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DESCRIPTION:
OVERVIEW OF
ACUTE
BRONCHITIS
AND COUGH
ILLNESS
DIAGNOSIS
ACUTE
BRONCHITIS VS.
COUGH
ILLNESS
Acute Bronchitis
Individual presents with the following:
Chilliness
Malaise
Soreness and constriction behind
sternum
Coughing
Slight fever of 100 to 102 degrees
fahrenheit
Cough at first dry and painful
Later mucopurulent expectoration that
becomes free as inflammation
subsides
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Body aches
This diagnosis does not require
antibiotics.
Cough Illness
Individual presents with the
following:
Cough for more than 10 days
Pertussis
Pneumonia
Chronic pulmonary disease
TREATMENT
FOR
BRONCHITIS/
COUGH
ILLNESS
General Treatment:
Antibiotic Treatment:
Do not prescribe antibiotics for uncomplicated acute bronchitis/cough
illness. Acute bronchitis almost always gets better on its own.
Consider antibiotics for a prolonged cough that lasts more than 10 days.
o Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection may cause pneumonia and
prolonged cough, usually in children older than 5 years of age. A
macrolide agent (or tetracycline in children 8 years of age or older)
may be used for treatment.
o Children with underlying chronic pulmonary disease (not including
asthma) may occasionally benefit from antibiotic therapy for acute
exacerbations.
o Pertussis should be treated according to established clinical
recommendations.
FOLLOW-UP
PATIENT
EDUCATION
Advise patient about the usual natural history of the illness and how
long it usually lasts.
Reassure the patient that antibiotics are not needed immediately because
they usually do not make a difference to the symptoms and may have
side effects like diarrhea, vomiting or rash.
This guideline is an educational tool to aid clinical decision making. It is not a standard of care.
The physician should adapt this guideline when clinical judgment so indicates.
REFERENCE PERSONS:
Bennett Mitchell MD, Adult Medicine, Southwest Medical Associates
REFERENCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Careful Antibiotic Use, Academic Detailing Sheets
for Judicious Treatment: Summary for Otitis Media, Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Pharyngitis, Cough
Illness/Bronchitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult Appropriate Antibiotic Use Summary:
Physician Information Sheet (Adults).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Acute Cough Illness (Acute Bronchitis): Physician
Information Sheet (Adults).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Appropriate Treatment Summary: Physician
Information Sheet (Pediatrics).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cough Illness/Bronchitis: Physician Information
Sheet (Pediatrics).
Snow V, Mottur-Pilson, C, Gonzales R. Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment
of Acute Bronchitis in Adults. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2001:134: 518-520.
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Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Uncomplicated Acute Bronchitis:
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September, 2008.
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Bronchitis) Fact Sheets.
AAFP Conditions A to Z (2010): Acute Bronchitis, American Academy of Family
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John G. Bartlett, MD.
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College of Physicians 2010, posted 1/11/2011 on http://online.statref.com.