But if you've been coughing and feeling tired for more than two weeks, your cold might have turned into acute bronchitis. Bronchitis, also called a chest cold, is when the airways of the lungs become irritated, and swell and produce excess mucus which causes a persistent cough.
Acute bronchitis often develops three to four days after a cold or the flu. It may start with a dry cough, then after a few days the coughing spells may bring up mucus. Most people get over an acute bout of bronchitis in two to three weeks, although the cough can sometimes hang on for four weeks or more.
Acute bronchitis may come after a common cold or other viral infections in the upper respiratory tract. It may also occur in people with chronic sinusitis, allergies, or those with enlarged tonsils and adenoids. It can be serious in people with lung or heart diseases.
Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), causing them to become irritated and inflamed. The main symptom is a cough, which may bring up yellow-grey mucus (phlegm). Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat and wheezing.
A bronchitis cough sounds like a rattle with a wheezing or whistling sound. As your condition progresses, you will first have a dry cough that can then progress towards coughing up white mucus.
Acute bronchitis usually gets better on its own—without antibiotics. Antibiotics won't help you get better if you have acute bronchitis.
Symptoms of acute bronchitis typically start with a runny nose, sore throat, productive cough, and low-grade fever. Three or four days later, a dry, hacking cough may develop. Most cases of acute bronchitis last between three and 10 days.
Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own in 7 to 10 days. You should call your doctor if: You continue to wheeze and cough for more than 2 weeks, especially at night when you lie down or when you are active. You continue to cough for more than 2 weeks and have a bad-tasting fluid come up into your mouth.
Acute bronchitis will usually go away on its own and can be treated at home with rest, NSAIDS, and enough fluids.
When to See Your Doctor. On average, the symptoms of acute bronchitis last only a couple of weeks. However, if you have a cough that won't go away, or if you get sick with bronchitis frequently, it may be the sign of a more serious disease and you should visit your doctor.
How to diagnose bronchitis. First, we perform a physical examination and take your medical history. Next, we may order a chest x-ray or a lung test that tests the capacity, health, and function of your lungs. Our radiology suite in Los Angeles, CA contains state-of-the-art equipment with a certified radiologist on site ...
Signs and symptoms of a chest infection
a persistent cough. coughing up yellow or green phlegm (thick mucus), or coughing up blood. breathlessness or rapid and shallow breathing. wheezing.
Bronchitis itself isn't contagious, but some of its causes are. If your bronchitis is caused by a virus, you can be contagious for a few days to a week.
Small amounts of white mucus may be coughed up if the bronchitis is viral. If the color of the mucus changes to green or yellow, it may be a sign that a bacterial infection has also set in. The cough is usually the last symptom to clear up and may last for weeks.
Acute bronchitis, also called a chest cold, usually improves within a week to 10 days without lasting effects, although the cough may linger for weeks. However, if you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, you may have chronic bronchitis, which requires medical attention.
Acute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, which makes it harder to breathe. Other symptoms of bronchitis are a cough and coughing up mucus.
The incubation period lasts around three to four days after exposure to the virus. You will develop symptoms at the end of the incubation period, and will remain contagious until your symptoms resolve. If you have symptoms of bronchitis, stay home to avoid spreading your viral infection to others.
Acute bronchitis can turn into pneumonia if not treated, as the infection can spread to the lungs. This is what makes it so important to have a doctor check for bronchitis if you keep coughing. Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed if you have a cough lasting at least three months for two or more years in a row.
With chronic bronchitis, the coughing is usually worse early in the morning and at night, says Dr. Holguin. “It becomes a part of everyday life,” says Holguin.
This condition causes a cough that's often called smoker's cough. It also causes you to cough up mucus, wheeze, and have chest discomfort. These may get worse over time and lead to severe breathing problems. Tests that help measure how well your lungs are working are used to diagnose chronic bronchitis.
Whatever else you do, don't smoke or be around anyone who is smoking or smells like smoke. The smoke will only make your cough worse. Bronchitis often clears up within a week or so, but the cough can stick around for weeks, or even months later, especially if you have a lung problem.
Treatment for Acute Bronchitis
Bronchodilators: If you experience wheezing or if you have asthma or a history of COPD or other respiratory conditions, a medical provider might prescribe a bronchodilator in the form of an inhaler. Albuterol is the most commonly prescribed inhaler.
The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough. This is usually a dry cough at first, but it may later develop into a phlegmy cough, where you cough up mucus (sputum). Doctors call this a "productive" cough.