Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Inacute bronchitis, the bronchi are inflamed because of an infection or environmental irritants, causing them to swell and make mucus. This leads to a cough and other symptoms like fever and fatigue.This article covers the typical symptoms of acute bronchitis as well as less common ones and when you should see a healthcare provider.Brothers91 / Getty ImagesFrequent SymptomsA cough with or without mucus is the most common symptom of acute bronchitis. Coughing can last several weeks, with some people experiencing the symptom for up to eight weeks.When you get a cough, you may:Not have mucus right awayLater see yellow or green mucus come up when coughingHave pain in the chest when coughing or breathing deeplyHave wheezing or noisy breathingHave a sore throatOther common symptoms of acute bronchitisare similar to those of a coldor the flu. Usually, these symptoms last only for a few days or up to a week. They include:Low fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit to 101 degrees Fahrenheit)Runny or stuffy noseFatigueSore musclesChillsBack painHeadacheSore Muscles and Acute BronchitisSometimes coughing can cause the symptom of sore muscles. You may notice the pain more in the chest, back, and stomach areas. This happens because you are using the muscles when you cough and are straining them.Rare SymptomsRare symptoms of acute bronchitis include:NauseaVomitingDiarrheaComplicationsIf you have lung problems—such asasthmaorchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—you are more likely to have complications from acute bronchitis and for it to turn into chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis can make your lung condition worse. For example, it can cause serious wheezing for someone who has asthma.Possible complications from acute bronchitis include:PneumoniaChronic bronchitisBleeding in the bronchiYou have a higher risk of developing pneumonia from acute bronchitis if you:Are younger than 2 years old or older than 65Take medications that suppress your immune systemHave lung problems such as COPDHave chronic health conditions such as heart, kidney, or liver diseaseHave problems swallowingAre receiving cancer treatmentSmokeDrink alcohol in excessHave limited mobilityAlthough acute bronchitis is more common in children, especially those less than 5 years old, it can affect all age groups. This is why it is important to pay attention to symptoms and seek medical care if you do not get better.When to See a Healthcare ProviderIn general, the symptoms of acute bronchitis should go away within two to three weeks. Usually, the illness goes away on its own. However, complications are possible.You may need to see a healthcare provider if your:Symptoms get worse or do not go awayCough lasts longer than two to three weeksFever is higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit and does not go away after three daysBody weight decreases without dietingSleep is disturbed for many days because of the coughingYou should also see a healthcare provider if you have frequent episodes of acute bronchitis. This may indicate that it has turned into a chronic condition, and you may need additional treatment. It can also be a sign that you haveCOPDor another lung condition.You should go to the hospital and seek immediate care if you:Cough up bloodHave serious problems breathingHave severe chest painPass outHave blue nails or lipsA Word From VerywellIt is possible for the symptoms of acute bronchitis to mimic other lung diseases in some cases. This is why it is important to talk to your healthcare provider and discuss all the symptoms you are experiencing. You should not feel embarrassed about any of your symptoms because healthcare providers are used to treating them.Most acute bronchitis cases can be treated at home and do not require hospitalization. You may be able to treat this condition with over-the-counter medications and home remedies. In general, the prognosis is good, with most people responding well to treatment and recovering without complications. However, in rare cases, complications from bronchitis are possible.You may be wondering if your symptoms indicate aCOVID-19infection orbronchitis. Ask your healthcare provider to order a test for COVID-19 and pay attention to your symptoms. In addition to a new cough, if you notice a loss of taste or smell and a high temperature, tell your healthcare provider.
Inacute bronchitis, the bronchi are inflamed because of an infection or environmental irritants, causing them to swell and make mucus. This leads to a cough and other symptoms like fever and fatigue.
This article covers the typical symptoms of acute bronchitis as well as less common ones and when you should see a healthcare provider.
Brothers91 / Getty Images
A cough with or without mucus is the most common symptom of acute bronchitis. Coughing can last several weeks, with some people experiencing the symptom for up to eight weeks.
When you get a cough, you may:
Other common symptoms of acute bronchitisare similar to those of a coldor the flu. Usually, these symptoms last only for a few days or up to a week. They include:
Sore Muscles and Acute BronchitisSometimes coughing can cause the symptom of sore muscles. You may notice the pain more in the chest, back, and stomach areas. This happens because you are using the muscles when you cough and are straining them.
Sore Muscles and Acute Bronchitis
Sometimes coughing can cause the symptom of sore muscles. You may notice the pain more in the chest, back, and stomach areas. This happens because you are using the muscles when you cough and are straining them.
Rare symptoms of acute bronchitis include:
If you have lung problems—such asasthmaorchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—you are more likely to have complications from acute bronchitis and for it to turn into chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis can make your lung condition worse. For example, it can cause serious wheezing for someone who has asthma.
Possible complications from acute bronchitis include:
You have a higher risk of developing pneumonia from acute bronchitis if you:
Although acute bronchitis is more common in children, especially those less than 5 years old, it can affect all age groups. This is why it is important to pay attention to symptoms and seek medical care if you do not get better.
In general, the symptoms of acute bronchitis should go away within two to three weeks. Usually, the illness goes away on its own. However, complications are possible.
You may need to see a healthcare provider if your:
You should also see a healthcare provider if you have frequent episodes of acute bronchitis. This may indicate that it has turned into a chronic condition, and you may need additional treatment. It can also be a sign that you haveCOPDor another lung condition.
You should go to the hospital and seek immediate care if you:
A Word From Verywell
It is possible for the symptoms of acute bronchitis to mimic other lung diseases in some cases. This is why it is important to talk to your healthcare provider and discuss all the symptoms you are experiencing. You should not feel embarrassed about any of your symptoms because healthcare providers are used to treating them.
Most acute bronchitis cases can be treated at home and do not require hospitalization. You may be able to treat this condition with over-the-counter medications and home remedies. In general, the prognosis is good, with most people responding well to treatment and recovering without complications. However, in rare cases, complications from bronchitis are possible.
You may be wondering if your symptoms indicate aCOVID-19infection orbronchitis. Ask your healthcare provider to order a test for COVID-19 and pay attention to your symptoms. In addition to a new cough, if you notice a loss of taste or smell and a high temperature, tell your healthcare provider.
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.MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acute bronchitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).
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.MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acute bronchitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).
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.
MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acute bronchitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).
MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acute bronchitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).
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