What is acute bronchitis?

When you have acute bronchitis, the air passages between your windpipe and your lungs are swollen and irritated. You have a bad cough and pain in your chest when you breathe deeply or cough.

How does it happen?

Acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, like the cold or flu. It can also be caused by bacteria.

Most of the time, it clears up in 2 to 4 days with treatment. It may take you longer to get better if:

• You smoke cigarettes.

• You have a heart or lung disease.

• You live in an area where air pollution is a problem.

• You have any other health problems.

What are the symptoms?

You may:

• Have a deep cough with yellowish or greenish phlegm.

• Feel pain behind your breastbone when you breathe deeply or cough.

• Wheeze or feel breathless.

• Have a fever or chills.

• Have a headache or sore muscles.

How do I know if I have it?

The health care provider will:

• Ask about what you have been feeling.

• Give you an exam.

He or she may want you to have a chest x-ray or other tests.

How can I take care of myself?

If you have acute bronchitis, you may need medicine, like antibiotics. It's very important to take all the medicine your health care provider prescribes for you.

Here are other ideas that can help:

• Ask your health care provider about taking medicine for cough, fever, headache or muscle pain.

• Drink plenty of liquids.

• Use a vaporizer, humidifier, or steam from hot water.

• Rest in bed.

• Eat healthy foods.

Call your health care provider if:

• You have trouble breathing.

• You have a fever over 101 degrees F.

• You cough up blood.

• You don't feel better in 3 days.

• You have any symptoms that worry you.

How can I help prevent acute bronchitis?

You can lower your chances of getting bronchitis when you:

• Don't smoke.

• Eat healthy foods.

• Exercise often.

• Wash your hands often.