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How is Bronchitis Treated?

Home Treatment

By far, the majority of cases of bronchitis stem from viral infections. This means that most cases of bronchitis are short-term and require nothing more than home treatment treatment of the symptoms to relieve discomfort. Here are a few points to note:

•	Antibiotics will not cure a viral illness.
•	Experts in in the field of infectious disease have been warning for years that overuse of antibiotics is allowing many bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotics available.
•	Doctors often prescribe antibiotics because they feel pressured by people's expectations to receive them. This expectation has been fuelled by both misinformation in the media and marketing by drug companies. Don't expect to receive a prescription for an antibiotic if your infection is caused by a virus.
•	Panadol, aspirin, or ibuprofen will help with fever and muscle aches.
•	Drinking fluids is very important because fever causes the body to lose fluid faster. Lung secretions will be thinner and easier to clear when the patient is well hydrated.
•	A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can help decrease bronchial irritation.
•	An over-the-counter cough suppressant may be helpful. Preparations with guaifenesin will loosen secretions; dextromethorphan-the "DM" in most over the counter medications suppresses cough.

Medical Treatment

Treatment of bronchitis can differ depending on the suspected cause

•	Medications to help suppress the cough or loosen and clear secretions may be helpful. If the patient has severe coughing spells they cannot control, see the doctor for prescription strength cough suppressants. In some cases only these stronger cough suppressants can stop a vicious cycle of coughing leading to more irritation of the bronchial tubes, which in turn causes more coughing.
•	Bronchodilator inhalers will help open airways and decrease wheezing.
•	Though antibiotics play a limited role in treating bronchitis, they become necessary in some situations.
•	In particular, if the doctor suspects a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed.
•	People with chronic lung problems also usually are treated with antibiotics.
•	In rare cases, the patient may be hospitalized if they experience breathing difficulty that doesn't respond to treatment. This usually occurs because of a complication of bronchitis, not bronchitis itself.


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