Treating Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is viral and infectious. Treating acute bronchitis is necessary especially if it recurs. Although this condition mostly just goes away after a few weeks, it is still important to check the symptoms from time to time and consult the doctor so that one can prevent the condition from advancing to the chronic level.

If the doctor finds out that the cause of the acute bronchitis is bacterial and not viral, then he can prescribe antibiotics. Viral infection usually just goes away by itself, but bacterial infection should be appropriately treated. About 90 percent of bronchitis cases are viral, the remaining 10 percent should be treated with antibiotics as per instruction of the physician.

There are over-the-counter medications that can provide some relief and help control fever caused by the virus. Children shouldn’t be given aspirin, though. This may cause Reye’s syndrome, which is life threatening since the brain could get damaged.

Expectorants and cough suppressants can be taken to control the coughing and to clear out the mucus in the bronchial tubes. For kids, avoid cough syrups and consult with the doctors first.

There are bronchodilators that can also help in opening up the airways. These are inhaled medications that can help the patients breathe easier when they have bronchitis. This can be in the form of a puffer or inhaler or as a mask (nebulizer).

It will also help long-term, if the patient will stop smoking. If he doesn’t smoke, he needs to stay away from those who do because smoking is the primary cause of bronchitis.