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Bronchitis


Call your doctor if:

  • You are coughing up blood.
  • You have a high fever or shaking chills.
  • You have a low-grade fever for three or more days.
  • You have thick, greenish mucus, especially if it has a bad smell.
  • You feel short of breath or have chest pain.
  • You have an underlying chronic illness, like heart or lung disease.
  • You have a cough most days of the month or you have a frequently recurring cough.

References:


Murray JF, Nadel JA. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2000; 1215-1216.

Macfarlane J, Holmes W, Gard P, Thornhill D, Macfarlane R, Hubbard R. Providing patient information reduces antibiotic use in acute bronchitis. Evidence-based Healthcare. 2002; 6(3): 130.

Radon K. Passive smoke exposure: a risk factor for chronic bronchitis and asthma in adults? Chest. 2002; 122(3): 1086-1090.




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