Symptoms may include a deep cough that produces yellowish or greenish phlegm, pain behind the breastbone when you breathe deeply or cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath, fever, chills, headache, and sore muscles.

Your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms. You may have tests, such as a test of phlegm to look for bacteria, a chest x-ray, and blood tests.

Acute bronchitis often does not require medical treatment. Resting at home and drinking plenty of fluids to keep the mucus loose may be all you need to do to get better in a few days. If your symptoms are severe or you have other health problems (such as heart or lung disease or diabetes), you may need to take antibiotics.