Bronchitis

Key facts

• Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. The hallmark sign is a cough that can drag on for weeks, sometimes with mucus and a tight, sore chest.
• Most cases are acute and follow a viral upper respiratory infection; chronic bronchitis is a separate, longer-term condition linked to ongoing airway irritation such as smoking.
• Viruses cause the vast majority of acute episodes, so antibiotics such as cefixime are only useful when a secondary bacterial infection is confirmed.
• See a doctor if the cough comes with high fever, blood in the sputum, breathlessness at rest, or symptoms that worsen after an initial improvement.

What drives the cough

Viral infections cause the vast majority of acute bronchitis episodes. The same viruses responsible for colds and flu inflame the bronchial lining, triggering mucus production and the cough reflex as the body tries to clear the airways. Bacterial infections are less common but do occur, and this is where antibiotics such as cefixime may become relevant once a secondary bacterial infection is confirmed.

Bronchitis also follows seasonal patterns. Cases climb during colder months and rainy seasons, when people spend more time indoors, air is cooler and damper, and viruses spread more readily between people in close contact. Smokers and people with existing lung conditions tend to have longer, more severe episodes, since their airways are already irritated before a virus takes hold.

When to get checked

Most acute bronchitis clears within two to three weeks. See a doctor if the cough is accompanied by high fever, blood in the sputum, shortness of breath at rest, or symptoms that worsen after an initial improvement, since these can signal pneumonia or another condition needing closer attention.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.