Bronchitis in Adults: Symptoms and Treatment

Bronchitis is one of the most common respiratory tract conditions. Its symptoms are familiar to many: a cough that lingers for weeks, chest pain, difficulty breathing. What bronchitis is, why it develops, and how to treat it properly — explained by Kandinsky Clinic physicians: family medicine physician and hematologist Dmitry Kravchenko and family medicine physician Vasily Kropochev.

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous lining of the bronchi — the branching airways that carry air into the lungs. The inflammation irritates their walls and triggers excessive mucus production. That is why the main sign of bronchitis is a cough: dry at first, then wet with sputum.

Bronchitis is among the most common causes of cough in adults and frequently prompts a visit to the doctor.

Types of bronchitis

Treatment tactics largely depend on the type of bronchitis. Several forms of the disease are distinguished.

Acute bronchitis — an acute inflammation that develops quickly, usually following a viral infection, and resolves within 1–3 weeks. This is the most typical form.

Chronic bronchitis — a long-term inflammation of the bronchi in which a productive cough persists for at least three months a year over two or more consecutive years. The chronic form is often linked to smoking and falls under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The inflammation may be accompanied by narrowing of the airways and difficulty exhaling. This is more common in people with asthma.

What causes bronchitis

The most frequent cause is viruses. According to research, 85–95% of acute bronchitis cases are viral in origin.

Bacteria cause bronchitis far less often. Common bacterial culprits include streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, and mycoplasma. Bacterial bronchitis requires a specific treatment approach under medical supervision: identifying the exact cause and selecting the right therapy is only possible based on test results.

Other factors can also trigger bronchitis:

• Smoking — one of the leading causes of chronic bronchitis. Tobacco smoke constantly irritates the bronchial lining
• Air pollution — prolonged inhalation of dust is also a contributing factor for the chronic form
• A weakened immune system — frequent respiratory infections and stress make the bronchi more vulnerable
• Gastroesophageal reflux — stomach acid can irritate the mucous lining and cause a chronic cough.

Age itself is not a risk factor, but keep in mind: in older adults, bronchitis tends to be more severe and prolonged, with a higher likelihood of complications.

Symptoms of bronchitis

Symptoms in adults vary depending on the form of the disease. The acute form typically presents with:

• Cough — dry at first, then wet with sputum; this is the main symptom of bronchitis
• Fever — usually up to 38–38.5°C
• General weakness and malaise
• Chest pain or discomfort when coughing
• In the obstructive form — possible difficulty breathing, wheezing, and shortness of breath

Acute bronchitis appears suddenly, often on the heels of a cold or flu, and resolves within a few weeks with proper treatment.

The chronic form has a broader set of manifestations:

• A cough lasting for months — usually with sputum
• Shortness of breath during physical activity, gradually worsening over time, with declining exercise tolerance
• Recurrent flare-ups during the colder months

Dmitry Kravchenko, Family Medicine Physician and Hematologist at Kandinsky Clinic:

"Bronchitis often starts like a common cold, and many people try to manage it at home. But there are clear markers: if there is no improvement within 7 days, if a fever above 38.5°C lasts longer than three days, or if shortness of breath appears — do not delay seeing a doctor. It is important to understand that lingering bronchitis is more dangerous than it seems. It can become chronic or lead to complications. The earlier a doctor makes the diagnosis, the easier it is to choose the right treatment. Viral and bacterial bronchitis are treated differently."

What does breathing sound like with bronchitis?

The character of a patient's breathing helps the doctor determine the form of the disease.

In acute bronchitis, breathing is rapid and may be accompanied by whistling or buzzing wheezes. These occur due to narrowing of the inflamed airways and mucus buildup. A distinctive feature: wheezing in bronchitis is unstable — it changes or temporarily disappears after coughing, whereas in pneumonia it remains unchanged.

In the obstructive form, breathing is particularly difficult on exhalation. Patients report a feeling of chest tightness, and shortness of breath may occur even at rest.

In the chronic form, breathing becomes harsh with a prolonged exhalation, and wheezing persists even outside of flare-ups.

How to tell bronchitis from pneumonia

Pneumonia usually causes a higher fever. In bronchitis, the inflammation affects only the bronchi; in pneumonia, it involves the lung tissue itself.

Only a specialist can determine which condition is causing your symptoms — bronchitis or pneumonia. Do not draw conclusions on your own. A misjudged diagnosis can cost you time and make things worse.

How the diagnosis is made

Symptoms and treatment of bronchitis are closely linked. Based on the presenting signs, the doctor determines which tests are needed and may order:

• A chest X-ray or CT scan
• A complete blood count to assess the inflammatory process
• Sputum analysis, if bacterial bronchitis is suspected, to identify the pathogen
• Pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen saturation

Treatment of bronchitis

The treatment approach depends on the type of bronchitis. The key principle, established in international clinical guidelines: viral bronchitis does not require antibiotics.

For acute bronchitis, symptomatic treatment is recommended. It includes:

• Mucolytics and expectorants to help clear sputum. These can be started from the first days of illness
• Cough suppressants for a painful dry cough that interferes with sleep. These should only be used in short courses and as prescribed by a doctor
• Antipyretics for high fever
• Plenty of fluids (hydration supports the body's natural recovery mechanisms)
• Bed rest during the acute phase

Most patients with acute viral bronchitis are treated at home on an outpatient basis.

When are antibiotics needed?

Antibiotics for bronchitis are justified only when a bacterial infection is confirmed. This decision is made exclusively by a doctor.

Vasily Kropochev, Family Medicine Physician at Kandinsky Clinic:

"Treating bronchitis with antibiotics without proper indications means harming yourself twice: failing to cure the illness and disrupting your microbiome. When a patient comes in with bronchitis, we first need to understand its nature. Only then can we discuss specific medications."

How long does bronchitis last?

One of the most common questions: how long does bronchitis take to resolve? In the acute viral form, the cough may persist for up to 3 weeks, sometimes longer.

Chronic bronchitis behaves differently — symptoms build up gradually. It cannot be fully cured, but with the right approach, stable remission is achievable.

Treating bronchitis at home: dos and don'ts

For mild cases, home treatment comes down to simple measures:

• Drink at least 1.5–2 litres of fluids per day
• Humidify the indoor air (especially relevant in Dubai)
• Avoid physical exertion during the acute phase
• Do not smoke (smoking slows recovery)
• Do not take antibiotics without a doctor's prescription
• Do not endure a fever above 38.5°C

When to see a doctor urgently

There are situations where a doctor's visit cannot wait:

• A fever above 39°C that does not subside
• A cough lasting more than three weeks or getting worse
• Shortness of breath at rest or chest pain
• Sputum turning rust-coloured or bloody
• A sudden deterioration in your condition

These signs may indicate pneumonia or another serious condition.

Preventing bronchitis

Prevention includes several evidence-based measures:

• Quitting smoking to prevent chronic bronchitis
• Flu vaccination to reduce the risk of viral infections
• Hand hygiene
• Regular ventilation of indoor spaces
• Timely treatment of respiratory infections

Prevention is especially important for older adults and smokers.

Bronchitis in Dubai

In Dubai, bronchitis can occur at any time of year. Sharp temperature swings between the outdoors and air-conditioned spaces put constant strain on the respiratory tract. The dry air from air conditioning irritates the bronchial lining, which can trigger symptoms even in healthy people.

Treatment of bronchitis at Kandinsky Clinic

At Kandinsky Clinic in Dubai, our family medicine physicians and pediatricians will help identify the cause of your cough, establish an accurate diagnosis, and select a treatment plan to relieve symptoms and support recovery. How long treatment takes depends on the form of bronchitis and the patient's individual health profile.

We rely exclusively on evidence-based diagnostic and treatment methods — with no unnecessary prescriptions. If needed, tests can be done at Kandinsky Clinic's own laboratory.

The clinic also offers flu vaccination — one of the most effective ways to protect against the viral infections that trigger bronchitis.

Learn more about our doctors on our website. To book an appointment with a family medicine physician in Dubai, contact us via WhatsApp or call the clinic at +971 4 563 1200.

Sources

• NCBI: Acute Bronchitis
• UpToDate. Acute bronchitis in adults
• NICE guideline NG120. Cough (acute): antimicrobial prescribing. 2019

Authors:

Dmitry Kravchenko, Family Medicine Physician, Hematologist at Kandinsky Clinic, PhD in Medicine, 15 years of experience (DHA License: No. 10283459-001)

Vasily Kropochev, Family Medicine Physician, Gastroenterologist at Kandinsky Clinic, 10 years of experience (DHA License: No. 16235434-001)

Medical editor: Olga Polikina, Chief Medical Officer at Kandinsky Clinic, PhD in Medicine Content reviewed on: 03.08.2026

This article is intended for educational purposes and does not replace an in-person consultation with a doctor.