Symptoms and treatment of bronchitis

The initial stage of bronchitis often presents with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, and patients usually have clinical manifestations such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and hoarseness. Low-grade fever, chills, fatigue, itchy throat, irritating cough and retrosternal pain may occur.

The amount of sputum in the early stage is not much, but the sputum is not easy to cough up, and the sputum can change from mucinous to mucopurulent after 2~3 days. Cough is often pronounced in the morning or at night, and the cough may be paroxysmal or sometimes persistent.

If accompanied by bronchospasm, wheezing and shortness of breath may be present.

Generally speaking, the course of acute bronchitis is self-limited, and the systemic symptoms can subside within 4~5 days, but the cough can sometimes be prolonged for several weeks. Misuse of antimicrobials should be avoided in the treatment of patients with acute bronchitis, but antimicrobial abuse is indicated if the patient presents with fever, purulent sputum, and severe cough.

Patients with acute bronchitis are treated with antimicrobials, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin or azithromycin, for Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

During an influenza epidemic, anti-influenza treatment should be used if there are manifestations of acute bronchitis. Patients often need fluids and antipyretic medications. Antitussive drugs may be used appropriately.

When the amount of sputum is large or sticky, expectorants may be used.