Therapy is aimed at control of inflammation, infection, bronchoconstriction, and mucin production. Corticosteroids improve flow rates in patient with respiratory insufficiency. Gram's stain of expectorated sputum often allows targeted and cost-effective therapy. Research on future therapy may focus on the role of corticosteroids, mucolytic agents, and drugs that counteract the effects of neutrophil elastase. Smoking cessation is the first step in prevention.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is warranted only in patients with four or more exacerbations per year.
Background Information Acute bronchitis , inflammation of the bronchial tubes, can occur in people of any age, though in children it is harder to distinguish from upper respiratory infections and colds. Symptoms may include runny nose, sore throat, dry cough, and a low grade fever lasting 3 to 5 days. Most cases occur in the winter months, often developing after a common cold or other viral infection. Acute bronchitis usually lasts less than a week, although the cough may continue for several weeks. If the fever persists, or if there is pus in the sputum, antibiotics should be given.