Acute Bronchitis (Chest Cold)

If you’ve been coughing non-stop and feel soreness in your chest, you may have a chest cold.

Acute bronchitis or chest cold occurs when bronchial tubes, the airways of the lung, become inflamed and produce mucus. This causes cough along with shortness of breath, chest tightening, wheezing, and a low fever.

Most cases of chest cold last less than 3 weeks, but the cough can stay for longer even after the infection has subsided.

Causes

Acute bronchitis is most often caused by the same viruses that cause the flu and cold. The virus spreads through the air or through physical contact and first affects the nose, throat, and sinuses. Then, the infection spreads to the bronchial tubes. Your body starts fighting the virus, resulting in swelling and the production of mucus.

Other causes of acute bronchitis are bacteria, air pollution, tobacco smoke, fumes, dust, and vapors.

Note: Antibiotics are not recommended and won’t help you get better.

Get Started

Symptoms

Symptoms of acute bronchitis include:

  • Coughing
  • Mucus
  • Sore chest and throat
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Body ache
  • Wheezing
  • Fever

Home Care for Acute Bronchitis

Here’s what you can do while your body fights off the cold:

  • Rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids (lots of water)
  • Use a humidifier
  • Use a nasal spray
  • Breathe in steam
  • Use raw honey
  • Suck on lozenges

Prevention

You can prevent acute bronchitis by:

  • Washing hands with soap often
  • Quit smoking
  • Wearing a mask when using lung irritants
  • Getting a flu shot

Treatment

Most cases of acute bronchitis get better on their own (without antibiotics). However, if you’ve been experiencing:

  • Fever of 100.4 °F or higher
  • Bloody mucus upon coughing
  • Symptoms lasting longer than 3 weeks
  • or repeated cases of bronchitis,

You need to see a doctor to rule out anything severe. Book an appointment with MedTell today and get 24/7 medical services from professional doctors.