Outlook

Nearly all cases of acute bronchitis clear up completely over time.

• In the case of bronchitis caused by exposure to respiratory irritants, all the patient may need to do is keep away from the cause of irritation.

• Smoking cessation is recommended to prevent development of chronic bronchitis or other chronic lung disease such as emphysema. Chronic bronchitis, as its name suggests, can cause symptoms for prolonged periods and lead to other debilitating lung conditions.