Patient will present as → a 23-year-old-female with a one week history of cough productive of whitish sputum. This was preceded one week prior by an URI. She denies chills, night sweats, shortness of breath or wheeze. Temperature is 99.9°F (37.7°C).
Acute bronchitis is defined by a cough which persists for MORE THAN 5 DAYS
- Fever is unusual in acute bronchitis if your patient has a fever consider pneumonia
- (95%) of acute bronchitis is viral
- Bacterial causes of acute bronchitis include:
- M. Catarrhalis (the common bacterial cause of acute bronchitis)
- H. influenzae
- S. Pneumoniae
Chest X-Ray if diagnosis is uncertain or symptoms have persisted despite conservative treatment
Since most cases (95%) are viral symptomatic treatment is the cornerstone of management:
- Supportive measures include hydration, expectorants, analgesics, β2-agonists, and cough suppressants as needed (not recommended for children).
- For acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, in which bacterial causes are more likely, empiric first-line treatment is a second-generation cephalosporin; second-line treatment is a second-generation macrolide or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
- Antibiotics are indicated for the following: elderly patients, those with underlying cardiopulmonary diseases and a cough for more than 7 to 10 days, and any patient who is immunocompromised.
Question 1 |
A 63-year-old male, heavy smoker, presents to your office with a low-grade fever and sudden onset of dry cough for the past 6 days. You diagnose him with acute bronchitis. What is the most appropriate management at this time?
Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 875 mg two times per day for 10 days Hint: antibiotics which are usually not indicated in the treatment of acute bronchitis | |
Doxycycline 100 mg PO two times per day for 14 days Hint: antibiotics are usually not indicated in the treatment of acute bronchitis | |
Increased fluids and ibuprofen | |
Give the patient an albuterol inhaler Hint: Albuterol, is a beta-agonist used as a bronchodilator (usually in asthma); here, it should be used only if there is evidence of bronchoconstriction. |
Question 1 Explanation:
Acute bronchitis is defined by a cough which persists for more than five days. The most common cause of acute bronchitis is a viral infection (90% of cases). Therefore, supportive therapy such as increased fluids (cough results in increased fluid loss) and ibuprofen (antipyretic) is the most appropriate approach.
Question 2 |
You advise your patient from question one to take antipyretic drugs and get some rest. He returns to your office 5 days later feeling worse and now has a fever with a cough productive of purulent sputum. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
Treat with a macrolide antibiotic | |
Administer penicillin intramuscularly Hint: Penicillin would not be an appropriate treatment for acute bacterial bronchitis | |
Influenza titers Hint: Influenza titers are not necessary if you suspect a bacterial etiology. | |
Pulmonary function tests Hint: Pulmonary function tests in acute bronchitis are not necessary, except in very serious cases. |
Question 2 Explanation:
A purulent, productive cough may be bacterial in origin (although purulent sputum is not the definite sign of bacterial infection). Given the length of this patient's symptoms > 12 days and fever (fever is unusual in bronchitis) it would be reasonable to treat with antibiotics empirically. (beta-lactam, macrolide first line)
Question 3 |
What is the most common cause of acute bronchitis?
H. influenzae Hint: The same bugs that cause upper respiratory infections cause acute bacterial bronchitis: H. influenzae, M. Catarrhalis and S. Pneumonia | |
Viral infection | |
Fungal infection Hint: Fungi are usually not considered when acute bronchitis is the diagnosis, you may be more suspicious in a patient who is immunocompromised. | |
Allergic reaction Hint: Acute bronchitis is not an allergic reaction. |
Question 3 Explanation:
95% of all acute bronchitis cases are caused by viruses
Question 4 |
Which of the following can be considered an effective prophylaxis for acute bronchitis?
Oseltamivir 75 mg on day two of symptoms Hint: Although oseltamivir (Tamiflu) given within 2 days of symptom onset for Influenza A/B may decrease symptom duration it is not considered prophylaxis. | |
Influenza vaccine | |
Inhaled corticosteroids Hint: corticosteroids are never used as prophylaxis for an infection. | |
Nystatin Hint: this antifungal medication is never used in acute bronchitis. |
Question 4 Explanation:
The most common cause of acute bronchitis are viruses, influenza included.
There are 4 questions to complete.
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