Treating Acute Bronchitis
A case of acute bronchitis will usually resolve itself within a few weeks without the need for professional medical attention. Sometimes, however, the coughing becomes too intense, or an accompanying fever is too concerning to simply wait the illness out. For those cases, Physicians Immediate Care is here to help.
If you think you may have bronchitis, our expert medical staff can help diagnose and treat your symptoms. Walk-in to any of our clinics or reserve your time online.
What to Expect
Our highly trained staff can diagnose and treat bronchitis to get you on your way to a quick recovery. Here is what to expect at your visit:
Diagnosis – One of our providers will examine the patient and listen to their breathing. They will also try to determine if the bronchitis is viral or bacterial in origin, information that will impact the treatment method selected.
Identifying Related Issues– Because asthma and COPD can complicate bronchitis treatment, the provider will make a note of any chronic breathing conditions.
Providing treatment – In cases of bacterial bronchitis, treatment may include a prescription for antibiotics (which are ineffective in treating virus-caused infections) to treat the underlying infection. The provider will likely recommend additional medications for mitigating the bronchitis symptoms like coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing.
More About Bronchitis
Bronchitis is the inflammation of the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs, which are called bronchi. The condition can occur in short bouts that last a few weeks and generally result from a viral infection, or it can be a chronic condition with longer-lasting effects.
The most noticeable of these symptoms is a productive (mucus-producing) cough that lasts for days or weeks. Other associated symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Low-grade fever and chills
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath