Acute bronchitis

Question 1

What is acute bronchitis?

Answer 1

Self-limiting lower respiratory tract infection (RTI) characterised by inflammation of the bronchi

Question 2

What are the causative micro-organisms of acute bronchitis?

Answer 2

(Viruses > 90% of cases)Influenza A and B
Parainfluenza
Adenovirus
RSV
(Bacteria) Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophillus influenzae

Question 3

What are the clinical features of acute bronchitis?

Answer 3

Cough
> 5 days
Resolves in 2–3 weeks
Sputum
*Make sure it's not pneumonia

Question 4

How is acute bronchitis diagnosed?

Answer 4

Clinical diagnosis
(Auscultatory findings)Wheezing
Rhonchi (low pitch breath sounds)
Coarse crackles

Question 5

What is the treatment for acute bronchitis?

Answer 5

(Conservative) Smoking cessation (if appropriate)
Analgesia
Good fluid intake
(Antibiotics if systemically very unwell or have pre-existing co-morbidities, or have a CRP of 20-100mg/L) Amoxicillin