What does coughing up phlegm feel like with acute bronchitis?

A cough may begin dry and become chesty as mucus builds. You might feel rattling, bubbling, or congestion behind the breastbone, followed by sticky sputum reaching the throat. Phlegm can be clear, white, yellow, or green; colour by itself does not establish the cause or show that antibiotics are needed. Soreness in the chest or abdominal muscles can follow repeated coughing. Wheezing, a scratchy throat, tiredness, and a mild fever may accompany the illness.

Drink fluids regularly to help keep secretions easier to move, rest, and avoid smoke or other airway irritants. Warm drinks may soothe a raw throat. Coughing gently can help clear mucus, but do not force repeated bouts that leave you dizzy or exhausted. A pharmacist or clinician can advise whether a suitable symptom treatment fits your health history, medicines, pregnancy status, or age. Acute bronchitis commonly follows an infection and should be reviewed if symptoms are worsening rather than easing.

Get urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, blue lips, confusion, fainting, or coughing up blood. Contact a clinician promptly if breathing becomes harder, fever is persistent or returning, you cannot keep fluids down, or you have a lung condition that makes infections harder to manage. Children, older adults, and people with weakened immunity may need earlier advice.

Ask whether your chest sounds clear, whether you need testing for another infection, and which measures are safe with your existing medicines. Clarify what change in breathing, fever, or sputum should lead to a review, and whether work, exercise, or contact with vulnerable people should be limited while you are unwell.