Acute cough and bronchitis

Important: Notes

Bronchitis causes a cough, breathlessness, wheeze, and general malaise.

Crackles on auscultation shold clear with coughing - persisting crackles are suggestive of pneumonia. The cough can persist for up to 4 weeks. Viral infections are the cause of >90% of episodes. As the majority of cases are viral infections, routine sputum sampling is not recommended.

Antibiotics are not indicated if the patient has no risk factors for complications. 

Higher risk of complications includes people with pre-existing comorbidity and young children born prematurely.

If it is felt safe not to prescribe antibiotics immediately, consider a delayed antibiotic prescription to be used if a significant worsening of symptoms occurs.

If antimicrobials are required, treat as mild CAP.