It’s that time of year — the coughing starts, and it doesn’t stop. If you or your child has had a nagging cough for days, or even weeks, you might be wondering: “Could this be bronchitis?” It could be, but the more important question is “How should we treat it?”
Acute bronchitis is a common condition where the large airways in your lungs (the bronchi) become inflamed, usually following a cold or viral infection. The main symptom is a persistent cough, often accompanied by chest discomfort, mild fever, or fatigue. The important thing to know is that most cases are caused by viruses, not bacteria — which means antibiotics won’t help in most situations. Most antibiotics are only useful against bacteria.
That doesn’t mean we ignore it. Bronchitis symptoms can linger for 2 to 3 weeks or longer, and in some cases, symptoms may overlap with more serious conditions like pneumonia. That’s why a physcial exam is important, and we may order a chest X-ray or other tests to help rule out bacterial infections or complications.
Even when antibiotics aren’t needed, there are several ways we can help you feel better. Breathing treatments (such as albuterol inhalers or nebulizers) can help open your airways and ease wheezing or tightness. If inflammation is significant, steroids may be prescribed to reduce swelling in the lungs. For severe or persistent coughing, we might recommend prescription-strength cough suppressants to help you rest and recover.
At Watkinsville Urgent Care, our providers carefully evaluate each case to determine whether testing or treatment, including medication, is necessary. We are able to obtain X rays to look for pneumonia, we have in office testing for many common infections, and we have access to extended respiratory panels that can test for many types of bacteria and viruses to help guide treatment. We’re here to help you feel better faster.
