Treatment
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)
If you are diagnosed with bronchitis, follow your doctor's instructions .
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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