Bronchitis: Symptoms and Treatments

12. Preventive measures

Here are some things you can do to reduce the risk of getting bronchitis:

• Stop smoking.
• Avoid irritants like air pollution, fumes, or secondhand smoke.
• Get a flu shot.
• Get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster as recommended.
• Get a pneumonia vaccine when appropriate.
• Wash your hands to reduce the risk of getting a viral infection.
• Wear a surgical mask. If you have chronic bronchitis, consider wearing a surgical mask when exposed to irritants or when you are going to be in a crowd, like when traveling.

The takeaway

Both acute and chronic bronchitis are common. Acute bronchitis typically resolves on its own, but chronic bronchitis can last years. Bronchitis can have complications, including pneumonia, which can be quite severe. If you have bronchitis, it is vital to recognize symptoms of complications early. See a doctor if you are experiencing increasing shortness of breath, a high fever, or if your cough does not go away after two or three weeks.