Bronchitis

Complications

Complications of bronchitis

Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. It occurs when the infection spreads further into the lungs, causing the tiny air sacs inside the lungs to fill up with fluid. About 1 in 20 cases of bronchitis lead to pneumonia.

People at an increased risk of developing pneumonia include:

elderly people
people who smoke
people with other health conditions, such as heart, liver or kidney disease
people with a weakened immune system

Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home. More severe cases may require admission to hospital.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 13 Feb 2018

Articles for bronchitis

Symptoms

The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a hacking cough, which may bring up clear, yellow-grey or greenish mucus (phlegm). Other symptoms are similar to those of the common cold or sinusitis

Causes

In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu. The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.

Complications

Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. It occurs when the infection spreads further into the lungs, causing the tiny air sacs inside the lungs to fill up with fluid.

Introduction

Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), causing them to become irritated and inflamed. Most cases of bronchitis develop when an infection irritates and inflames the bronchi, causing them to produce more mucus than usual.

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