Practice updates

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi). It causes them to become irritated and inflamed.

Most cases of bronchitis can be treated at home.

Bronchitis can affect people of all ages. It’s most common in children under the age of 5. It’s more common in winter, and often develops after a cold, sore throat or flu.

Symptoms of bronchitis

The main symptom is a hacking cough, which may bring up yellow-green mucus (phlegm). Bronchitis may also cause:

When to get medical advice

Immediate action required: Phone 999 or go to A&E if:

  • you have severe difficulty breathing – for example, you struggle to speak without pausing, gasping or choking
  • you have severe chest pain in the middle of your chest that isn’t going away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing
  • you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
  • you feel more drowsy than usual or find it more difficult to wake up
  • your lips or skin are turning pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin this is easier to see on the palms of your hands

Urgent advice: Contact your GP practice urgently if you:

  • are more short of breath than usual
  • have pain when breathing in or coughing
  • are feeling confused, dizzy, or lightheaded
  • feel sick or are being sick – for example, you can’t keep food or fluids down
  • are coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
  • have heart palpitations – this may feel like your heart is racing, going too slowly or skipping a beat or like a fluttering feeling in your chest
  • are peeing less than usual – this can be a sign of dehydration
  • have a very high or low temperature – for example, you feel either hot or cold to touch or you’re shivering

If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.

Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP practice if:

  • you have breathlessness which is not improving
  • you have had a cough for more than 3 weeks
  • your symptoms are not improving or they are affecting your daily life

 

Treatment for bronchitis

In most cases, bronchitis will clear up by itself within a few weeks without needing treatment. This type of bronchitis is known as acute bronchitis.

Do

  • drink lots of fluid
  • get plenty of rest
  • stop smoking if you smoke
  • avoid smoky environments
  • take paracetamol to help headaches, fever and pain – always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
  • try making a honey and lemon drink to help soothe a sore throat and ease your cough

Your cough may last for several weeks after other symptoms have gone. You may also find that the continual coughing makes your chest and stomach muscles sore.

Complications of bronchitis

Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. It happens when the infection spreads further into the lungs, causing air sacs inside the lungs to fill up with fluid.

People at an increased risk of developing pneumonia include:

  • elderly people
  • people who smoke
  • people with other health conditions, such as heart, liver or kidney disease
  • people with a weakened immune system

Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home. More severe cases may need treatment in hospital.