Acute Bronchitis

Question 1

Pathophysiology of acute bronchitis

Answer 1

• self-limiting chest infection (~3 weeks)
• inflammation of trachea + major bronchi
• oedematous, large airways
• increased sputum production

Question 2

Symptoms of acute bronchitis

Answer 2

• cough (+/- sputum)
• sore throat
• rhinorrhoea
• wheeze
• low grade fever

Question 3

Diagnosing acute bronchitis

Answer 3

• clinical
• CRP levels >100

Question 4

Differentials for acute bronchitis

Answer 4

pneumonia (will have focal chest signs, dullness, dyspnoea)

Question 5

Management of acute bronchitis

Answer 5

Conservative:
- analgesia, fluids
- antibiotics (meets criteria): doxycycline

Question 6

Criteria for antibiotics in acute bronchitis

Answer 6

• systemically very unwell
• comorbidities
• CRp 20-100 (delayed prescription)
• CRP > 100 (immediate prescription)