Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Asthmatic Bronchitis?Signs and SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentOutlookFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Asthmatic Bronchitis?
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook
Frequently Asked Questions
When people with asthma get viral infections, it can increase their risk of getting asthmatic bronchitis.This is a condition where a person withasthmadevelopsacute bronchitis. Typically, acute bronchitis will go away within a week.However, chronic bronchitis does not go away and can cause severe problems for someone with asthma.
This article will review the causes of acute bronchitis, what signs to look out for, and the difference between acute and chronic bronchitis.
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Asthma is a lung condition that causesbronchiolesor airways to become inflamed. When this happens, they narrow, making it harder to breathe.
Bronchitis is very similar to asthma. It causes inflammation in your bronchioles, but there is a build-up of mucus that also causes them to narrow. The two types of bronchitis are acute and chronic.
When you have asthma, your risk of developing bronchitis increases. Asthmatic bronchitis happens when these conditions occur at the same time. The combination may make symptoms worse than usual.
Classic symptoms of bronchitis include:
Fever and lethargy are less common in bronchitis. If you are experiencing these symptoms in additional to a productive cough, wheezing, and chest congestion, it may be a sign of pneumonia.
Additional risk factors for developing bronchitis include smoking, allergies, family history of lung disease, andgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
If you are having symptoms of shortness of breath, or increase use of your regular asthma mediations, or not having relief of symptoms with your usual asthma medication, seek immediate medical attention
At first, asthmatic bronchitis may seem like just a cold. When symptoms get worse, it’s time to see your healthcare provider. You will be asked questions about your symptoms and have a physical examination that will include listening to your breathing.
A health provider will consider other diagnoses. They will check oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate and complete vital signs if they are concerned about a more serious diagnosis, such as pulmonary embolism or heart failure.
Sometimes tests are run to verify a diagnosis. They include:
Treatment Options
While acute bronchitis can go away on its own, asthmatic bronchitis may require treatment. Options include:
Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medications or if symptoms last for more than a week. You may be prescribed antibiotics if you are diagnosed with a bacterial infection.
Get Your Yearly Flu ShotPeople with asthma are at a higher risk of experiencing dangerous symptoms of influenza (commonly called “the flu”). Getting your annual flu shot is an important preventive measure to help prevent the flu and keep you from developing serious complications if you end up getting it.Learn More:Types of Flu Shots
Get Your Yearly Flu Shot
People with asthma are at a higher risk of experiencing dangerous symptoms of influenza (commonly called “the flu”). Getting your annual flu shot is an important preventive measure to help prevent the flu and keep you from developing serious complications if you end up getting it.Learn More:Types of Flu Shots
People with asthma are at a higher risk of experiencing dangerous symptoms of influenza (commonly called “the flu”). Getting your annual flu shot is an important preventive measure to help prevent the flu and keep you from developing serious complications if you end up getting it.
Learn More:Types of Flu Shots
If you have asthma and get a viral infection, pay close attention to any new or worsening symptoms to avoid acute bronchitis. If symptoms keep happening or don’t ever go away, your healthcare provider will see if you have chronic bronchitis or another type of lung disease.
Summary
Asthmatic bronchitis occurs when someone with asthma develops acute bronchitis. Because both asthma and bronchitis cause airways to become inflamed and narrow, symptoms can be intense.
The two types of bronchitis are acute and chronic. Symptoms include a cough that brings up mucus, fatigue, wheezing, and a low-grade fever. Acute bronchitis often goes away on its own within a week. Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) with a cough that can last several months.
Asthmatic bronchitis is usually acute and will go away after several days. If you still have symptoms after a week, you may have a bacterial infection or other lung condition.
You can treat asthmatic bronchitis with over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or cough suppressants. Be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Humidifiers also help thin and loosen mucus.
A Word From Verywell
It can be a challenge to manage asthma symptoms during an illness. Be aware that you can develop asthmatic bronchitis during a viral infection. If recognized early, you may only need rest and fluids to help clear up symptoms. Remember to contact your healthcare provider if symptoms last longer than a week or you are getting bronchitis frequently.
How to Tell If Your Bronchitis Cough Is Contagious
Frequently Asked QuestionsAcute bronchitis usually comes from a lung infection due to a cold or flu and will clear up in a week. Chronic bronchitis is a lung condition with symptoms that come and go but never completely go away.Learn MoreAcute Bronchitis vs. Chronic BronchitisThe best way to prevent asthmatic bronchitis is to get your yearly flu shot, quit smoking, and ask your healthcare provider if getting a pneumonia shot is right for you.If you have trouble catching your breath, talking, symptoms worsen, or have a fever, seek medical care immediately.
Acute bronchitis usually comes from a lung infection due to a cold or flu and will clear up in a week. Chronic bronchitis is a lung condition with symptoms that come and go but never completely go away.Learn MoreAcute Bronchitis vs. Chronic Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis usually comes from a lung infection due to a cold or flu and will clear up in a week. Chronic bronchitis is a lung condition with symptoms that come and go but never completely go away.
Learn MoreAcute Bronchitis vs. Chronic Bronchitis
The best way to prevent asthmatic bronchitis is to get your yearly flu shot, quit smoking, and ask your healthcare provider if getting a pneumonia shot is right for you.
If you have trouble catching your breath, talking, symptoms worsen, or have a fever, seek medical care immediately.
11 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.National Institutes of Health National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.American Lung Association.Chronic bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Asthma.American Lung Association.Bronchitis symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.MedlinePlus.Body temperature norms.MedlinePlus.Lung function tests.MedlinePlus.Chest X-ray.American Lung Association.CT scan.MedlinePlus.Blood oxygen level.MedlinePlus.Chronic bronchitis.
11 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.National Institutes of Health National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.American Lung Association.Chronic bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Asthma.American Lung Association.Bronchitis symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.MedlinePlus.Body temperature norms.MedlinePlus.Lung function tests.MedlinePlus.Chest X-ray.American Lung Association.CT scan.MedlinePlus.Blood oxygen level.MedlinePlus.Chronic 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.
National Institutes of Health National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.American Lung Association.Chronic bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Asthma.American Lung Association.Bronchitis symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.MedlinePlus.Body temperature norms.MedlinePlus.Lung function tests.MedlinePlus.Chest X-ray.American Lung Association.CT scan.MedlinePlus.Blood oxygen level.MedlinePlus.Chronic bronchitis.
National Institutes of Health National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.
MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.
American Lung Association.Chronic bronchitis.
MedlinePlus.Asthma.
American Lung Association.Bronchitis symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
MedlinePlus.Body temperature norms.
MedlinePlus.Lung function tests.
MedlinePlus.Chest X-ray.
American Lung Association.CT scan.
MedlinePlus.Blood oxygen level.
MedlinePlus.Chronic bronchitis.
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