When is GP consultation recommended for acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the larger airways, often after a viral infection. It can cause cough with phlegm, chest discomfort, tiredness, wheezing, or a mild fever. The cough can linger after the initial infection has improved. A GP can listen to your chest, check breathing, and consider pneumonia, asthma, or another cause when symptoms are more severe or unusual. Antibiotics are not automatically useful because many cases are not caused by bacteria.

Rest, drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration, and avoid tobacco smoke. Record when the cough began, whether phlegm is changing, any fever, and whether activity makes breathing harder. A pharmacist can advise about symptom relief and suitable medicines, especially if you take regular treatment or have asthma, heart disease, or another long-term condition. Avoid sharing antibiotics or using leftover medicines.

Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, coughing blood, fainting, or chest pain that is severe or worsening. Arrange prompt review for breathing difficulty, dehydration, persistent high fever, worsening wheeze, or a cough in someone who is pregnant, older, immunocompromised, or living with significant lung disease.

Ask whether your chest sounds consistent with bronchitis, whether pneumonia or asthma needs checking, which treatments are suitable with your medicines, and what change should prompt reassessment.