Common symptoms
What people often notice. Only a provider can tell you what’s causing yours.
- Cough that may bring up clear, white, yellow, or green mucus
- Chest soreness or tightness
- Mild wheezing
- Tiredness
- Low fever or chills
Cold, flu & breathing
Bronchitis: virtual care options
Acute bronchitis, often called a chest cold, is swelling of the airways that carry air to the lungs. It usually follows a cold or the flu, is most often caused by a virus, and leads to a cough that can last a few weeks.
You’ll leave ER.com for the provider’s website to check availability, eligibility, pricing, coverage, and care details. ER.com may earn a commission through affiliate links, at no added cost to you.
What a virtual visit may involve
Care is decided by the provider, based on your situation.
- A video or online visit where a licensed provider asks about your cough, breathing, and recent illness
- A provider checks for signs that could point to pneumonia or an asthma flare
- Prescriptions, if appropriate, can be sent to a pharmacy near you
- Advice on easing the cough and what to expect as you recover
When in-person care may be better
Urgent care, your doctor, or a clinic can examine and test you.
- A provider wants to listen to your lungs or order a chest X-ray
- You have asthma, COPD, or heart disease
- You have a fever over a few days or the cough lasts more than three weeks
- You keep getting bronchitis
When to go to the ER
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath at rest
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Bluish lips or face
- Confusion or extreme drowsiness
Ready to explore a virtual visit for Bronchitis?
Check availability, pricing, and care details directly with the provider. You’ll leave ER.com when you continue.
ER.com may earn a commission through affiliate links, at no added cost to you.
Common questions
Bronchitis, answered.
General information, not medical advice. A provider can answer questions about your situation.
Do you need antibiotics for bronchitis?
Most bronchitis is caused by viruses, so antibiotics usually do not help. A provider can review your symptoms and decide whether any treatment is appropriate.
How long does bronchitis last?
Most symptoms improve in about a week to ten days, but the cough can last three weeks or more. A cough that keeps going past that is worth checking.
What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?
Bronchitis affects the airways, while pneumonia is an infection in the lungs themselves. Pneumonia is more likely to cause high fever, fast breathing, and shortness of breath, and it often needs an exam or X-ray.
This is not for emergencies.
For life-threatening symptoms, severe chest pain, trouble breathing, or immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.