Acute bronchitis

Question 1

What is acute bronchitis

Answer 1

self-limiting lower respiratory tract infection- ‘chest cold’

Question 2

What is acute bronchitis usually caused by

Answer 2

Rhinovirus
Parainfluenza
Influenza A or B
RSV
Coronavirus

Question 3

What may someone with acute bronchitis present with

Answer 3

cough, can be productive
dyspnoea and wheezing
mild fever
feeling tired and achy

Question 4

What are risk factors for acute bronchitis

Answer 4

infection exposure
smoking

Question 5

What investigations are required for acute bronchitis

Answer 5

Based on clinical diagnosis

can consider CXR- if suspecting pneumonia, elderly patients, persistent cough >6 weeks

Question 6

How do you manage acute bronchitis

Answer 6

if otherwise healthy - paracetamol and ibuprofen

if cough persists >2 weeks
inhaled corticosteroids

if patient has underlying lung pathology
Amoxicillin
Doxycycline - if penicillin allergy

SABA can be helpful with wheezing