Acute Bronchitis

Abstract

Acute bronchitis is a common respiratory tract infection usually caused by viruses and encountered often by family doctors. Diagnosis is usually made on clinical symptoms, as findings on physical examination are usually limited and investigations give non-specific results. Numerous studies have shown that antimicrobial agents are useless in acute bronchitis, and have a negligible effect on symptoms. The use of other medications such as & #946;2-agonists and cough suppressants has also been questioned and these medications are usually reserved for patients suffering from chronic lung conditions. Delayed prescription has been considered as a means of reducing antibiotic overprescribing in respiratory tract infections, however, the effect of such measures on antibiotic use and resolution of symptoms is questionable, as are studies on the patients’ satisfaction with delayed prescribing. Patients’ knowledge on respiratory tract infections and their treatment must also be considered, as it has been shown that family practitioners should be aware of the patients’ expectations when they attend with a respiratory tract infection.