Acute bronchitis Flashcards
1
Q
Features
A
Cough and sputum (main symptoms)
Wheeze and dyspnoea (fever or haemoptysis uncommon)
Usually viral infection
Can complicate chronic bronchitis usu. due to;
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
Scattered wheezes on auscultation ± fever or haemoptysis (uncommon)
2
Q
Outcome
A
Improves spontaneously in 4–8 d in healthy patients.
3
Q
Treatment
A
Symptomatic treatment
Inhaled bronchodilators for airflow limitation
Antibiotics usually not needed, esp. if previously healthy
Use antibiotics if evidence of acute bacterial infection with;
- fever
- purulent sputum
Amoxycillin 500 mg tds for 5 d;
Doxycycline 200 mg stat, then 100 mg/d for 5 d if mycoplasma suspected
4
Q
A