Bronchitis is a respiratory condition that causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The main symptoms of bronchitis are cough and mucus production. Bronchitis often does cause a wet, productive cough as excess mucus is produced in the lungs. However, the type of cough can vary depending on if you have acute or chronic bronchitis.
Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is a short-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, usually caused by a viral infection. The most common cause is the flu virus. Acute bronchitis often develops a few days after having cold or flu symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, and body aches.
With acute bronchitis, the cough is often wet because the bronchial tubes produce more mucus. The excess mucus triggers a wet cough as your body tries to expel the phlegm from the lungs. Other symptoms of acute bronchitis can include:
- Wet, mucus-producing cough
- Slight fever and chills
- Sore throat
- Fatigue and weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort or tightness
The wet cough from acute bronchitis often lasts for 1-3 weeks but can persist for up to 8 weeks. The mucus may start out thin and watery but become thicker and discolored later on. Once the infection clears, the cough usually goes away on its own.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes. It is defined as a productive cough (cough that brings up mucus) lasting at least 3 months for two consecutive years. The most common cause is cigarette smoking or exposure to air pollution over many years.
Like acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis also causes increased mucus production and a wet, productive cough. Other symptoms include:
- Frequent cough that produces sputum (phlegm)
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- Fatigue
The excess mucus in the bronchial tubes stimulates the cough reflex. You end up with a chronic wet cough trying to clear out the mucus. Unlike acute bronchitis though, the cough persists and occurs year-round. It may flare up worse during cold and flu season.
Wet vs Dry Cough
Bronchitis often causes a wet, productive cough. However, sometimes the cough can be dry. Here is the difference between wet and dry cough:
| Wet Cough | Dry Cough |
|---|---|
| Produces sputum (phlegm) | No sputum production |
| Sounds rattly or congested | No rattling or congestion |
| Often severe | Mild to moderate |
| Due to excess mucus production | Due to airway irritation/inflammation |
With bronchitis, a wet cough is more common. But some people may have a dry cough if the bronchial inflammation is mild or sputum is sticky and hard to cough up.
What Color Mucus Indicates
Checking the color and consistency of your mucus can provide clues about the stage of your bronchial infection:
| Mucus Type | Indication |
|---|---|
| Clear or white | Early stages of a respiratory infection |
| Yellow or green | Infection is progressing and involves neutrophils (white blood cells) |
| Dark yellow or brown | Infection is advanced and mucus has pigment from dead cells |
| Bloody | Advanced infection causing damage and bleeding in lungs |
As a respiratory infection progresses, the mucus often changes from clear to yellow/green. Darker phlegm indicates an advanced infection. Seek medical attention if you cough up blood or bloody mucus.
How Long Does Bronchitis Cough Last?
For acute bronchitis, the wet cough usually lasts 1-3 weeks but can persist for up to 8 weeks. The infection has to run its course. Getting rest and staying hydrated can help. Cough medicines provide symptom relief but don’t treat the underlying infection.
A chronic bronchitis cough typically lasts for months or years with flare ups. Quitting smoking and avoiding pollutants and irritants can help reduce coughing episodes. Inhaled bronchodilators like albuterol help open the airways while corticosteroids reduce inflammation.
See a doctor if your cough lasts over 3 weeks or comes with concerning symptoms like high fever, difficulty breathing, or bloody mucus. An untreated respiratory infection can lead to complications like pneumonia.
Treatments for Bronchitis Cough
Although antibiotics are not effective for viral bronchitis, some treatments can help manage the wet cough and other symptoms:
- Cough medicine – Over-the-counter cough suppressants can reduce cough frequency. Expectorants help thin mucus while antihistamines dry up excess moisture.
- Inhaled bronchodilators – Albuterol inhalers relax bronchial muscles to open up airways.
- Corticosteroids – Oral or inhaled steroids decrease inflammation in bronchial tubes.
- Mucolytics – Oral drugs like guaifenesin reduce mucus thickness.
- Humidifier – Moist air loosens mucus secretions and prevents dry airways.
- Fluids – Drink lots of water to thin out mucus and prevent dehydration.
- Rest – Get extra rest to help your immune system fight infection.
Using cough remedies and breathing treatments can provide symptom relief. But letting the viral or bacterial infection run its course is the only way to fully resolve acute bronchitis.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if you experience:
- Cough lasting over 3 weeks
- Worsening or severe cough
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough with fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Cough interfering with work, school, or sleep
- Cough producing bloody, brown, or green mucus
A persistent cough can signal an underlying complication like pneumonia, so it’s important to seek medical care. Your doctor will listen to your breathing, order chest X-rays, and may collect a sputum sample.
For chronic bronchitis, only smoking cessation and avoiding pollutants can control symptoms long-term. Your doctor will create an asthma-like action plan to manage flare ups with quick-relief inhalers and oral steroids.
Home Remedies
You can try some home remedies to get temporary relief from bronchitis cough:
- Salt water gargle – Helps soothe sore throat and loosen mucus.
- Chicken soup – Provides hydration and congestion relief.
- Peppermint tea – Thins out mucus secretions.
- Honey – Soothes cough reflex and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Turmeric milk – Has expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Ginger tea – Reduces inflammation and suppresses coughing.
- Pepper and honey – Has soothing, antibacterial effects.
While home remedies can temporarily alleviate coughing, they do not treat the underlying infection causing bronchitis. See a doctor if cough lasts more than 3 weeks or you have difficulty breathing.
Prevention
You can take some steps to avoid developing acute or chronic bronchitis:
- Avoid cigarette smoke and air pollution.
- Use a face mask in cold weather.
- Wash hands frequently to prevent viral infections.
- Get an annual flu vaccine.
- Use bronchodilators as prescribed if you have asthma/COPD.
- Avoid irritants like dust, chemicals, and strong fumes.
Practicing good hygiene, getting recommended vaccines, and staying away from lung irritants can help prevent acute bronchial infections. Quitting smoking is key to avoiding chronic bronchitis.
Conclusion
Bronchitis often causes a wet, mucus-producing cough as excess phlegm builds up in the lungs. Acute viral bronchitis typically lasts 1-3 weeks while chronic bronchitis is a persistent condition requiring long-term management.
See a doctor if you have an uncontrolled cough, trouble breathing, bloody mucus, or a fever over 100.4°F (38°C). Though uncomfortable, letting a bronchial infection run its course is necessary for the cough to resolve. Home remedies and expectorants can provide symptom relief in the meantime.
Quitting smoking, avoiding pollutants, and getting immunized are key ways to prevent acute and chronic bronchitis. Practicing good hand hygiene also keeps viral respiratory infections at bay. Seeking treatment for persistent wet coughs can help prevent complications like pneumonia.