Acute Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis

1. Pathophysiology

   • Inflammation of the bronchi
   • Commonly Viral
     • Commonly viral: adenovirus, parainfluenza, influenza, coronavirus, rhinovirus, coxsackie, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
   • Bacterial Causes
     • Bacterial Causes: Less Common S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, mycoplasma

2. Presentation

   • Cough
     • Present for at LEAST 5 days, usually lasts 1-3 weeks
   • Dyspnea, wheezing, rhonchi
   • Runny nose, low grade fever, malaise, sore throat
   • Hemoptysis

3. Diagnostics

   • CLINICAL Dx
   • No imaging required
     • CXR usually normal/nonspecific 

4. Management

   • Supportive tx
     • Tx sx w/ fluids, antitussives, antipyretics, analgesics
   • Abx not usually indicated

5. Complications

   • The following complications occur in ~10% of patients with acute bronchitis
   • Bacterial Superinfection
   • Pneumonia
     • Develops in ~5% of pts with bronchitis (incidence of subsequent PNA, unaffected by abx tx)
   • Chronic Bronchitis
     • May develop with repeated episodes of acute bronchitis
   • Hemoptysis