Acute bronchitis

Question 1

etiology?

Answer 1

preceding respiratory illness (90% viral).

Question 2

clinical presentation?

Answer 2

cough for > 5 days to 3 weeks (with or without yellow, blood-tinged/purulent sputum). Absent systemic findings ( Ex: fever, chills).
wheezing or Ronchi (crackles) so secretions clears with cough easily unlike pneumonia, chest wall tenderness, mild dyspnea.

Question 3

dx and tx?

Answer 3

clinical diagnosis, CXR only when pneumonia suspected.
it is a self-limiting, symptomatic treatment (ex: NSAIDs and/or bronchodilators).
antibiotics not recommended, no significant benefit including in acute bronchitis due to mycoplasma species, and has adverse effects.