Table Of Contents
Acute bronchitis
Infection and inflammation of the bronchi (upper airways). Key symptoms include fever, sputum, and cough. A chest X-ray is needed to rule out pneumonia. Treatment is optional, especially if the case is mild.
- Acute vs chronic bronchitis
- Chronic bronchitis is an exacerbation of COPD and is seen in patients with certain risk factors (that 80-pack-year smoker in the ward for an acute exacerbation)
- Investigations
- Chest X-ray: normal (cannot see diseased tissue in the bronchi)
- Treatment
- Therapy is optional, especially if the case is mild
- Amoxicillin (antibiotic of choice)
- Azithromycin or Clarithromycin (Macrolide if allergic to penicillin)
Chronic bronchitis
An exacerbation of COPD. Still, get a chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia.
- Investigations
- Chest X-ray: normal apart from COPD findings (hyperinflation, etc.)
- Treatment
- Amoxicillin OR Doxycycline OR TMP/SMX (all are acceptable first-line agents)
- Amoxicillin/clavulanate OR Macrolide (Azithromycin) OR Fluoroquinolone (Moxifloxacin) OR 2nd/3rd Gen cephalosporin (If recent antibiotic use, last 2 weeks)
