Bronchitis: symptoms, is it contagious, how long it lasts and treatment

The NHS says the symptoms of bronchitis can be similar to a cold or flu. NHS inform says the main symptom is a hacking cough, which may bring up yellow-green mucus (phlegm). Bronchitis often develops after a cold, sore throat or flu, according to NHS inform, and is more common in winter.

The NHS says bronchitis often gets better without treatment in around 3 weeks and usually clears up without treatment in around that time. NHS inform says that in most cases it will clear up by itself within a few weeks, and that your cough may last for several weeks after other symptoms have gone. It adds that continual coughing may make your chest and stomach muscles sore.

The NHS says to see a GP if your symptoms last longer than 3 weeks. Both the NHS and NHS inform list a cough lasting more than 3 weeks as a reason to get advice.

The NHS says bronchitis is often caused by infections that can be easily spread through coughing and sneezing. NHS inform notes that it often develops after a cold, sore throat or flu, which are themselves infections, so the viruses that cause it can pass to other people.

To reduce the risk of spreading infections, the NHS suggests staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and putting used tissues in the bin as quickly as possible, and washing your hands regularly with soap and water.

The NHS says bronchitis usually gets better on its own. There are things you can do to ease the symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading infections: get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain and bring down a high temperature, and try adding honey to a warm drink to soothe your throat (not for babies under 1). NHS inform suggests stopping smoking if you smoke, avoiding smoky environments, and a honey and lemon drink. The NHS says not to smoke.

The NHS says antibiotics may be offered if your bronchitis is caused by a more serious infection, but that bronchitis usually clears up without treatment. NICE guideline NG120 sets out an antimicrobial prescribing strategy for acute cough associated with an upper respiratory tract infection or acute bronchitis, with the aim of limiting antibiotic use and reducing antibiotic resistance.

NHS inform says bronchitis can affect people of all ages and is most common in children under the age of 5. The NHS says to call 111 if you need advice for a child aged 4 years or under. The NHS also says to call 999 if you are unable to wake your baby or they feel floppy, if their lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey, or if they are struggling to breathe.

Do not give aspirin to children under 16. The NHS says honey is not suitable for babies under 1. Check packaging that painkillers are suitable for the child's age, or ask a pharmacist.

The NHS says some people have long-term inflammation of the airways in the lungs, called chronic bronchitis, and that this is known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a different problem from the short-term bronchitis described above and needs its own assessment and care. If you have a cough that does not go away, a GP can assess whether it might be COPD.

NHS inform says pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. It happens when the infection spreads further into the lungs, causing air sacs to fill with fluid. People at an increased risk include older people, people who smoke, people with other health conditions such as heart, liver or kidney disease and people with a weakened immune system. Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home, and more severe cases may need hospital treatment.

The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have had a cough for more than 3 weeks and it is not getting better, you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus, you have chest pain that comes and goes or when breathing or coughing, you are over 65, you are pregnant, you have a long-term condition such as diabetes or a heart, lung or kidney condition, you have a weakened immune system, you feel too unwell to do usual daily activities or you are feeling short of breath.

The NHS says to call 999 if you are struggling to breathe (choking, gasping and unable to speak), your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey, or you suddenly feel confused. NHS inform adds severe chest pain in the middle of the chest that is not going away, pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw, and being more drowsy than usual or finding it more difficult to wake up. Do not drive yourself to A&E.

Most people never need an appointment. The NHS says bronchitis usually gets better on its own. If you need advice, start with a pharmacist or GP, or call 111. A chest X-ray or breathing tests may be arranged by a GP if the cough lasts longer than expected.

Private GP and respiratory consultations are available, but the advice for a typical episode is the same: rest, fluids and painkillers, with antibiotics only when your clinician judges they are needed.