The main symptom of bronchitis is a bad cough.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Gonzales R, Sande MA.
Uncomplicated acute bronchitis.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000; 133: 981-991.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ Your cough may start a few days after other symptoms caused by a

 

 

 

 

 

viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.

 

 

 

 

 

virus. You may have been feeling generally unwell, have a slight fever and have aching muscles.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Gonzales R, Sande MA.
Uncomplicated acute bronchitis.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000; 133: 981-991.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

You may cough up mucus, wheeze (make a whistling sound when you breathe) and feel short of breath when you do something like walking up stairs.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Gonzales R, Sande MA.
Uncomplicated acute bronchitis.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000; 133: 981-991.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Hueston WJ, Mainous AG.
Acute bronchitis.
American Family Physician. 1998; 57: 1270-1276.

 

 

 

 

 

² The constant coughing can make your chest hurt.

You may be able to manage these symptoms without seeing your doctor. But you should seek medical advice if you are worried about your symptoms, or if you have other health problems like lung problems or heart disease. You should also seek medical help for a young child who is sick with bronchitis. It's also a good idea to see a doctor if you have a cough that lasts for more than two weeks.

Some symptoms might mean you have a more serious condition, such as pneumonia. You should see your doctor if you:

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Gonzales R, Sande MA.
Uncomplicated acute bronchitis.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000; 133: 981-991.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

Your doctor may send you for a chest

 

 

 

 

 

X-ray
X-rays are pictures taken of the inside of your body. They are done by passing very small amounts of radiation through your body and onto film. X-rays can also be used as a treatment, such as in radiation therapy for cancer.

 

 

 

 

 

X-ray to see if you have pneumonia. Pneumonia happens when a germ (usually

 

 

 

 

 

bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.

 

 

 

 

 

bacteria, but occasionally a virus) infects your lungs, causing serious

 

 

 

 

 

inflammation
If your skin or some other part of your body becomes red, swollen, hot or sore, we say it is inflamed. It means that your body is trying to protect you from germs, from something in your body tissues that can hurt you (like a thorn or sliver), or from things that cause allergies (allergens). Inflammation is part of the way the body heals an infection or injury.

 

 

 

 

 

inflammation. This makes it difficult to breathe. To learn more, see Pneumonia.

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