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Experiences with

Bronchitis

Check if you have bronchitis

Symptoms of bronchitis can be similar to a cold or flu.

Symptoms include:

  • a cough – you may cough up clear, white, yellow or green mucus
  • chest pain when coughing
  • shortness of breath
  • a sore throat
  • a runny nose
  • a high temperature

Things you can do to help with bronchitis

There are some things you can do to ease the symptoms of bronchitis and reduce the risk of spreading infections to other people.

  • get plenty of rest – try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities

  • drink plenty of fluids

  • take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain and bring down a high temperature

  • try adding honey to a warm drink to help soothe your throat (do not give honey to babies under 1)

  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze – put used tissues in the bin as quickly as possible

  • wash your hands regularly with water and soap

  • do not smoke

  • you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks
  • you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus
  • you have chest pain that comes and goes, or when breathing or coughing
  • you're over 65
  • you're pregnant
  • you have a long-term condition, such as diabetes, or a heart, lung or kidney condition
  • you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have a condition that affects the immune system, or you're having chemotherapy
  • you feel very unwell

  • you are struggling to breathe – you are choking, gasping and unable to speak
  • you have pale, blue or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the lips, tongue or gums, under the nails or around the eyes
  • you suddenly feel confused – for example, you do not know where you are
  • you're unable to wake your baby or they feel floppy

Treatments for bronchitis

Bronchitis usually clears up without treatment in around 3 weeks. See a GP if your symptoms last longer than 3 weeks.

You may need antibiotics if your bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection.

Symptoms of bronchitis include a cough (which may have clear, white, yellow or green mucus), shortness of breath and a high temperature.

You can ease the symptoms of bronchitis with rest, painkillers, and by drinking plenty of fluids. Try to stay at home to avoid spreading it.

Bronchitis usually gets better on its own without treatment in around 3 weeks. You may need antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection.

Related links

Bronchitis

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1,150 public posts

chronic bronchitis. Can’t seem to get rid of it On inhaler. Nebulizer singular. Flonase. Allergy pill. Cough med. And antibiotics

chronic bronchitis. Can’t get rid of it. On inhaler. Nebulizer. Flonase. Singular. Cough meds. Allergy pill Now I think I have pleurisy. Help
chronic bronchitis. Can’t get rid of it. On inhaler. Nebulizer. Flonase. Singular. Cough meds. Allergy pill Now I think I have pleurisy. Help
Fuscojo profile image
Fuscojo
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
4 months ago

Acute Bronchitis advise

I have bad asthma and 95% of the time my regular colds turn into bronchitis. With wearing masks I have not had a cold or bronchitis for 2.5+ years. I am now on day 9 of bronchitis and was wondering if anyone can tell me how long the wheezing and lungs full of phlegm usually last with bronchitis?
I have bad asthma and 95% of the time my regular colds turn into bronchitis. With wearing masks I have not had a cold or bronchitis for 2.5+ years. I am now on day 9 of bronchitis and was wondering if anyone can tell me how long the wheezing and lungs full of phlegm usually last with bronchitis?
AnxiousCanadianChic profile image
AnxiousCanadianChic
in Asthma Community Forum
7 months ago

I have COPD

Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis
Bliss2 profile image
Bliss2
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
4 months ago
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bronchitis

medication to help thin mucus on chest, to help remove mucus easier
medication to help thin mucus on chest, to help remove mucus easier
Sc99By542 profile image
Sc99By542
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
9 months ago

bronchitis amoxicillin

hi everyone I’m new to this forum I’ve just been diagnosed with bronchitis by my GP and put on a course of antibiotics amoxicillin 500 3 times a day , I’ve only had one days course so far , when will they kick in or I start to feel better the lack of sleep is unbearable, and coughing through the night
hi everyone I’m new to this forum I’ve just been diagnosed with bronchitis by my GP and put on a course of antibiotics amoxicillin 500 3 times a day , I’ve only had one days course so far , when will they kick in or I start to feel better the lack of sleep is unbearable, and coughing through the night
Bluey43 profile image
Bluey43
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
8 months ago

Covid Antivirals

I don’t have copd but fairly full on chronic bronchitis. I’m concerned that it’l be a rough dose . Whats the criteria for getting antivirals for covid?
I don’t have copd but fairly full on chronic bronchitis. I’m concerned that it’l be a rough dose . Whats the criteria for getting antivirals for covid?
PW_R profile image
PW_R
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
18 days ago

nebuliser recommendations?

Thought it may help to clear some much (chronic bronchitis) as I seem to be tied all the time lately- chest feel tighter, wheezier etc Do people find nubulised saline effective at all?
Thought it may help to clear some much (chronic bronchitis) as I seem to be tied all the time lately- chest feel tighter, wheezier etc Do people find nubulised saline effective at all?
PW_R profile image
PW_R
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
24 days ago

Chemo mucositis?

After chemo session #5 I thought I had bronchitis; coughing up very thick mucus from down deep in the chest, but it cleared up in about 10 days, and is back again after chemo #6, so I'm guessing it's chemo induced mucositis.
After chemo session #5 I thought I had bronchitis; coughing up very thick mucus from down deep in the chest, but it cleared up in about 10 days, and is back again after chemo #6, so I'm guessing it's chemo induced mucositis.
Gl448 profile image
Gl448
in Advanced Prostate Cancer
1 month ago

Brown Inhaler side effects.

Using a brown inhaler twice a day for post viral bronchitis, started using it a week ago. Now have bacterial Pharyngitis and little voice, feel absolutely awful. Antibiotics just started. Should I carry on using my inhaler? Could my brown inhaler be affecting my voice.
Using a brown inhaler twice a day for post viral bronchitis, started using it a week ago. Now have bacterial Pharyngitis and little voice, feel absolutely awful. Antibiotics just started. Should I carry on using my inhaler? Could my brown inhaler be affecting my voice.
Ellapoodle profile image
Ellapoodle
in Asthma Community Forum
3 months ago

Non obstructive chronic bronchitis

In hindsight possibly bronchitis with each cold. Consultant now agrees this looks like chronic bronchitis without obstruction. Prescribed forstair, didn’t do much. About to start Relva. Use vetolin as & when. Not dealing too well with it - very deflated.
In hindsight possibly bronchitis with each cold. Consultant now agrees this looks like chronic bronchitis without obstruction. Prescribed forstair, didn’t do much. About to start Relva. Use vetolin as & when. Not dealing too well with it - very deflated.
PW_R profile image
PW_R
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
7 months ago

Dronedarone(Multaq) and lungfibrosis

My kidney and liver function tests were ok but during the last few years I developed a persistent dry cough and recurrent bouts of bronchitis.
My kidney and liver function tests were ok but during the last few years I developed a persistent dry cough and recurrent bouts of bronchitis.
Nyhyttan123 profile image
Nyhyttan123
in AF Association
1 month ago

Long Covid and Breathlessness

I had an episode of acute bronchitis in October. Was hospitalised and treated with IV antibiotics. First time I have ever had a chest infection: I have had a cardio review and all is normal. He gave me the brown and blue inhalers to try which made a significant difference.
I had an episode of acute bronchitis in October. Was hospitalised and treated with IV antibiotics. First time I have ever had a chest infection: I have had a cardio review and all is normal. He gave me the brown and blue inhalers to try which made a significant difference.
pussycatwillow profile image
pussycatwillow
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
3 months ago

Enerzair Inhaler

It’s a bit disconcerting to be on what appears to be a pretty strong inhaler a year into chronic bronchitis. I feel it leaves little room to up the meds.
It’s a bit disconcerting to be on what appears to be a pretty strong inhaler a year into chronic bronchitis. I feel it leaves little room to up the meds.
PW_R profile image
PW_R
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
9 days ago

covid (any benefit to azithromycin)

*I have quite symptomatic chronic bronchitis (not copd yet as not under .70 - I’m sure it’s only a matter of time given the quantity of gunk, wheeze, tightness, constant fatigue - covid aside).
*I have quite symptomatic chronic bronchitis (not copd yet as not under .70 - I’m sure it’s only a matter of time given the quantity of gunk, wheeze, tightness, constant fatigue - covid aside).
PW_R profile image
PW_R
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
16 days ago

When to start Antibiotics when get bad cold when on W and Wait

After 2 weeks I was given antibiotics. 2 weeks ago I got possibly same infection back with now just bronchitis. I have been expecting it to go away but not yet. Should I not take antibiotics, have them ready, for this or next flu episode.
After 2 weeks I was given antibiotics. 2 weeks ago I got possibly same infection back with now just bronchitis. I have been expecting it to go away but not yet. Should I not take antibiotics, have them ready, for this or next flu episode.
Marchmouse profile image
Marchmouse
in CLL Support
1 month ago

Severe Cold, to Bronchitis; PMR has not returned

A week later I had Bronchitis for the first time in my life and starting with week 3 my GP put me on a Prednisone routine of 40 mg, 30, 20, 10 over a course of 10 days.
A week later I had Bronchitis for the first time in my life and starting with week 3 my GP put me on a Prednisone routine of 40 mg, 30, 20, 10 over a course of 10 days.
Boss302Fan profile image
Boss302Fan
in PMRGCAuk
3 months ago

lung issues

Just diagnosed with it, besides chronic bronchitis, costochrondritis, yearly pneumonia, and asthma.
Just diagnosed with it, besides chronic bronchitis, costochrondritis, yearly pneumonia, and asthma.
agapepilgrim profile image
agapepilgrim
in My MSAA Community
9 months ago

Bronchitis, hospitalization and pancytopenia

hi everyone, I am currently on peg 45mcg/week and somehow got a nasty bronchitis that I was unable to shake. I was sent by my GP to the hospital ER to receive IV antibiotics and they decided to admit me because of my past history of having a heart attack and current stent (that’s another story).
hi everyone, I am currently on peg 45mcg/week and somehow got a nasty bronchitis that I was unable to shake. I was sent by my GP to the hospital ER to receive IV antibiotics and they decided to admit me because of my past history of having a heart attack and current stent (that’s another story).
leefsu97 profile image
leefsu97
in MPN Voice
9 months ago

Weight loss with emphysema

Interested to learn some of the experiences of those of you with primarily emphysema (rather than chronic bronchitis which doesnt seem to have the same problem). And second question: how can I put on weight? Any tips welcome!
Interested to learn some of the experiences of those of you with primarily emphysema (rather than chronic bronchitis which doesnt seem to have the same problem). And second question: how can I put on weight? Any tips welcome!
O2Trees profile image
O2Trees
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
25 days ago

Jelly legs……..

Had to stop Filgotinib three weeks ago as have been felled by bronchitis. Don’t normally -and luckily - suffer any chest infections or colds but this has been really vicious. Am getting over it but have legs like jelly and a head like a sponge if I attempt to do anything very much.
Had to stop Filgotinib three weeks ago as have been felled by bronchitis. Don’t normally -and luckily - suffer any chest infections or colds but this has been really vicious. Am getting over it but have legs like jelly and a head like a sponge if I attempt to do anything very much.
Amnesiac3637 profile image
Amnesiac3637
in NRAS
2 months ago
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