When your chest feels tight and your cough won’t quit, it’s often viral bronchitis, a short-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes caused by a virus, usually following a cold or flu. Also known as acute bronchitis, it’s not pneumonia, not asthma, and not something you need antibiotics for—yet most people treat it like it is. About 9 out of 10 cases are viral, meaning your body fights it off on its own in a few weeks. The problem? It feels awful. You cough all day, you wake up at night, and your throat burns. Doctors know it’s usually harmless, but that doesn’t make the cough any less annoying.
What causes it? Mostly the same viruses that give you a runny nose—rhinovirus, influenza, RSV. You catch it the same way you catch a cold: through coughs, sneezes, or touching a doorknob someone just used. It’s not contagious in the way flu is, but you can still spread the virus that started it. The cough lingers because your airways stay irritated even after the virus is gone. That’s why some people think they need more medicine—they’re still coughing at day 10. But here’s the truth: antibiotics won’t touch a virus. They just add side effects like stomach upset or yeast infections. What helps? Rest, hydration, and simple cough soothers like honey or humidifiers. If you’re wheezing or short of breath, that’s a different story—but that’s not typical viral bronchitis.
Many people confuse viral bronchitis with bacterial infections, allergies, or even early asthma. If your mucus turns green, that doesn’t mean you need antibiotics—it’s just your immune system doing its job. If you’re over 65, smoke, or have COPD, you’re at higher risk for complications. That’s when you see a doctor. For everyone else? It’s a waiting game. The posts below cover what works and what doesn’t. You’ll find real advice on managing coughs without drugs, how to tell when it’s something worse, and why some OTC meds do more harm than good. No fluff. Just what you need to get through it without wasting money or risking your health.
Acute bronchitis is usually viral and doesn't need antibiotics. Learn how to manage the cough safely with rest, fluids, honey, and proven remedies-without unnecessary drugs.
