Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOTC MedicationsPrescriptionsComplementary Medicine
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies
OTC Medications
Prescriptions
Complementary Medicine
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Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Supportive care and symptom management are the primary treatment focus for acute bronchitis. In most cases, the infection just has to run its course.
Supportive care at home include:
Choosing the Best Humidifier
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies
Over-the-counter medications for cough can help with acute bronchitis. Examples of medication that can help control cough or clearmucusinclude:
When To See a DoctorYou should seek help from a healthcare professional for your cough if you have the following:Temperature of 100.4°F or greaterA cough with bloody mucusShortness of breath or trouble breathingA cough that lasts more than three weeksRecurrent episodes of bronchitis
When To See a Doctor
You should seek help from a healthcare professional for your cough if you have the following:Temperature of 100.4°F or greaterA cough with bloody mucusShortness of breath or trouble breathingA cough that lasts more than three weeksRecurrent episodes of bronchitis
You should seek help from a healthcare professional for your cough if you have the following:
Skip the Antibiotics for Acute Bronchitis
Rather than antibiotics, your doctor is more likely to prescribe medications that can help reduce inflammation and open the spaces in your airways. These include beta2agonists, a bronchodilator that typically comes in the form of an inhaler.
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Complementary and alternative medicines are popular when it comes to the treatment of colds and flus. The same goes for acute bronchitis.
There have been some studies into the use of African geranium preparations (Pelargonium sidoides) to treat acute bronchitis, but the quality of these studies is low.
Recent research on the use of ivy leaf (Hedera helix) has shown some benefit in treating acute bronchitis, although there are currently no formal recommendations in support of this treatment.
Instead, honey is viewed as a generally safe and effective alternative for manufactured medications.
Summary
Acute bronchitis doesn’t generally require treatment and resolves on its own. However, you can use over-the-counter medications to alleviate your symptoms, such as pain relievers and cough suppressants. The best things to do are getting plenty of rest and fluids and letting your infection run its course.
A Word From Verywell
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 94(7):560-565.Kruttschnitt E, et al.Assessment of the efficacy and safety of ivy leaf (Hedera helix) cough syrup compared with acetylcysteine in adults and children with acute bronchitis.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020. doi:10.1155/2020/1910656
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 94(7):560-565.Kruttschnitt E, et al.Assessment of the efficacy and safety of ivy leaf (Hedera helix) cough syrup compared with acetylcysteine in adults and children with acute bronchitis.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020. doi:10.1155/2020/1910656
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 94(7):560-565.Kruttschnitt E, et al.Assessment of the efficacy and safety of ivy leaf (Hedera helix) cough syrup compared with acetylcysteine in adults and children with acute bronchitis.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020. doi:10.1155/2020/1910656
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).
Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 94(7):560-565.
Kruttschnitt E, et al.Assessment of the efficacy and safety of ivy leaf (Hedera helix) cough syrup compared with acetylcysteine in adults and children with acute bronchitis.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020. doi:10.1155/2020/1910656
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