Generally, you should be feeling better from acute bronchitis within a week or two, though you may have a lingering cough and fatigue for three weeks or more. The types of viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis will usually have been in your system from two to six days before you start feeling cold symptoms.
When to see a doctor Acute bronchitis usually runs its course and clears up in a couple of weeks. There are instances when it is helpful to see a doctor, though. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that a person sees a doctor if they experience: symptoms that do not clear up in 3 weeks.Nov 22, 2019
The symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, include fever, fatigue, a cough, shortness of breath, body aches, and a sore throat. These can also happen with other conditions, including bronchitis. It's hard to tell what you have just by how you feel.Mar 20, 2022
Most people get over an acute bout of bronchitis in two to three weeks, although the cough can sometimes hang on for four weeks or more. If you're in otherwise good health, your lungs will return to normal after you've recovered from the initial infection.Jan 15, 2022
For either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis, signs and symptoms may include:Cough.Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color — rarely, it may be streaked with blood.Fatigue.Shortness of breath.Slight fever and chills.Chest discomfort.Apr 11, 2017
Can you treat bronchitis at home?Get plenty of sleep and take time to slow down and let your body recover.Drink plenty of fluids, including water, tea, and chicken soup.Use a humidifier or steam to help break up mucus.Take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce fever and alleviate discomfort.More items...
Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own in 7 to 10 days. You should call your doctor if: You continue to wheeze and cough for more than 2 weeks, especially at night when you lie down or when you are active.Feb 25, 2021
Treatment. Acute bronchitis usually gets better on its own—without antibiotics. Antibiotics won't help you get better if you have acute bronchitis. When antibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you, and their side effects could still cause harm.Jul 1, 2021
Since both COVID-19 and bronchitis infections affect the respiratory system (the parts of the body that help you breathe) they can share similar symptoms, including: Cough. Shortness of breath. Nasal congestion.Nov 23, 2021
Chest X-rays may be used for a precise diagnosis of bronchitis. Treatment for bronchitis includes antibiotics for the bacterial infection, drinking lots of fluids, and plenty of rest.Jan 29, 2021
If you have begun taking antibiotics for bronchitis, you usually stop being contagious 24 hours after starting the medication. If you have a viral form of bronchitis, antibiotics will not work. You will be contagious for at least a few days and possibly for as long as a week.Aug 12, 2019
Bronchitis is a condition where the lining of the bronchial tubes in the lungs becomes inflamed. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Most cases of acute bronchitis will clear up without medical treatment or the need for antibiotics. Chronic bronchitis is more severe and difficult to treat.