How long you’ll need to recover from bronchitis will usually depend on the type of the inflammation you have. As you may know, bronchitis can be either acute or chronic. With acute bronchitis, the recovery time is relatively short. But the symptoms of chronic bronchitis may take a few months or longer to clear up.
Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is the more prevalent form of the inflammation. It can affect people all ages, but it’s particularly common among children. As a rule, it may take you between 10 days and two weeks to recover from bronchitis. Some symptoms may persist for a few more weeks, including a cough and rapid breathing.
It is important to note that acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses and bacteria. As such, it can also be contagious. With viral bronchitis, you’ll remain contagious until you recover from bronchitis. But if you have bacterial bronchitis, you’ll stop being contagious a few days after you start taking antibiotics.
Chronic Bronchitis
Unlike acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis can last for several months or longer. It’s not as common in children as it is in adults. This type of the inflammation is usually the result of the irritation of the bronchial tube following a bout of acute bronchitis. As such, you’ll likely experience a persistent cough accompanied by phlegm.
It is not uncommon for people with chronic bronchitis to experience recurring acute episodes. This may go on for several years after your initial bout of acute bronchitis. But as long as you’re not in this acute phase, you won’t be contagious.
Final Word
If you don’t recover from bronchitis within two weeks, you should go to your doctor. They’ll determine the cause of the inflammation and prescribe proper treatment. This will help prevent serious complications that could otherwise occur.
