Acute bronchitis

Question 1

What is acute bronchitis?

Answer 1

A chest infection (that is usually self limiting) caused by inflammation of the trachea and major bronchi

Question 2

What is the presentation of acute bronchitis?

Answer 2

Cough - may or may not be productive
Sore throat
Rhinorrhoea
Wheeze
Low grade fever

Question 3

How is acute bronchitis differentiated from pneumonia?

Answer 3

Sputum, wheeze and breathlessness are more common in pneumonia

No focal chest signs in acute bronchitis other than wheeze

Systemic symptoms are more common in pneumonia

Question 4

What is the first line management of acute bronchitis?

Answer 4

Analgesia
Good fluid intake

Question 5

When are antibiotics considered for acute bronchitis?

Answer 5

If patients are:
- Systemically very unwell
- Have pre-existing co-morbidities
- Have a CRP of 20-100

Question 6

What is the first line antibiotic for acute bronchitis?

Answer 6

Doxycycline
- Amoxicillin in children and pregnant women