Acute bronchitis Flashcards
What is acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is a type of chest infection that is usually self-limiting, resulting from inflammation of the trachea and major bronchi.
What are the common symptoms of acute bronchitis?
Patients typically present with an acute onset of cough (may or may not be productive), sore throat, rhinorrhoea, and wheeze.
What is the typical duration of acute bronchitis?
The disease course usually resolves before 3 weeks; however, 25% of patients will still have a cough beyond this time.
What is the leading cause of acute bronchitis?
Viral infection is accepted as the leading cause of acute bronchitis.
When do most episodes of acute bronchitis occur?
Around 80% of episodes occur in autumn or winter.
What are the examination findings in acute bronchitis?
The majority of patients have a normal chest examination, but some may present with low-grade fever and wheeze.
How can acute bronchitis be differentiated from pneumonia?
In acute bronchitis, sputum, wheeze, and breathlessness may be absent, while at least one tends to be present in pneumonia. No other focal chest signs are present in acute bronchitis.
What investigations are typically done for acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is typically a clinical diagnosis, but CRP testing may be used to guide antibiotic therapy.
What is the management for acute bronchitis?
Management includes analgesia, good fluid intake, and considering antibiotic therapy if patients are systemically unwell or have specific CRP levels.
What is the first-line antibiotic recommended for acute bronchitis?
The BNF currently recommends doxycycline as the first-line antibiotic.
Who cannot use doxycycline?
Doxycycline cannot be used in children or pregnant women.
What is an alternative antibiotic for acute bronchitis?
An alternative to doxycycline is amoxicillin.
