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Acute Bronchitis Treatment in Orange County, CA

Bronchitis Treatment at Our Walk-In Clinics in Irvine, Fountain Valley, and Costa Mesa

Acute bronchitis is a viral or bacterial infection that causes the lungs' airways (bronchial tubes) to swell and produce excessive mucus. When you have this condition, you may cough and experience trouble sleeping for several days. If you’re dealing with acute bronchitis, our experienced providers at Family Care Centers are ready and well-equipped to treat you and your loved ones at any of our walk-in clinics in Irvine, Fountain Valley, or Costa Mesa, CA.

Highlights of Our Bronchitis Treatment

Open 7 days (Costa Mesa location open 7 days beginning January 17th!)
On-site lab and X-ray facilities for immediate diagnosis
Certified, well-trained, and experienced providers
Friendly and compassionate staff
Online check-in to get seen quickly
Free parking

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What are the Symptoms of Bronchitis?

Often called a chest cold, acute bronchitis triggers mild symptoms that can last for up to 2 weeks. Your cough may include phlegm that can be clear, yellow, or green. You may also experience soreness around your chest, often accompanied by body aches.

Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, bronchitis can also cause:

Chest tightness
Fever
Sore throat

Potential Causes of Bronchitis

Bronchitis has multiple triggers and microbial causes. It is most often caused by respiratory viruses, (including COVID). Bacteria can also cause bronchitis, but this is actually uncommon.

Risk factors for developing a chest cold include:

Smoking cigarettes (smokers are also at higher risk of chronic bronchitis)
Compromised immunity after developing an acute or chronic illness
Lung allergies to airborne debris like chemical fumes, grains, or pollen

Do I need to go to a doctor to seek treatment for bronchitis?

While bronchitis symptoms usually ease after several days without the use of medication, this isn't always the case. You should seek treatment if you experience severe symptoms, including the following:

High fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher)
Coughing up blood-stained mucus
Difficulty breathing
If you don’t get better in 3 weeks
If your symptoms are recurring

Visit your doctor as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for your infection. Remember that pneumonia and chest colds have similar symptoms, so your medical provider needs to run certain tests before prescribing any medication.

What to Expect When You Visit Our Clinic for Bronchitis Treatment

During your visit, whether by telehealth or in person, we will take a careful history and discuss examination and evaluation options to determine the cause of your symptoms. Most cases of bronchitis are mild to medium in severity and can be treated with a minimal workup, but we will discuss x-rays and other tests if needed to rule-out more serious infections.

Based on your diagnosis, we will recommend the appropriate prescription and non-prescriptions treatments, as well as follow-up options.

Are Antibiotics Prescribed for Bronchitis?

You may receive antibiotics as part of your bronchitis treatment if the provider diagnoses a bacterial cause. If your bronchitis is caused by a viral infection, antibiotics won't help you recover. Depending on your specific diagnosis and symptoms, your treatment may include

Anti-inflammatory drugs for the swollen airways
Tylenol or ibuprofen/naproxen for body aches and fever
Cough syrup
Nasal spray
Antibiotics for bacterial infections

Can I Go to Work with Bronchitis?

We advise staying at home when you have bronchitis because rest will help you recover, and you could infect others at work. Viruses in tiny droplets can be released and transmitted to other people in your office when you cough, sneeze, or even talk. So, by resting at home until you recover, you minimize spreading potential airborne infections and help keep other people healthy.

If you think you or a family member has bronchitis, contact one of our urgent care clinics: Irvine Woodbridge Walk-In Urgent Care, Fountain Valley Urgent Care, or Costa Mesa Urgent Care in CA, for proper diagnosis and treatment. Our medical providers are committed to providing the best care to help speed your recovery.