Acute bronchitis, often called a chest cold, is swelling of the airways that causes a cough, sometimes with mucus. Viruses cause most cases, and the cough usually clears within 3 weeks. Urgent Care Center of Westmont checks your lungs, rules out pneumonia when needed, and helps you feel better sooner.
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, and the CDC says antibiotics will not help a chest cold.
Chest cold symptoms typically last less than 3 weeks, though a cough can linger longer.
Bronchitis itself is not contagious, but the viruses that cause it are.
See a clinician for a fever that lasts more than 5 days, bloody mucus, shortness of breath or a cough past 3 weeks.
If pneumonia is a concern, a chest X-ray is available at our 29 N Cass Ave clinic.
How we evaluate and treat bronchitis at our Westmont, IL clinic
Urgent Care Center of Westmont, also known as Immediate Care Center of Westmont, sees patients with coughs and chest colds seven days a week at two Westmont, IL clinics. Our team is led by board-certified physicians. Walk in or book a visit online.
Listen to your storyYour clinician asks how long you have been coughing, whether you have fever or wheezing, and whether you smoke or have asthma or COPD.
Examine your chestYour clinician checks your vital signs and listens to your lungs. Cleveland Clinic notes that bronchitis is usually diagnosed this way, without one single test.
Test when it changes the planA rapid flu test or COVID-19 test can find a treatable virus. If pneumonia is possible or the cough has lasted a long time, your clinician may order a chest X-ray, available only at our Cass Ave clinic.
Plan for reliefYour clinician can recommend treatment, which may include prescription medicine when appropriate, such as an inhaler for wheezing, plus home care and clear signs to watch for.
The CDC says antibiotics do not help a chest cold, even when bacteria are involved. Skipping antibiotics you do not need protects you from side effects and helps keep antibiotics working when you do need them.
Bronchitis symptoms: what a chest cold feels like
The CDC lists a cough with or without mucus, tiredness, congestion, sore throat and mild body aches. MedlinePlus adds wheezing, a low fever, chest tightness and some shortness of breath. The cough is often worst at night and after you lie down.
Acute bronchitis (chest cold)
Starts after a cold or flu
Cough with or without mucus
Usually better in under 3 weeks
Mostly caused by viruses
Chronic bronchitis
Cough with mucus most days for 3 months a year, 2 years in a row
Often linked to smoking or COPD
Long-term and managed over time
Usually followed by a primary care clinician
Repeated chest colds, or a cough that keeps coming back, deserve a closer look. Our primary care team can help with long-term lung concerns.
Is bronchitis contagious?
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Bronchitis itself is not contagious, but the germs behind it can be. Cleveland Clinic explains it this way:
Viral bronchitis: the virus can spread for a few days up to about a week.
Bacterial bronchitis: usually no longer contagious about 24 hours after starting antibiotics, when they are needed.
Bronchitis from smoke, dust or fumes: not contagious.
MedlinePlus says the viruses spread through coughing and through touch, such as shaking unwashed hands. Viruses that cause colds and flu are the most common cause. Tobacco smoke, air pollution, dust and chemical fumes can also inflame the airways.
How long does bronchitis last?
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Most people start to feel better within several days, but MedlinePlus notes the cough can hang on for several weeks after the infection clears. The CDC says chest cold symptoms usually last less than 3 weeks.
Typical course of acute bronchitis (general guide)
Time since symptoms began
What is common
When to get checked
Days 1 to 5
Cold symptoms, then a chest cough. Low fever is possible.
Fever of 104°F or higher, or trouble breathing
Week 1 to 2
Fever gone. Energy returns. Cough continues.
Fever lasting more than 5 days, or bloody mucus
Week 2 to 3
Cough slowly fades.
Wheezing or shortness of breath that is not easing
Past 3 weeks
Some people still cough.
Any cough lasting more than 3 weeks
Bronchitis or pneumonia: how to tell the difference
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Both start with a cough, and pneumonia can begin as a chest cold. Bronchitis affects the airways. Pneumonia is an infection deeper in the lungs and tends to make people sicker.
More like bronchitis
Low fever or none
Mild aches and tiredness
Cough is the main problem
Slowly getting better
More like pneumonia
Fever with chills
Shortness of breath
Chest pain when breathing in
Getting worse instead of better
You do not need to sort this out alone. A lung exam, and sometimes an X-ray, gives a clear answer. Our cough symptom guide covers other causes too.
Home care to ease a bronchitis cough
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The CDC recommends these steps to feel better while a chest cold runs its course:
Rest, and drink plenty of fluids.
Use a clean humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer, or breathe in steam from a warm shower.
Try saline nose spray or drops for congestion.
Give honey for cough to anyone age 1 or older. Never give honey to a baby under 1.
Use lozenges for adults and children age 4 and older.
Use over-the-counter medicines as the label directs. They ease symptoms but do not shorten the illness.
Stay away from smoke and other lung irritants.
The CDC advises against cough and cold medicines for children under 6. Ask your clinician about safe choices and doses for kids.
Kids, older adults and people with asthma or COPD
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Young children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions can get sicker from the same virus. Cleveland Clinic lists smoking, asthma, COPD and acid reflux among the risk factors for bronchitis. If you have asthma or COPD, a chest cold can trigger a flare, so start your action plan early and get checked if your usual medicines are not helping.
For children, watch breathing, drinking and energy. A child who is breathing fast, pulling in at the ribs, or drinking very little needs a prompt visit. Our pediatric urgent care team sees kids of all ages.
How to prevent bronchitis
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Get a yearly flu shot and stay current on other recommended vaccines.
Wash your hands often, or use hand sanitizer when soap is not handy.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
Clean surfaces that people touch often during cold and flu season.
Do not smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke, dust and fumes.
Improve indoor air and spend time outdoors when you can, as the CDC suggests.
Cost and insurance for a bronchitis visit
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We accept most major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. Call (630) 324-6825 to confirm your coverage, or see our cost and insurance page for the full list. Self-pay general visits start from $125.
Bronchitis itself is not contagious, but the viruses that usually cause it are. Cleveland Clinic says viral bronchitis can spread for a few days up to about a week. Cover your cough, wash your hands often and stay home while you have a fever to protect others.
How long does bronchitis last?
The CDC says chest cold symptoms usually last less than 3 weeks. Most people feel better within several days, but the cough can linger for a few weeks after the infection is gone. A cough lasting more than 3 weeks should be checked by a clinician.
Do I need antibiotics for bronchitis?
Usually not. The CDC says antibiotics will not help a chest cold, because viruses cause most cases. Antibiotics are used when the cause is something like pneumonia or whooping cough. Your clinician will check for those and explain what will help you feel better.
What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?
Bronchitis is swelling of the airways and mainly causes a cough. Pneumonia is an infection inside the lungs and more often causes fever with chills, shortness of breath and chest pain when breathing. A lung exam, and sometimes a chest X-ray, tells them apart.
When should I see a doctor for a chest cold?
The CDC advises getting care for a fever above 104°F or lasting more than 5 days, coughing up bloody mucus, shortness of breath, symptoms lasting more than 3 weeks, or repeated bouts of bronchitis. Babies under 3 months with a fever of 100.4°F or higher need care right away.
Can urgent care treat bronchitis?
Yes. Our clinicians examine your lungs, run rapid flu or COVID-19 tests when useful, and can order a chest X-ray at our Cass Ave clinic in Westmont, IL. They recommend treatment for your symptoms, which may include prescription medicine when appropriate.
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