🫁 Bronchitis
PH
PureHealthness Editorial Team · Health writers & reviewers
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
✔ Transparent sourcing · Some articles are AI-drafted, then reviewed & fact-checked by our team
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
| In brief | A deep cough that produces thick mucus (sputum), fatigue, short breath, and mild chest discomfort. |
|---|---|
| Category | Respiratory |
🔍 What causes it
Usually viral — the same viruses as colds and flu — inflaming the bronchial tubes. Smoking, dust and polluted air increase risk. Acute bronchitis lasts 1-3 weeks; chronic bronchitis (with COPD) is long-term and smoking-related.
⚠️ Key symptoms
- Deep cough producing thick yellow/green mucus
- Fatigue and mild fever
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Mild chest discomfort or soreness
💊 Treatment
Mostly rest, fluids, honey for the cough, steam inhalation and paracetamol for fever. Antibiotics rarely help (it's usually viral). See a doctor if symptoms last over 3 weeks, you cough blood, or have high fever.
🛡️ Prevention
Don't smoke, wash hands often, avoid lung irritants, get flu/COVID vaccines.
🚨 See a doctor / red flags: See a doctor promptly if symptoms are severe, do not improve, or get worse — especially for children, older adults, pregnant women, or anyone with a chronic condition.
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