If you have bronchitis, you may not need to see your doctor unless your symptoms are severe. If you do see your doctor, they will usually be able to make a diagnosis by asking about your symptoms and listening to your chest using a stethoscope.

Your doctor may need to rule out other lung infections, such as pneumonia, which has symptoms similar to those of bronchitis. If your doctor thinks you may have pneumonia, you will probably need a chest X-ray. Your doctor may also take a sample of mucus for testing.

If your doctor thinks that you may have an undiagnosed underlying condition, such as asthma or emphysema (damage to the small airways in your lungs), they may also suggest a pulmonary function test. Your doctor will ask you to take a deep breath and blow into a device called a spirometer, which measures the volume of air in your lungs. A decreased lung capacity can indicate an underlying health problem.

Treating bronchitis 

Most cases of bronchitis do not need treatment from a doctor and the symptoms can be managed easily at home. There is no cure for chronic bronchitis but healthy living, especially stopping smoking, will help.

1. Managing symptoms at home

If you have bronchitis:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink lots of fluids. This helps prevent dehydration and thins the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough up.
• Treat headaches, fever and aches and pains with paracetamol or ibuprofen (ibuprofen is not recommended if you have asthma).

There is little evidence that cough medicines work and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recommended that over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines should not be given to children under the age of six. 

As an alternative to an OTC cough medicine, try making your own mixture of honey and lemon, which can help soothe a sore throat and ease your cough.

2. Stop smoking

If you smoke, you should stop immediately. Smoking aggravates bronchitis and increases your risk of developing a chronic (long-term) condition. Stopping smoking while you have bronchitis can also be the perfect opportunity to quit altogether.

3. Antibiotics

Although treatment from a doctor is rarely necessary, there may be times when you should see your doctor.

Your doctor will not routinely prescribe antibiotic treatment as bronchitis is nearly always caused by a virus. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and prescribing them when they are unnecessary can, over time, make bacteria more resistant to antibiotic treatment.

Your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics if you have an increased risk of pneumonia. If you are prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis, it is likely to be a five-day course of amoxicillin, oxytetracycline or doxycycline.

Possible side effects of these medicines include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, but they are uncommon.

Preventing bronchitis 

The following advice may help prevent bronchitis.

• Stop smoking. Tobacco smoke can make a current infection worse and makes you much more likely to develop chronic bronchitis.
• Maintain good hygiene. Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, which spreads through either direct contact or through coughing and sneezing. Washing your hands often and using disposable tissues can help prevent the spread of infection.

Protect yourself at work. If you work with substances that can irritate your lungs, always wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.

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