Home care for bronchitis includes:

• Stop smoking.
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
• Avoid exposure to pollen.
• Avoid exposure to mold.
• Change air conditioning filters every month.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Take prescribed medications as directed:
• Don't skip doses of your medication. This makes them less effective.
• Be aware of the common side effects that may be caused by your medication.
• Acetaminophen for pain and fever
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain:
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, NeoProfen)
• Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Oruvail)
• Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve)

• Apply warm compresses:
• Apply to the chest to relieve muscle soreness and inflammation.
• Limit activity: avoid lifting with your arms.
• Take prescribed pain medications as directed.
• Acetaminophen for pain and fever
• Ibuprofen for pain and fever

Home treatment of a cough in someone with bronchitis includes:

• Avoid respiratory irritants, such as pollution, pollen, mold, dust and chemical fumes
• Change A/C and furnace filters regularly.
• Stop smoking
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke
• Drink warm liquids to relieve coughing spasms.
• Raise the head of your bed at night and sleep on your left side: this minimizes acid reflux.
• Use throat lozenges.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Cough medicines rarely reduce coughing.
• Cough medications that contain dextromethorphan may reduce a dry cough.
• Cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin) may make it easier to cough up phlegm.
• Guaifenesin is often combined with dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM).

• A cough can help clear infected mucus from the lungs. Suppressing the cough may reduce your ability to fight the infection.
• Cough medicine can cause drowsiness. Do not take cough medication if you plan to drive or operate machinery.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Do not take cough medication if you take sedatives or medication for depression.
• Talk to your doctor before you take cough medicine if you have asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart disease or high blood pressure.

Home treatment of a cough in a child with bronchitis includes:

• Avoid respiratory irritants, such as pollution, pollen, mold, dust and chemical fumes
• Change A/C and furnace filters regularly.
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
• Drink warm liquids to relieve coughing spasms.
• Use throat lozenges, but do not use them in children under 5 years of age.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Cough medicines rarely reduce coughing.
• Cough medications that contain dextromethorphan may reduce a dry cough.
• Cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin) may make it easier to cough up phlegm.
• Guaifenesin is often combined with dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM).

• Contact your doctor before using cough medicine in a child less than 6 years old.
• A cough can help clear infected mucus from the lungs. Suppressing the cough may reduce the child's ability to fight the infection.
• Cough medicine can cause drowsiness.
• Talk to the doctor before you give cough medicine to a child who has asthma, lung disease, heart disease or kidney disease.

Medications commonly used to control pain and fever in adults with bronchitis include:

• Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Ketoprofen

• Acetaminophen decreases fever and pain, but does not help inflammation.
• Adult dosing is 2 regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours or 2 extra-strength (500 mg) every 6 hours.
• Maximum dose is 4,000 mg per day.
• Avoid this drug if you have alcoholism, liver disease or an allergy to the drug. See the package instructions.
• Common brand names include Tylenol, Panadol, and many others.

• Aspirin decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is two regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours with food.
• There are numerous products that contain aspirin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ibuprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours.
• Do not exceed 1,200 mg per day without a doctor's recommendation.
• Brand names include Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Naproxen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200 or 220 mg twice a day with food.
• Do not exceed 500 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Aleve.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ketoprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 12.5 mg every 4-6 hours with food.
• Do not exceed 75 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Orudis KT.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Avoid using alcohol when taking any of these medications.
• Do not mix prescription and non-prescription NSAIDS unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• NSAIDS can interact with other blood thinners, such as Coumadin, and cause bleeding complications.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you have a history of:
• Allergy to aspirin
• Asthma
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Stomach ulcers
• Esophageal ulcers
• Bleeding problems
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease

Common medications used at home for fever in children with bronchitis include:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

• Acetaminophen decreases fever and pain, but does not help inflammation.
• Dosing is 10-15 mg per kilogram (5-7 mg per pound) of body weight every 4-6 hours, up to the adult dose.
• Do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
• Acetaminophen products come in various strengths. Always follow the package instructions.
• Avoid this drug in children with liver disease or an allergy to acetaminophen.
• Common acetaminophen products include Tylenol, Panadol and many others.

• Ibuprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Dosing for children over 6 months of age is 7-10 mg per kilogram (4-5 mg per pound) of body weight every 6 hours, up to the adult dose.
• Do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
• Always follow the package instructions.
• Avoid this drug in children with liver, kidney, stomach or bleeding problems.
• Brand names include Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.

• Naproxen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Dosing for 13 and older is 200 mg twice a day with food.
• Do not exceed 500 mg per day.
• Always follow the package instructions.
• Avoid this drug in children with liver, kidney, stomach or bleeding problems.
• The brand name for naproxen is Aleve.

Home care for a sore throat in an adult with bronchitis includes:

• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid citrus juice.
• Avoid hot and spicy foods.
• Stop smoking
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Numb the throat pain with throat spray or lozenges.
• Perform warm salt water gargles several times a day. Mix 1/2 teaspoon (92.5 ml) salt per cup (240 cc) of water.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain or fever
• Acetaminophen for pain or fever

• Avoid citrus juice.
• Avoid hot and spicy foods.
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Numb the throat pain with throat spray or lozenges.
• Perform warm salt water gargles several times a day. Mix 1/2 teaspoon (92.5 ml) salt per cup (240 cc) of water.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain or fever
• Acetaminophen for pain or fever

Home care for vomiting in someone with bronchitis:

• Drink clear liquids only, such as water, sports drinks, fruit juice and dilute tea. Sports drinks are best. The absence of food allows the intestines to rest.
• Drink small quantities of fluids frequently. In general, two tablespoons of fluid every 5 minutes is an effective strategy.
• Avoid milk and dairy products for 3 days.
• Avoid liquids that irritate the stomach, such as citrus juice, alcohol and coffee.
• If nausea or vomiting continues despite the above, consider one of the nonprescription medicines listed below.
• Once vomiting and nausea resolves, start bland foods first. If you tolerate bland food, then you can resume a normal diet.

• Meclizine (Bonine)
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

Home treatment of vomiting in children with bronchitis includes hydration and dietary therapy. Those who are able to drink liquids can restore lost water and salt with oral rehydration therapy (ORT).

ORT fluids used in infants include:

• Infalyte
• Lytren
• Naturalyte
• Pedialyte
• Rehydralyte

• Sports drinks (Gatorade)
• Broth
• Dilute fruit juices
• Flat soda
• Weak tea with sugar

• If the infant tolerates breast milk, continue breast-feeding in small amounts very frequently.
• Provide additional ORT fluids to supplement breast milk.
• Feed very small amounts every 30-60 minutes, or try giving small amounts more frequently, such as:
• Children up to 5 kg (11 lb): give 5 ml (1 teaspoon) every 5 minutes
• Children 5-10 kg (11-22 lb): give 10 ml (2 teaspoons) every 5 minutes
• Watch for dehydration: dry mouth, decreased urination, dark yellow urine and lack of tears.

• If the infant tolerates formula, continue to provide small amounts very frequently.
• Provide additional ORT fluids to supplement formula.
• Try giving small amounts more frequently, such as:
• Children up to 5 kg (11 lb): give 5 ml (1 teaspoon) every 5 minutes
• Children 5-10 kg (11-22 lb): give 10 ml (2 teaspoons) every 5 minutes
• Watch for dehydration: dry mouth, decreased urination, dark yellow urine and lack of tears.

• Provide as much ORT fluids as your child desires.
• If vomiting occurs, provide small amounts of ORT fluids more frequently:
• Children 10-20 kg (22-44 lb): 15 ml (1 tablespoon) every 5 minutes
• Children 20-40 kg (44-88 lb): 22 ml (1 and 1/2 tablespoons) every 5 minutes
• Children 40 kg (88 lb) and over: 30 ml (2 tablespoons) every 5 minutes
• Watch for dehydration: dry mouth, decreased urination, dark yellow urine and lack of tears.

• Crackers
• Oatmeal
• Jell-O
• Soft foods
• Yogurt

• Concentrated fruit juices
• Junk foods
• Milk products
• Recently introduced foods
• Spicy foods

Notify your doctor if you have bronchitis and any of the following:

• Confusion
• Coughing blood
• Cyanosis
• Repeated vomiting
• Fever over 102 degrees F (38.8 C)
• Worsening chest pain
• Worsening cough
• Worsening difficulty breathing
• Worsening weakness
• Worsening wheezing
• Cough that lasts more than 3 weeks

Home care for mild wheezing in someone with bronchitis includes:

• Avoid exposure to smoke.
• Avoid cough medicine.
• Avoid sedative medications.
• Avoid substances that trigger wheezing.
• Drink plenty of liquids to remain hydrated.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Follow asthma home care instructions.
• Learn to use prescribed inhalers correctly.
• Use short-acting inhalers every 20 minutes, or as directed by your doctor.
• Long-acting medications must be used regularly.
• Learn to use a peak flow meter.
• Know the peak flow danger zones.
• Develop a strategy for using your inhaler based on your PEFR reading
• Stay calm during a wheezing attack.

• Green Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is 80-100% of personal best represents good control
• Yellow Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is 50-80% of personal best represents a moderate attack
• Red Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is less than 50% of personal best represents a severe attack and may identify the need for treatment in an emergency department.

Last Updated: Dec 13, 2010 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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