What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis caused by a viral (virus) infection?

From the Guidelines

Viral bronchitis is a self-limited respiratory disorder that typically presents with a persistent cough, fatigue, mild fever, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath, and its treatment is primarily supportive, including rest, increased fluid intake, and over-the-counter pain relievers. The cough often lasts 2-3 weeks, even after other symptoms resolve, and you may also experience wheezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, headaches, and body aches 1. Treatment options include over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for fever and discomfort, and cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan for nighttime cough relief 1. A humidifier can help ease breathing, and warm saltwater gargles may soothe throat irritation. Some key points to consider when treating viral bronchitis include:

• Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, and routine antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis is not recommended, regardless of the duration of cough 1
• The evaluation of adults with an acute cough illness or a presumptive diagnosis of uncomplicated acute bronchitis should focus on clinically ruling out serious illness, particularly pneumonia 1
• Most cases of viral bronchitis resolve within 1-2 weeks, but you should seek medical attention if you experience high fever (above 100.4°F), difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or if symptoms persist beyond three weeks 1
• Viral bronchitis occurs when viruses infect the bronchial tubes, causing inflammation and increased mucus production, which triggers the characteristic cough as your body attempts to clear the airways 1.

From the Research

Viral Bronchitis Symptoms

• The most common symptom of viral bronchitis is cough, which typically lasts about three weeks 2.
• Viruses are responsible for more than 90 percent of acute bronchitis infections 2.
• The presence or absence of colored sputum does not reliably differentiate between bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections 2.
• Other symptoms of bronchitis may include:
  • Colored sputum (e.g., green) 2
  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Chest discomfort
• It's worth noting that chronic cough (cough lasting longer than eight weeks) can be caused by many etiologies, including upper airway cough syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease/laryngopharyngeal reflux disease, asthma, and nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis 3.
• In children, cough is considered chronic if present for more than four weeks, and is most commonly caused by asthma, protracted bacterial bronchitis, and upper airway cough syndrome 3.

Treatment and Management

• Antibiotics are generally not indicated for bronchitis, and should be used only if pertussis is suspected to reduce transmission or if the patient is at increased risk of developing pneumonia (e.g., patients 65 years or older) 2.
• The typical therapies for managing acute bronchitis symptoms have been shown to be ineffective, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends against using cough and cold preparations in children younger than six years 2.
• The supplement pelargonium may help reduce symptom severity in adults 2.
• Amitriptyline has been shown to be effective in treating chronic cough resulting from postviral vagal neuropathy, with a majority of patients achieving a complete response on the initial dose of 10 mg 4.