Bronchitis

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis means the airways in your lungs become swollen and irritated. This usually happens when you catch an infection, often after a cold or flu. Your airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs.

Most people get better from bronchitis without any treatment in about 3 weeks. However, some people have long-term swelling in their airways - this is called long-term (chronic) bronchitis, which is part of a lung condition known as COPD.

What are the symptoms?

Bronchitis symptoms are quite similar to having a cold or flu:

• A cough - you might cough up clear, white, yellow or green mucus (phlegm)
• Chest pain when you cough
• Feeling out of breath
• A sore throat
• A runny nose
• A high temperature (fever)

How to help yourself feel better

Because bronchitis is often caused by infections that spread through coughing and sneezing, there are things you can do to feel better and stop others getting ill:

Do:

• Get plenty of rest - stay at home if you have a temperature or feel too unwell
• Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and to bring down your temperature
• Try adding honey to a warm drink to soothe your throat (never give honey to babies under 1 year old)
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue
• Throw used tissues away quickly
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water

Don't:

• Smoke - this will make your symptoms worse

When to speak to your GP urgently

Contact your GP urgently or call NHS 111 if you have:

• A cough that's lasted more than 3 weeks
• Blood in your cough or blood-stained mucus
• Chest pain that comes and goes, especially when breathing or coughing
• You're over 65 years old
• You're pregnant
• You have a long-term condition like diabetes, or heart, lung or kidney problems
• You have a weakened immune system
• You feel too unwell to do your normal daily activities
• You're feeling very out of breath

When to call 999 immediately

Call 999 straight away if you have:

• Severe breathing problems - you're choking, gasping and can't speak
• Blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue (on brown or black skin, look at lips, tongue, gums, under nails or around eyes)
• Sudden confusion - you don't know where you are
• Your baby won't wake up or feels floppy

Don't drive yourself to A&E - the 999 operator will tell you what to do.

Treatment

Most cases of bronchitis clear up on their own in about 3 weeks without needing any special treatment. Speak to your GP if your symptoms last longer than this.

Sometimes, if your bronchitis is caused by bacteria rather than a virus, your GP might prescribe antibiotics. However, most cases are caused by viruses, so antibiotics won't help.

Remember, if you're worried about your symptoms or they're getting worse, always speak to your GP for advice.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.