Bronchitis Treatments

Acute Bronchitis

Treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms. It includes:

• Aspirin or acetaminophen to treat pain and fever
• Expectorants or cough suppressants
• Increased fluid intake
• Cool mist humidification
• Herbs and supplements — Pelargonium sidoides extract may help resolve symptoms in patients with acute bronchitis *³

Antibiotics will not be helpful if the infection is viral.

There are some concerns about the safety of over-the-counter cough and cold products. The concern is highest for children under two years of age. It is best to avoid these, especially in young children. Talk to your doctor about medication options. *¹

Chronic Bronchitis

Treatment is based on:

• Age
• Overall health
• Extent of the disease
• Past response to treatments

Treatment may include:

• Oral antibiotics and bronchodilators, particularly clarithromycin
  • If you have chronic bronchitis and mild-to-moderate COPD, you may not need antibiotics
  • A study found that shorter antibiotic treatment (five days or less) is as effective as longer treatment (more than five days) *²
• Bronchodilators
• Oral or intravenous corticosteroid medications
• Inhaled bronchodilators or corticosteroids
• Expectorants to loosen secretions
• Mucolytics
• Supplemental oxygen
• Cool mist humidification
• Lung reduction surgery —removal of the most damaged part of the lungs (in severe cases)
• Lung transplant (in end-stage cases)