What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?

The cough may begin dry and later bring up clear, white, yellow, or green mucus. Soreness behind the breastbone can come from repeated coughing. Other symptoms may include a scratchy throat, blocked nose, mild fever, chills, body aches, and low energy.

Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the larger breathing tubes, often after a common cold or another viral infection. Wheezing or shortness of breath can occur when the airways narrow. The colour of mucus alone cannot tell whether antibiotics will help.

Rest, drink fluids, avoid cigarette smoke, and use warm drinks or honey for throat irritation when suitable. A pharmacist can discuss symptom relief and check whether an over-the-counter medicine is safe with your conditions and medicines.

A GP consultation can help when the cough is troublesome, you have asthma or another lung condition, or the diagnosis is uncertain. Antibiotic treatment is not routinely useful when acute bronchitis is viral; a clinician decides whether it is indicated.

Seek urgent help for severe shortness of breath, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, chest pain, or coughing up more than a small streak of blood. Arrange prompt review for a worsening cough, persistent high fever, dehydration, breathing difficulty, or symptoms in a young child, older adult, or person with chronic lung disease.

Does this fit acute bronchitis or another chest problem? Do I need a breathing assessment? What can I use safely for the cough? Would a nebuliser treatment help my wheeze? Which changes should make me seek urgent care?