Acute / Chronic Tracheitis / Bronchitis Quiz
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Cough
Phlegm
Sore throat
Frequent and violent coughing
Shortness of breath in the morning
Have a fever
Tickly cough
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Acute / Chronic Tracheitis / Bronchitis?
Inflammation of the airways, typically caused by flu viruses spreading to the airways. Symptoms include strong coughing, increased phlegm, fever, and tiredness. It is usually caused by viruses rather than bacteria.
Typical Symptoms of Acute / Chronic Tracheitis / Bronchitis
- Warm hands and feet
- Discharge of yellow or green sputum.
- Sudden, violent bursts of coughing
- Fatigue or low energy that is worse in the morning
- Difficulty breathing that is worse at night or early morning
- Cough
- Fever
- Cough that worsens at night
Diagnostic Questions for Acute / Chronic Tracheitis / Bronchitis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have warm hands and feet?
- Do you have yellow or green sputum?
- Do you have sudden, violent bursts of coughing?
- Do you experience fatigue or low energy that is worse in the morning?
- Is your difficulty breathing worse at night or early morning?
Treatment of Acute / Chronic Tracheitis / Bronchitis
This condition usually improves without treatment. The doctor may prescribe medicines for the symptoms, such as cough suppressants and fever medications. Some patients may need an inhaler to help them breathe better during the illness.
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)
Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Symptoms Related to Acute / Chronic Tracheitis / Bronchitis
Diseases Related to Acute / Chronic Tracheitis / Bronchitis
FAQs
Q.
Cough Won’t Quit? Why Tessalon Perles Work + Medically Approved Steps
A.
Tessalon perles (benzonatate) numb cough receptors in the airways to quiet a dry, persistent or post viral cough without affecting breathing, but they are not for mucus producing coughs and must be swallowed whole. There are several factors to consider. Medically approved steps like hydration, humidified air, avoiding irritants, and treating the underlying cause are key, and red flags such as a cough over 8 weeks, blood, high fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath need prompt care; see below for complete guidance on safe use, side effects, and the right next steps.
References:
* Wright CE, Perrotti M, DeGeorge K. Benzonatate. [Updated 2023 Feb 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538466/
* Ma J, Huang T, Lin J, He J. Pharmacological treatment of chronic cough: a systematic review. J Thorac Dis. 2020 Feb;12(2):641-662. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2020.01.10. PMID: 32175057; PMCID: PMC7059437.
* Morice AH, Millqvist E, Bieksiene K, Farrell MJ, Kavanagh J, Lai K, Landingin R, Larsson L, McGarvey L, Ostrem A, Tonia T, van der Graaf EAC, van der Plas R, Wirz S, Zachrisson O, Zachrisson O, Diamant Z. ERS guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in adults and children. Eur Respir J. 2020 Oct 15;56(4):2000529. doi: 10.1183/13993003.00529-2020. Print 2020 Oct. PMID: 32581024; PMCID: PMC7565860.
* Song WJ, Chang YS, Faruqi S, Kim HY, Kang MG, Kim S, Jo EJ, Lee SE, Kim SH, Tak YJ, Lee B, Lee JM, Doré S, Lee SJ, Kim MA, Kim MH, Yoon MK, Kim HR, Kim J, Choi J, Lee SY, Mo JH, Kim DJ, Kim JY, Lee SS, Kim MY, Kim HJ, Kim MK, Ye YM, Phipatanakul W, Sampson HA, Chae CS, Lee S. Post-infectious cough: a diagnosis of exclusion. J Thorac Dis. 2016 Oct;8(10):2750-2756. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2016.09.91. PMID: 27867499; PMCID: PMC5079555.
* Simpson CB. Non-pharmacological approaches to the treatment of chronic cough. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2023 Dec 22:102377. doi: 10.1016/j.pulpt.2023.102377. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38144005.
Q.
Coughing Up Blood? Why Hemoptysis Happens & Your Medical Next Steps
A.
Coughing up blood, or hemoptysis, means blood from your lungs or airways and can result from infections, chronic lung disease, pulmonary embolism, or lung cancer. The amount of blood does not always reflect how serious it is, and you should seek urgent care for large amounts or if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness. There are several factors to consider; see below for how to tell the source of bleeding, key risk factors, the tests doctors use, and treatment options that can guide your next steps.
References:
* Sakr L, Dutau H, Maldonado F. Hemoptysis: Etiologies, Evaluation, and Management. Med Clin North Am. 2020 Mar;104(2):331-344. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2019.11.003. PMID: 32103810.
* Mondoni M, Sferrazza Bocca G, Mescia T, Saderi L, Zompatori M, Carlucci A, Cava M, Dormi A, Fietta AM, Pasotti E, Piloni D, Trovati R, Santus P. Hemoptysis: a multidisciplinary approach. Eur Respir Rev. 2021 Jun 30;30(160):210061. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0061-2021. PMID: 34162799.
* Saki O, Zampieri FG, Singh M, Krustev S, Ghofrani A, Alabousi A, Kumar A, Gupta A, Lellouche F. Massive Hemoptysis: A Clinical Review. Crit Care Med. 2022 May 1;50(5):e452-e462. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005408. PMID: 35139049.
* Wong TJL, Chee AJS, Cheong THT. Management of hemoptysis. Respirology. 2020 Jul;25(7):725-738. doi: 10.1111/resp.13788. PMID: 32249567.
* Radchenko D, Sachdeva M, Kothari CJ, Munjal A, Soni T, Patel BC. Hemoptysis: Diagnosis and Management. J Thorac Dis. 2017 May;9(5):1377-1388. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2017.04.14. PMID: 28546153; PMCID: PMC5463768.
Q.
Chest Rattling? Why Bronchitis Lingers & Steps to Breathe Again
A.
Bronchitis commonly causes chest rattling, as swollen airways and excess mucus create crackling sounds and a cough that can linger 3 to 4 weeks even after the infection clears. There are several factors to consider and proven ways to feel better, from hydration, humidified air, controlled coughing, and avoiding smoke to understanding when inhalers or antibiotics help and when to seek urgent care. See below for complete details that can affect your next steps, including warning signs, timelines, and prevention.
References:
* Hersh, A. L., et al. (2011). Acute bronchitis: an update on diagnosis and management. *American Family Physician*, *84*(5), 543-550.
* Kinkade, S. (2020). Acute Bronchitis in Adults: A Review of Current Evidence for Diagnosis and Treatment. *American Family Physician*, *101*(1), 28-34.
* Morice, A. H., et al. (2010). Pathophysiology and management of acute cough. *BMJ*, *340*, c124.
* Smith, S. M., et al. (2020). Management of acute cough in adults: current recommendations and unresolved issues. *CMAJ*, *192*(23), E629-E635.
* Aberle, J. H. (2016). Acute bronchitis: aetiology, diagnosis and treatment. *Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift*, *166*(13-14), 450-456.
Q.
Chest Rattling? Why Your Lungs Trap Mucus & Medically Approved Relief Steps
A.
Chest rattling is most often from excess or thick mucus in the airways due to colds or flu, bronchitis, asthma, or irritants, and it’s usually temporary; approved relief includes good hydration, steam or a humidifier, gentle movement and controlled coughing, and an expectorant like Mucinex to thin and clear mucus while the cause is addressed. Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, chest pain, high fever, coughing blood, or symptoms lasting beyond about 3 weeks or if you have chronic lung disease. There are several factors to consider; see below for complete details that can guide your next steps.
References:
* Fushimi Y, Shimizu Y. Physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of mucus clearance in the airways. J Physiol Sci. 2020 Sep;70(1):50. doi: 10.1186/s12576-020-00778-0. Epub 2020 Jul 16. PMID: 32671049; PMCID: PMC7364177.
* Guo X, Chen X, Yang P, Guo Z, Li J. Mucus hypersecretion in chronic airway diseases: current perspectives and novel therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2023 Nov 9;8(1):410. doi: 10.1038/s41392-023-01633-z. PMID: 37943486; PMCID: PMC10636402.
* Bozkurt-Karabostan G, Çolak Y, Ekinci E, Karabostan H, Yıldırım C, Sarıtaş N. The Role of Mucolytics, Expectorants, and Other Agents in the Management of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Clin Med Insights Circ Respir Pulm Med. 2020 Aug 26;14:1179548420950334. doi: 10.1177/1179548420950334. PMID: 32903734; PMCID: PMC7453187.
* Thornton DJ, Rousseau K, Macchione M. The Mucus Barrier: An Evolving Paradigm of Respiratory Health. Annu Rev Physiol. 2022 Feb 10;84:169-188. doi: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-052521-040217. Epub 2021 Nov 17. PMID: 35560934.
* Kim V, Ye K, Ji Y, Lu X, Zhu Q, Zhou S. Pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies for airway mucus in chronic respiratory diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 29;22(7):3556. doi: 10.3390/ijms22073556. PMID: 33804245; PMCID: PMC8038541.
Q.
Constant Cough? Why Your Lungs are Smoldering + Medical Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. A cough lasting more than 3 weeks can signal lingering airway inflammation or conditions like bronchitis, asthma, GERD, environmental irritants, or tuberculosis, especially if accompanied by blood, fever, night sweats, weight loss, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Next steps include tracking duration and symptoms, avoiding smoke, staying hydrated, and seeing a clinician for evaluation with tests like a chest X-ray, sputum and TB testing, and lung function studies; treatment ranges from self-care to inhalers to months of TB antibiotics. For the complete details that can shape your next move, see below.
References:
* Morice AH, et al. Chronic Cough: A Comprehensive Review. Respirology. 2021 Apr;26(4):325-342. doi: 10.1111/resp.14001. Epub 2020 Dec 28. PMID: 33369239.
* Chung KF. Mechanisms of chronic cough: a focus on the cough hypersensitivity syndrome. Eur Respir J. 2017 Jul 1;50(1):1700600. doi: 10.1183/13993003.00600-2017. PMID: 28663421.
* Morice AH, et al. International consensus on the management of chronic cough. Eur Respir J. 2020 Jan 23;55(1):1901136. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01136-2019. Print 2020 Jan. PMID: 31727715.
* Ing AJ, et al. Gastroesophageal Reflux and Chronic Cough: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Management. Pulm Ther. 2019 Jun;5(1):57-69. doi: 10.1007/s41030-019-0078-4. Epub 2019 Apr 12. PMID: 31016629; PMCID: PMC6513904.
* Kasi A, et al. Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (Postnasal Drip Syndrome). StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. PMID: 32644703.
Q.
Suffocating Cough? Why Your Lungs Are Rattling & Medically Approved RSV Steps
A.
A rattling, suffocating cough often signals mucus and airway inflammation from RSV; most cases improve in 3 to 7 days though cough can linger 2 to 3 weeks, and severe illness is more likely in infants, premature babies, adults over 65, and people with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or weakened immunity. Medically approved steps include fluids, age-appropriate acetaminophen or ibuprofen, a clean cool-mist humidifier, saline with gentle suction for infants, and rest, while avoiding OTC cough meds in young children and unnecessary antibiotics; seek urgent care for fast or labored breathing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, poor feeding, or worsening symptoms. There are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below for important prevention options, red flags by age, and how to decide when to speak to a doctor.
References:
* Yeo C, Lim WS, Fan H, et al. Management of acute respiratory syncytial virus infection: a review. J Intensive Care Med. 2020;35(11):1321-1331. doi:10.1177/0885066619869274. PMID: 31446700.
* Morice AH, Jakes AD, Farooqi F, et al. Chronic cough: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Intern Med J. 2019;49(10):1206-1215. doi:10.1111/imj.14620. PMID: 31580459.
* Kaur R, Kaur A, Pal G. Respiratory syncytial virus infection: global epidemiology, clinical impact, and therapeutic and prophylactic interventions. J Biomed Sci. 2022;29(1):16. doi:10.1186/s40104-022-00647-8. PMID: 35193630.
* Singh A, Singla N, Gautam P, et al. Acute bronchitis: an overview of the disease and its management. J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(6):1872-1877. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_258_19. PMID: 31396556.
* Piedra PA. New tools for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infection. Int J Infect Dis. 2023;135:S1-S6. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2023.08.019. PMID: 37604300.
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Singh A, Avula A, Zahn E. Acute Bronchitis. 2024 Mar 9. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 28846312.
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7151913/Kinkade S, Long NA. Acute Bronchitis. Am Fam Physician. 2016 Oct 1;94(7):560-565. PMID: 27929206.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27929206/