Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Acute bronchitis means that the tubes that carry air to the lungs (the bronchial tubes) are inflamed and irritated. When this happens, the tubes swell and produce mucus. This makes you cough. Acute bronchitis is almost always caused by a virus. It's more common during the winter months and often develops after an upper respiratory tract infection such as the flu or a cold. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may be a cause, especially in adults older than 65. Acute bronchitis can also be caused by exposure to smoke, chemicals, or air pollution, all of which can irritate the bronchial tubes. Or it may happen if you accidentally inhale food or vomit. If you have no other health problems, acute bronchitis poses little risk. Pneumonia is the most serious problem that can occur. It's most likely to develop if you have a long-term (chronic) disease, such as: Treatment for people with these health problems depends on their condition. If you don't have any other health problems besides acute bronchitis, antibiotics won't be very helpful. Antibiotics can help shorten the length of time you have a cough, but they may cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.footnote 1 Most cases of acute bronchitis go away in 2 to 3 weeks, but some may last 4 weeks. Home treatment to relieve symptoms is usually all that you need. Here are some things you can try that may help you feel better: Your doctor may recommend that you take antibiotics for acute bronchitis if: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis after having the flu. Although I know people who have used antibiotics for this condition, my doctor told me that antibiotics would not be effective for acute bronchitis caused by a viral infection. She suggested I take cough medicine for my cough if necessary. This made sense to me. Paula, age 26 I have asthma. When I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis, my doctor felt that because of the asthma, and my age, that I was at risk for pneumonia. He suggested a course of antibiotics, and I agreed. Josef, age 67 When I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis, I thought I'd get some antibiotics and that would be the end of it. My doctor explained that this might shorten my cough by a day but really would do no more. One day is not worth the hassle and cost of antibiotics, so I just used cough medicine. Theo, age 46 I guess acute bronchitis usually goes away in a couple of weeks, so my doctor suggested I treat my symptoms at home. But it's been about a month and I'm still coughing and feeling bad. We are going to try some antibiotics. Martha, age 52 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take antibiotics Reasons not to take antibiotics I'm worried that I might be sick with something other than acute bronchitis. I just have acute bronchitis. My cough is pretty bad, and I think antibiotics could help me relieve it. I want to try home treatment to relieve my cough. I'm not worried about the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to deal with the side effects of antibiotics. I'm willing to take the risk that antibiotics won't work the next time I really need them. I don't want to take antibiotics if I don't really need them. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Acute bronchitis means that the tubes that carry air to the lungs (the bronchial tubes) are inflamed and irritated. When this happens, the tubes swell and produce mucus. This makes you cough. Acute bronchitis is almost always caused by a virus. It's more common during the winter months and often develops after an upper respiratory tract infection such as the flu or a cold. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may be a cause, especially in adults older than 65. Acute bronchitis can also be caused by exposure to smoke, chemicals, or air pollution, all of which can irritate the bronchial tubes. Or it may happen if you accidentally inhale food or vomit. If you have no other health problems, acute bronchitis poses little risk. Pneumonia is the most serious problem that can occur. It's most likely to develop if you have a long-term (chronic) disease, such as: Treatment for people with these health problems depends on their condition. If you don't have any other health problems besides acute bronchitis, antibiotics won't be very helpful. Antibiotics can help shorten the length of time you have a cough, but they may cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance.1 Most cases of acute bronchitis go away in 2 to 3 weeks, but some may last 4 weeks. Home treatment to relieve symptoms is usually all that you need. Here are some things you can try that may help you feel better: Your doctor may recommend that you take antibiotics for acute bronchitis if: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis after having the flu. Although I know people who have used antibiotics for this condition, my doctor told me that antibiotics would not be effective for acute bronchitis caused by a viral infection. She suggested I take cough medicine for my cough if necessary. This made sense to me." — Paula, age 26 "I have asthma. When I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis, my doctor felt that because of the asthma, and my age, that I was at risk for pneumonia. He suggested a course of antibiotics, and I agreed." — Josef, age 67 "When I was diagnosed with acute bronchitis, I thought I'd get some antibiotics and that would be the end of it. My doctor explained that this might shorten my cough by a day but really would do no more. One day is not worth the hassle and cost of antibiotics, so I just used cough medicine." — Theo, age 46 "I guess acute bronchitis usually goes away in a couple of weeks, so my doctor suggested I treat my symptoms at home. But it's been about a month and I'm still coughing and feeling bad. We are going to try some antibiotics." — Martha, age 52 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take antibiotics Reasons not to take antibiotics I'm worried that I might be sick with something other than acute bronchitis. I just have acute bronchitis. My cough is pretty bad, and I think antibiotics could help me relieve it. I want to try home treatment to relieve my cough. I'm not worried about the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to deal with the side effects of antibiotics. I'm willing to take the risk that antibiotics won't work the next time I really need them. I don't want to take antibiotics if I don't really need them. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics 1.
Will antibiotics help you feel better faster when you have acute bronchitis? 2.
Can home treatment relieve most symptoms of acute bronchitis? 3.
Is there anyone who can benefit from taking antibiotics for acute bronchitis? 4.
Can you take antibiotics as often as you feel you need to and still have them work every time? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: August 6, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardBronchitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?
Bronchitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is acute bronchitis?
What causes acute bronchitis?
What are the risks of acute bronchitis?
How well do antibiotics work to treat acute bronchitis?
How can you treat acute bronchitis without antibiotics?
Why might your doctor recommend taking antibiotics?
Compare your options
Personal stories about taking antibiotics for acute bronchitis
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Bronchitis: Should I Take Antibiotics?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is acute bronchitis?
What causes acute bronchitis?
What are the risks of acute bronchitis?
How well do antibiotics work to treat acute bronchitis?
How can you treat acute bronchitis without antibiotics?
Why might your doctor recommend taking antibiotics?
2. Compare your options
Take antibiotics for acute bronchitis Don't take antibiotics What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about taking antibiotics for acute bronchitis
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Take antibiotics for acute bronchitis Take antibiotics for acute bronchitis
Don't take antibiotics Don't take antibiotics
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You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
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Equally important
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You're right. Antibiotics kill bacteria or slow or stop their growth. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus and not by bacteria, antibiotics don't work very well to treat it.
You're right. Most cases of acute bronchitis go away in 2 to 3 weeks. Home treatment to relieve symptoms is usually all that you need.
You're right. Antibiotics may help people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma.
You're right. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don't really need them can be harmful. The medicine may not work the next time when you really do need it.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
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