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  • Title: [Acute bronchitis: when are antibiotics, and when is symptomatic treatment indicated?].
    Author: Gillissen A, Gessner C, Hammerschmidt S, Hoheisel G, Wirtz H.
    Journal: MMW Fortschr Med; 2006 Jan 12; 148(1-2):26-8. PubMed ID: 16610409.
    Abstract:
    Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, while the chronic form is due to inhalative noxae (in most cases decades of cigarette smoking). Both varieties are diagnosed on a clinical basis. Treatment of acute bronchitis is symptomatic. A sore throat is treated locally, and a troublesome, in particular nocturnal, cough with antitussive agents applied for a limited period (14 days). If bronchial mucus is viscous and difficult to clear, short-term treatment with a secretolytic or mucolytic substance is justified. Management of chronic bronchitis consists primarily in the elimination of the noxae. Treatment with antibiotics (usually oral) makes good sense only when there is a bacteriological infection of the upper or lower airways in an acute stage, such as infection-driven exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis (COPD).
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