Acute Bronchitis

Question 1

What is acute bronchitis?

Answer 1

Acute bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract infection with temporary inflammation of the airways (the trachea and major bronchi) that causes cough and mucus production lasting for up to 3 weeks.

Question 2

What is the investigations needed for acute bronchitis?

Answer 2

Chest X-ray is not usually necessary, but may be helpful to rule out pneumonia.

Question 3

Difference between pneumonia and acute bronchitis?

Answer 3

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue in which the air sacs in the lungs become filled with microorganisms, fluid, and inflammatory cells, affecting the function of the lungs.
Bronchitis is inflammation or trachea and major bronchi

Question 4

Lay term for acute bronchitis?

Answer 4

Chest infection

Question 5

What is the treatment of acute bronchitis?

Answer 5

• Advising on self-care strategies.
• Smoking cessation
• Prescribing antibiotics - only if patient is systemically unwell