Bronchitis

Bronchitis is swelling of the airways that carry air into your lungs. Bronchitis symptoms include a hacking cough, mucus, and chest soreness, usually after a cold. Most cases are viral and clear without antibiotics.

What Is It

Acute bronchitis, often called a chest cold, is usually caused by the same viruses that cause colds and flu. The swollen airways make extra mucus, which triggers coughing. The cough can last up to 3 weeks, even after you feel better. Smoking and asthma raise the risk. Cases peak in Chicago winters.

Symptoms

A cough that may bring up clear, yellow, or green mucus
Chest soreness or tightness from coughing
Mild wheezing or a rattle in the chest
A low fever and chills
Tiredness and body aches
A sore throat and runny nose at the start

Not sure it’s bronchitis? A cold usually stays in the nose and throat. High fever, shortness of breath, or pain with deep breaths can mean pneumonia instead.

Treatment

At your visit: A provider listens to your lungs and checks your oxygen level. A chest X-ray may be taken when pneumonia is a concern. Most bronchitis is viral, so antibiotics do not help. Treatment focuses on the cough and any wheezing.

At home:

Drink plenty of fluids to thin the mucus
Use a humidifier or breathe steam from a shower
Try honey in warm tea for the cough, for ages 1 and up
Avoid smoke and rest as much as you can

Most people feel better within 1 to 2 weeks, though the cough can last 3 weeks.

When to Get Care for Bronchitis

Watch at Home

A cough with mild chest soreness after a cold
No fever, or a low fever
Able to breathe comfortably and sleep

Come to Urgent Care Today

A cough lasting more than 3 weeks
A fever above 102 degrees, or fever lasting more than 3 days
Wheezing or chest tightness
Coughing up blood streaked mucus
Asthma, COPD, or age over 65 with a new cough

Go to the Emergency Department

Struggling to breathe or unable to speak in full sentences
Lips or fingernails turning blue or gray
Chest pain that is crushing or spreads to the arm or jaw
Coughing up more than a small amount of blood

FAQ

How do I know if I have bronchitis?

Bronchitis usually causes a hacking cough with mucus and chest soreness that starts a few days after a cold. A low fever and tiredness are also common.

Is bronchitis contagious?

Bronchitis caused by a virus is contagious for the first several days, like a cold. It spreads through coughs, sneezes, and unwashed hands.

How long does bronchitis last?

Bronchitis usually lasts 1 to 2 weeks, but the cough can hang on for up to 3 weeks. A cough lasting longer than 3 weeks should be checked.

Do I need antibiotics for bronchitis?

Most bronchitis does not need antibiotics because it is caused by a virus. Antibiotics are used only when a bacterial infection, like pneumonia or whooping cough, is likely.

Can urgent care treat bronchitis?

Yes, urgent care can treat bronchitis. At Vitality Urgent Care, a provider can check your oxygen level and lungs, and a chest X-ray is available on site.

What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?

Bronchitis is swelling of the airways, while pneumonia is an infection in the air sacs of the lungs. Pneumonia usually causes higher fever and shortness of breath.

Last reviewed October 2026