Bronchitis and dry cough: what to know

Inflamed airways may react to ordinary sensations such as a deep breath, speaking, cool air, or a tickle in the throat. A dry cough can follow a viral infection and may change into a mucus-producing cough as irritation settles. It is also seen with asthma, allergic rhinitis, acid reflux, and chronic cough. Bronchiolitis is a separate illness, mainly affecting young children, so age and breathing effort are relevant when a child is coughing.

Drink fluids regularly, use warm drinks to soothe the throat, and avoid tobacco smoke, vaping, dust, and strong fragrances. Rest your voice if talking triggers bouts. A pharmacist can help you choose symptom relief that fits your age, pregnancy status, allergies, and current medicines. Keep track of cough triggers, sleep disruption, wheeze, fever, and breathlessness. Do not use antibiotics or an inhaler without advice about your specific symptoms.

Arrange a review if the cough is persistent, worsening, repeatedly disturbing sleep, or accompanied by wheeze, chest pain, fever, breathlessness, or coughing up blood. Seek emergency care for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, confusion, fainting, or a sudden marked decline. A child who is working hard to breathe, feeding poorly, or unusually sleepy needs urgent assessment.

Ask whether the examination supports acute bronchitis and whether asthma, reflux, allergy, or another cause should be checked. Ask how long to monitor the cough, which treatment is suitable, and which changes mean you should seek urgent care.