Bronchitis

Up to 5% of American adults develop bronchitis each year. If you have a chronic cough, chest pain, or experience difficulty breathing, seek treatment immediately. At Mercy Medical Urgent Care, urgent care specialist Bilal Khodr, MD, provides same-day diagnosis and treatment of bronchitis. To make an appointment for yourself or your child, call the office in Lake City, Florida, or book online today. Walk-ins are also welcome.

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a viral infection that causes your bronchioles –– small tubes in your lungs that carry air –– to become irritated and inflamed. Over time, it produces a chronic cough, affecting your ability to breathe.

What are the types of bronchitis?

Mercy Medical Urgent Care treats several types of bronchitis, including:

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis occurs if you have a cough that lasts for three months out of the year for at least two consecutive years. Often, it’s due to lifestyle choices, like smoking or working around chemicals or fumes.

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis occurs when a virus, like COVID-19, enters your airways. Often, acute bronchitis responds to prescription medication and improves within 10-14 days.*

What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

The symptoms of bronchitis include:

• A persistent cough 
• A cough that produces mucus
• Wheezing sounds when breathing
• Shortness of breath

If you have bronchitis, you might also develop a fever (an increase in your natural body temperature).

How is bronchitis diagnosed?

To diagnose bronchitis, your Mercy Medical Urgent Care provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when the cough started, if it produces mucus, and if certain activities, like exercise, make it worse.

Next, your provider performs a physical exam. They listen to your lungs and heart with a stethoscope and take a series of chest X-rays to look for fluid in your lungs. Your provider might also order blood work or a culture to test for another contagion, like strep throat.

How is bronchitis treated?

Treatment of bronchitis depends on various factors, including your age, the severity of your symptoms, and your general health. Your Mercy Medical Urgent Care provider might recommend:

• Prescription antibiotics
• Anti-inflammatory drugs, like corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation
• Bronchodilators to help your airways relax, making it easier to breathe
• A combination of drugs, to relieve various symptoms

It’s also important to get plenty of rest at home. Mercy Medical Urgent Care suggests drinking lots of water, using a humidifier, and following your provider’s instructions to help clear your mucus.

To learn more about the treatment options for bronchitis, make an appointment at Mercy Medical Urgent Care by calling the office, booking online today, or walking in during business hours. 

*Individual results may vary.