Acute bronchitis

Question 1

Define acute bronchitis

Answer 1

Self-limiting lower respiratory tract infection

Bronchitis = infection causing inflammation in the bronchial airways
Pneumonia = infection in the lung parenchyma → consolidation of the affected segment or lobe

Question 2

Aetiology and risk factors of acute bronchitis

Answer 2

Viral infections: coronavirus, rhinovirus, RSV, adenovirus
Bacterial: chlamydia pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumoniae, bordetella bronchiseptica

Viral or atypical bacterial infection exposure
Cigarettes smoking
Household pollution exposure

Question 3

Symptoms and signs of acute bronchitis

Answer 3

Cough (Productive, <30 days)
Fever
Wheeze
Rhonchi

Question 4

Investigations for acute bronchitis

Answer 4

Clinical diagnosis

CRP: ?pneumonia or need for abx
<20 mg/L (no antibiotics)
20-100 mg/L (delayed antibiotics)
>100 mg/L (immediate antibiotics)

CXR: ?pneumonia

Question 5

Management for acute bronchitis

Answer 5

Observation
Paracetamol
Wheeze: SABA
Antitussive: dextromethorphan

<20 mg/L (no antibiotics)
20-100 mg/L (delayed antibiotics)
>100 mg/L (immediate antibiotics)
ABx = doxycycline