Pulmonary rehabilitation classes: Pulmonary rehabilitation classes teach techniques to manage lung diseases, such as chronic bronchitis. For example, teaching a controlled coughing technique helps make coughing more effective. Classes combine education with exercise to improve functioning.
How long does bronchitis take to go away?
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Bronchitis involves inflammation and swelling of the bronchi tubes, which are the airways going to the lungs. The condition develops in both children and adults and may be either acute or chronic.
To find out how long bronchitis lasts, continue reading below.
Share on Pinterest A person with bronchitis may experience a productive cough.
The length of time it takes for a person to recover from bronchitis depends on whether they have acute or chronic bronchitis.
According to the American Lung Association, acute bronchitis usually lasts for between 3–10 days, although some symptoms, such as coughing, can last longer.
Chronic bronchitis lasts longer than acute bronchitis. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis last for at least 3 months out of the year. In many cases, symptoms last even longer.
Acute and chronic bronchitis both involve inflammation of the airways and have similar symptoms. However, they also have some differences.
Acute bronchitis
Typically, acute bronchitis occurs suddenly due to a viral infection. Bacteria cause acute bronchitis in less than 10% of cases.
An infection, such as a cold, may start in the upper airway and travel to the bronchial tubes. Although symptoms may last 1–2 weeks, the condition is temporary.
Acute bronchitis typically does not cause permanent breathing problems in most people. However, people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, or those with a weakened immune system are at increased risk of complications.
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic means the condition lasts a long time. Although the severity of symptoms does not always remain constant, the disease does not go away.
Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Doctors consider bronchitis as chronic if a person coughs and produces mucus for at least 3 months out of the year for 2 years in a row.
The most frequent cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Smoking damages the airways and leads to an overproduction of mucus in the lungs. The increased mucus causes airflow obstructions.
Over time, chronic bronchitis can lead to permanent damage to the lungs, such as decreased lung function.
Symptoms of bronchitis may include:
- productive cough
- sore chest from coughing
- fatigue
- chest tightness or congestion
- wheezing
The symptoms of acute bronchitis usually come on suddenly. Chronic bronchitis symptoms appear gradually and usually worsen over time.
Acute bronchitis may also cause a low grade fever. People with chronic bronchitis may also have frequent respiratory infections and shortness of breath.
Chronic bronchitis typically occurs in adults. Acute bronchitis can develop in both adults and children. The symptoms of acute bronchitis are usually similar in adults and children.
Children are more likely also to have a runny nose and gagging along with other symptoms.
Acute bronchitis usually runs its course and clears up in a couple of weeks. There are instances when it is helpful to see a doctor, though.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that a person sees a doctor if they experience:
- symptoms that do not clear up in 3 weeks
- a fever of 100.4°F or higher
- repeated bouts of bronchitis
- a cough accompanied by bloody mucus
- wheezing
If people have any concerns about a cough, even if they do not have any other symptoms, they should see their healthcare provider to find the best treatment.
Anyone who has severe symptoms will need urgent care. Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms develop:
- trouble breathing
- bluish skin or nails
- severe shortness of breath
Treatment for bronchitis depends on whether the condition is chronic or acute. Acute bronchitis does not usually require any treatment and resolves on its own.
Since viruses cause most cases of acute bronchitis, doctors will not prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
There is a variety of other remedies that a person can try to help reduce symptoms:
Plenty of fluids: Drinking plenty of water helps thin the mucus, which makes it easier to cough out of the lungs.
Cough suppressants: Both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription cough suppressants can reduce coughing and ease discomfort.
A humidifier: Using a humidifier or inhaling steam from a shower may help ease chest congestion associated with bronchitis. A range of humidifiers is available for purchase online.
Throat lozenges: Frequent coughing from bronchitis may cause a sore throat. Sucking on throat lozenges may decrease pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Bronchitis may cause chest and rib pain from coughing. Acute bronchitis may also lead to a low grade fever. OTC NSAIDs may reduce fever and discomfort.
Inhaled breathing treatments: Inhaled breathing medications, such as albuterol, relax the muscles around the airways and open them up. Medicines can help decrease wheezing and make breathing easier.
Although there is currently no cure for chronic bronchitis, treatment may help reduce the severity of symptoms and improve quality of life.
Treatment for chronic bronchitis may include some of the same treatments as with acute bronchitis. The following may also help:
Quitting smoking: Smoking irritates the airways. Quitting smoking does not cure chronic bronchitis but may decrease the severity of symptoms and prevent progression of the disease.
Inhaled steroids: Over time, chronic bronchitis may lead to changes in the lungs, including inflammation. Inhaled steroids reduce inflammation, which can improve breathing.
Oxygen therapy: Some people with chronic bronchitis may have decreased oxygen levels due to lung damage. Oxygen therapy may improve shortness of breath and exercise tolerance.
Pulmonary rehabilitation classes: Pulmonary rehabilitation classes teach techniques to manage lung diseases, such as chronic bronchitis. For example, teaching a controlled coughing technique helps make coughing more effective. Classes combine education with exercise to improve functioning.
How long bronchitis lasts depends on whether the condition is chronic or acute. Acute bronchitis usually lasts 3 to 10 days, although the cough may linger for a few weeks. Chronic bronchitis lasts for months, and symptoms reoccur.
Treatment for bronchitis also varies depending on whether it is acute or chronic. Most people recover from acute bronchitis without complications. Treatment for chronic bronchitis helps reduce symptoms.
Last medically reviewed on November 22, 2019
- Pulmonary System
- Respiratory
How we reviewed this article:
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Chest cold (acute bronchitis). (2019).
https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/bronchitis.html - Chronic bronchitis. (n.d.)
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/chronic-bronchitis/ - Gifford, A. H. (2018). Learn about acute bronchitis.
https://foundation.chestnet.org/patient-education-resources/acute-bronchitis/ - Kim, V., & Criner, G. J. (2013). Chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.201210-1843CI - Learn about acute bronchitis. (2019).
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/acute-bronchitis/learn-about-acute-bronchitis.html
How Long Do Symptoms Of Bronchitis Last?
Acute bronchitis typically lasts from 10 to 14 days, up to 3 weeks in some cases. Chronic bronchitis lasts at least three months, and episodes can come and go for two or more years after your initial recovery.
Bronchitis causes irritation and inflammation inside the bronchial tubes. It can be chronic or acute. The type of bronchitis you have determines how long it will last.
Acute bronchitis can be brought about as the result of another illness, such as a cold or the flu. It can also result from allergies.
Chronic bronchitis is a long lasting form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Read on to learn more about bronchitis and what you can do to improve your recovery.
Acute bronchitis can occur in people of any age, although it’s not common in infants. Acute bronchitis usually lasts from 10 to 14 days, but some symptoms may last longer. For example, you may have a lingering cough that lasts for a month or sometimes longer. This is true for both children and adults.
Older adults may experience more severe symptoms over a longer duration of time. These symptoms can include rapid breathing and confused thinking. Elderly individuals may also be at a higher risk for complications, such as pneumonia.
Chronic bronchitis is more common in adults than in children. People with chronic bronchitis can also experience bouts of acute bronchitis.
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include long-term irritation and inflammation of the bronchial tubes, and a chronic, phlegmy cough that lasts for at least three months. This is followed by episodic bouts of bronchitis, which can come and go for two years or longer.
Acute bronchitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It’s most commonly caused by viruses, such as the influenza virus. It’s also possible to have bacterial and viral bronchitis at the same time.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if they suspect you have bacterial bronchitis. These medications may help reduce the amount of time you’re contagious, but may not lessen the duration of symptoms, such as a cough. Antibiotics are not helpful for bronchitis caused by viruses.
Chronic bronchitis is often caused by cigarette smoking. It can also be caused by exposure to environmental toxins, such as air pollution or secondhand smoke.
Around 90 percent of all cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses, such as the cold or flu, which are contagious. These illnesses have an incubation period of between two to six days. People typically start to become contagious in the hours preceding the initial onset of symptoms and remain contagious until the symptoms go away. The persistent, dry cough that often follows bronchitis is caused by ongoing irritation of the bronchial tubes, not active infection. That means you’re unlikely to be contagious during this time.
Acute bronchitis that’s caused by bacterial infections is less contagious to otherwise healthy people, although you’re at greater risk of becoming infected if you have a compromised immune system, are a child, or are elderly. If you’re taking antibiotics for bacterial acute bronchitis, you’ll become less contagious or not contagious at all within 24 to 48 hours.
Chronic bronchitis is not usually contagious. Because you can have chronic and acute bronchitis at the same time, you may pass acute bronchitis to another person if you have both conditions.
There are several home remedies which may help alleviate symptoms and make you more comfortable while you’re recovering from bronchitis.
- Get plenty of sleep and take time to slow down and let your body recover.
- Drink plenty of fluids, including water, tea, and chicken soup.
- Use a humidifier or steam to help break up mucus.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce fever and alleviate discomfort.
- Talk to your doctor about the type of cough medicine you should use, if any. Some cough medications suppress coughs and may make it harder for you to expel mucus. However, these can make it easier for you to sleep. Other cough medications are expectorants. These can be beneficial at helping you expel mucus, but may make it more difficult to sleep.
- Certain herbal supplements, such as ginger or garlic, may help to alleviate irritation in the bronchial airways and promote healing.
- Do not smoke cigarettes and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and other airborne irritants.
Acute bronchitis usually goes away on its own, but you should consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- frequent episodes of acute bronchitis (this may indicate the beginning of chronic bronchitis)
- a wheezing cough or a cough that doesn’t go away within three to four weeks
- shortness of breath
- coughing that expels blood or bloody mucus
- symptoms that do not improve or worsen
Since some cases of acute bronchitis are caused by the flu virus, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications for you if the flu virus is suspected as a cause.
Bronchitis can lead to pneumonia and other complications, so it’s important to stay on top of your care and to seek medical support, if needed.
The type of bronchitis you have will determine, in large part, the duration. Elderly individuals, children, and people with compromised immune systems may be more vulnerable to certain types of bronchitis, such as those caused by bacteria.
Most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses and do not respond to antibiotics. Acute bronchitis usually goes away without medical intervention within several weeks. If you have symptoms which do not improve or worsen, see your doctor. That may be a sign of chronic bronchitis.
Last medically reviewed on April 4, 2018
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Acute bronchitis. (n.d.).
lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/acute-bronchitis/ - Acute bronchitis in children. (n.d.).
stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=acute-bronchitis-in-children-90-P02930 - Bronchitis. (n.d.).
cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Bronchitis.aspx - Chronic bronchitis. (2018).
medlineplus.gov/chronicbronchitis.html - Dowshen S. (2014). What is bronchitis?
kidshealth.org/en/teens/bronchitis.html - Learn about acute bronchitis. (n.d.).
lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/acute-bronchitis/learn-about-acute-bronchitis.html - Gifford AH. Acute bronchitis. (2018).
foundation.chestnet.org/patient-education-resources/acute-bronchitis/ - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Bronchitis.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bronchitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355566 - Steckelberg JM. (2016). Acute bronchitis: Is it contagious?
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bronchitis/expert-answers/acute-bronchitis/faq-20057839 - Worrall G. (2008). Acute bronchitis.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2278319/
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