Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), causing them to become irritated and inflamed.
The main airways branch off on either side of your windpipe (trachea). They lead to smaller and smaller airways inside your lungs, known as bronchioles.
The walls of the bronchi produce mucus to trap dust and other particles that could otherwise cause irritation.
Most cases of bronchitis develop when an infection irritates and inflames the bronchi, causing them to produce more mucus than usual. Your body tries to shift this extra mucus through coughing.
Bronchitis can be described as being either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis.
Acute bronchitis is temporary inflammation of the airways that causes a cough and mucus. It lasts up to 3 weeks.
It can affect people of all ages, but mostly happens in children under the age of 5.
It's more common in winter and often comes on after a common cold, sore throat or the flu.
Chronic bronchitis is a daily productive cough that lasts for 3 months of the year and for at least 2 years in a row.
It's 1 of a number of lung conditions, including emphysema, that are collectively known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It mostly affects adults over the age of 40.
It's important that you stop smoking if you have bronchitis.
Cigarette smoke and the chemicals in cigarettes make bronchitis worse and increase your risk of developing chronic bronchitis and COPD.
Symptoms of bronchitis
The main symptoms of acute bronchitis is a hacking cough, which may bring up clear, yellow-grey or greenish mucus (phlegm).
Other symptoms are similar to those of the common cold or sinusitis, and may include:
- a sore throat
- a headache
- a runny or blocked nose
- aches and pains
- tiredness
If you have acute bronchitis, your cough may last for several weeks after other symptoms have gone.
You may also find that the continual coughing makes your chest and stomach muscles sore.
Some people may experience shortness of breath or wheezing, due to inflamed airways.
But this is more common with long-term (chronic) bronchitis.
When to see a GP
Most cases of acute bronchitis can be easily treated at home with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and plenty of fluids.
You only need to see your GP if your symptoms are severe or unusual.
For example, see a GP if:
- your cough is severe or lasts longer than 3 weeks
- you have a high temperature for more than 3 days - this may be a sign of flu or a more serious condition, such as pneumonia
- you cough up mucus streaked with blood
- you have an underlying heart or lung condition, such as asthma, heart failure or emphysema
- you're becoming more breathless
- you have had repeated episodes of bronchitis
A GP may need to rule out other lung infections, such as pneumonia, which has symptoms similar to those of bronchitis.
If a GP thinks you may have pneumonia, you'll probably need a chest X-ray, and a sample of mucus may be taken for testing.
If a GP thinks you might have an underlying condition, they may also suggest that you have a lung function test.
You'll be asked to take a deep breath and blow into a device called a spirometer, which measures the volume of air in your lungs.
Decreased lung capacity can indicate an underlying health problem.
Causes of bronchitis
Viral and bacterial infections
Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. Less often, it's caused by a bacteria.
In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu.
The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.
These droplets typically spread about 1m. They hang suspended in the air for a while, then land on surfaces where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours.
Anyone who touches these surfaces can spread the virus further by touching something else.
Find out more about how cold and flu germs spread
Breathing in irritant substances
Bronchitis can also be triggered by breathing in irritant substances, such as smog, chemicals in household products or tobacco smoke.
Smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis, and it can affect people who inhale secondhand smoke, as well as those who smoke themselves.
People with chronic bronchitis often develop another smoking-related lung disease called emphysema - where the air sacs inside the lungs become damaged, causing shortness of breath.
If you smoke, try to stop straight away as smoking aggravates bronchitis and increases your risk of developing emphysema.
Stopping smoking while you have bronchitis can also be the perfect opportunity to quit altogether.
Find out more about stop smoking treatments
Occupational exposure
You may also be at risk of developing chronic bronchitis and other types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) if you're often exposed to materials that can damage your lungs, such as:
- grain dust
- textiles (fabric fibres)
- ammonia
- strong acids
- chlorine
This is sometimes known as "occupational bronchitis", and it usually eases once you're no longer exposed to the irritant substance.
Treating bronchitis
In most cases, acute bronchitis will clear up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment.
In the meantime, you should drink lots of fluid and get plenty of rest.
In some cases, the symptoms of bronchitis can last much longer. If symptoms last for at least 3 months, it's known as chronic bronchitis.
There's no cure for chronic bronchitis, but some lifestyle changes can help ease your symptoms, such as:
There are several medicines to relieve symptoms.
Medicines called bronchodilators and steroids "open up" the airways and can be prescribed as an inhaler or as tablets.
Mucolytic medicines thin the mucus in the lungs making it easier to cough up.
Managing symptoms at home
If you have acute bronchitis:
- get plenty of rest
- drink lots of fluid - this helps prevent dehydration and thins the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough up
- treat headaches, a high temperature, and aches and pains with paracetamol or ibuprofen - although ibuprofen isn't recommended if you have asthma
- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities
Beware of cough medicines
There's little evidence that cough medicines work.
Find out more about treating coughs
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recommended that over-the-counter cough medicines should not be given to children under the age of 6.
Children aged 6 to 12 should only use them on the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.
As an alternative to an over-the-counter cough medicine, try making your own mixture of honey and lemon, which can help soothe a sore throat and ease your cough.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are not routinely prescribed for bronchitis because it's normally caused by a virus.
Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and prescribing them when they're unnecessary can, over time, make bacteria more resistant to antibiotic treatment.
Find out more about antibiotic resistance
A GP will only prescribe antibiotics if you have an increased risk of developing complications, such as pneumonia.
Antibiotics may also be recommended for:
- premature babies
- elderly people over the age of 80
- people with a history of heart, lung, kidney or liver disease
- people with a weakened immune system, which could be a result of an underlying condition or a side effect of a treatment like steroids
- people with cystic fibrosis
If you're prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis, it's likely to be a 5-day course of amoxicillin or doxycycline.
Side effects of these drugs are uncommon, but include feeling sick, being sick and diarrhoea.
Complications of bronchitis
Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis.
It happens when the infection spreads further into the lungs, causing the tiny air sacs inside the lungs to fill up with fluid.
About 1 in 20 cases of bronchitis lead to pneumonia.
People at an increased risk of developing pneumonia include:
- elderly people
- people who smoke
- people with other health conditons, such as heart, liver or kidney disease
- people with a weakened immune system
Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home. More severe cases may require admission to hospital.