Bronchitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and When a Cough Needs a Visit

Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways that carry air into your lungs, and its main symptom is a cough that hangs on after a cold. Most cases are caused by a virus, so antibiotics usually don't help, and the cough can last up to about three weeks even as you start to feel better. A visit makes sense when the cough comes with fever, wheezing or shortness of breath, or when it just won't quit.

What is bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis, sometimes called a chest cold, usually starts a few days into a cold or the flu. The airways swell and make extra mucus, and your body coughs to clear it. It's one of the most common reasons people see a clinician in the fall and winter.

Chronic bronchitis is different: a cough with mucus on most days for months at a time, often linked to smoking. It's part of a long-term lung condition and is usually managed with a primary care doctor or lung specialist, though urgent care can help with a flare.

Bronchitis symptoms

• A cough, dry at first, then often bringing up clear, white, yellow or green mucus
• Chest soreness or tightness, often from coughing
• Wheezing or a whistling sound when you breathe
• Mild shortness of breath with activity
• Tiredness, a low fever, sore throat or runny nose early on

Mucus color on its own doesn't tell you whether an infection is bacterial or viral. Yellow or green mucus is common with ordinary viral bronchitis.

How long does bronchitis last?

The fever and achy feeling usually fade within the first week. The cough is the slow part: it often lasts two to three weeks, because the airways take time to settle down. A cough that's still going after three weeks, or that's getting worse rather than better, should be checked.

Bronchitis treatment: what actually helps

Because most bronchitis is viral, treatment is mostly about easing symptoms while your airways heal:

• Rest, and plenty of fluids to keep mucus thin
• A humidifier or a steamy shower, which helps in Denver's dry air
• Honey in warm water or tea for adults and children over one year old (never give honey to a baby under one)
• Over-the-counter pain and fever relievers or cough medicine, if they're safe for you; ask before giving cough medicine to a young child
• Staying away from smoke, including vaping and wood smoke

At a visit, a clinician listens to your lungs and checks your oxygen level to make sure the cough isn't pneumonia, asthma or whooping cough. If you're wheezing, they may give a breathing treatment in the clinic. If a bacterial infection is likely, they can talk with you about whether an antibiotic makes sense. For most people with bronchitis, it doesn't, and taking one you don't need brings side effects without speeding recovery.

Is it bronchitis or pneumonia?

They can feel similar. Pneumonia is an infection in the lung tissue itself and is more likely to cause a higher fever, chills, fast breathing or shortness of breath. Walking pneumonia, a milder form, can look a lot like bronchitis. A clinician may recommend a chest X-ray if pneumonia is a concern. More in our guide to walking pneumonia.

What about whooping cough?

Whooping cough (pertussis) starts like a cold and turns into coughing fits, sometimes followed by a "whoop" when breathing in, or vomiting after coughing. It's especially dangerous for babies. If coughing comes in hard fits, get checked. The Tdap vaccine protects against whooping cough as well as tetanus and diphtheria.

When to see a clinician for bronchitis

Come in the same day if you have:

• A fever that lasts more than a few days or is high
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• A cough lasting more than three weeks
• Coughing fits, or vomiting after coughing
• Symptoms that improved and then got worse
• Asthma, COPD, heart disease or a weakened immune system, or you're older or pregnant

Our bronchitis and cough page explains what a visit involves. Self-pay, a standard visit is $175, and $250 with one moderate service such as a breathing treatment or an X-ray; a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. We can't guarantee a particular commercial plan has us in network; if it's out of network or denies the visit, we drop you to the self-pay rates. See the cost and insurance page.

Call 911 or go to the ER if you're struggling to breathe or can't speak in full sentences, have chest pain, are coughing up blood, or your lips or fingertips look blue or gray. In a baby, go now for pauses in breathing, turning blue during coughing fits, or trouble feeding.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.