Is Bronchitis Contagious? Causes, Transmission, Symptoms & Treatment 

Introduction

Bronchitis is a condition where the large airways in your lungs get inflamed (swollen), and they produce more mucus, which makes you cough. It can be short-term, lasting a few days or weeks, called acute bronchitis, which is mostly caused by viruses and rarely by bacteria (occurring as secondary infections)¹. Around 50 to 60 per 1,000 people get affected every year². 

Sometimes, bronchitis becomes a long-term issue that may continue for months or even years, known as chronic bronchitis. This may occur due to smoking, air pollution, or in people who already have lung problems. Chronic bronchitis is more often seen in people over the age of 40 and tends to affect women more than men, even at times causing more severe symptoms in them^1,2. 

In this blog we’ll discuss in detail about bronchitis, its causes, how it spreads, is bronchitis contagious, its symptoms, and treatment. 

What Is Bronchitis?

Our respiratory system that includes the nose, pharynx (throat), trachea (windpipe), bronchi and lungs, work together to help us breathe in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. When the two main tubes which connect the windpipe to lungs, called bronchi, become inflamed, it can cause bronchitis³. 

There are 2 types of bronchitis: 

• Acute bronchitis is a short-term infection that affects the bronchi. It is mostly caused by viral infection and lasts for about 1 to 3 weeks. The main symptom is cough with mucus. Other signs like feeling tired, having body aches, or a slight fever may also be seen. Based on these symptoms usually the doctor diagnoses acute bronchitis and performs other checks if needed to rule out conditions like pneumonia. 
• Chronic bronchitis is a long-term lung condition, usually a component of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (conditions causing airway obstruction). This condition causes cough with mucus that lasts more than 3 months for at least 2 years in a row. In this case, the airways become narrow or blocked, making it hard to breathe. This happens when irritants like cigarette smoke, polluted air, or repeated lung infections keep affecting the airways. The lining inside the bronchi produces too much mucus to protect themselves, but the mucus becomes thick and hard to clear. Over time, this can make it harder to breathe and may cause damage to the lung tissues, especially if associated with emphysema (a condition where the tiny air sacs in the lungs get damaged, making it harder to take in oxygen)^1,2. 

So, bronchitis can be short-term or long-term, but both affect your breathing and often cause excessive mucus. Let’s now look at what causes bronchitis in the first place. 

What Causes Bronchitis?

The causes of acute and chronic bronchitis vary, as acute is mostly due to infection with viruses, but chronic may be due to other factors like irritants or underlying lung problems. 

The causes of acute bronchitis include: 

• Viruses are the most common cause. These include influenza, RSV, rhinovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), adenovirus, measles, and enteroviruses. 
• Atypical bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis cause around 10% of cases and are often linked with prolonged cough and bronchitis-like illness in young adults. 
• Co-infections with more than one virus can occur, and newer viruses like bocavirus and parainfluenza type 4 have also been linked to acute bronchitis. 
• Rare causes in those with weak immunity may include herpes simplex virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica (a canine germ), though these are not typical causes⁴. 

Chronic bronchitis may be caused by: 

• Cigarette Smoke (main cause), active or passive exposure 
• Environmental exposure to air pollution, gas, dust, fumes, cooking fire, or dung for a long time 

Asthma, allergies and frequent respiratory infections can increase the risk of chronic bronchitis⁵. 

Now, coming to the question is: Is bronchitis contagious? Let’s find out in the next section. 

Is Bronchitis Contagious?

While bronchitis itself doesn’t spread directly, acute bronchitis is contagious, especially because it is mostly caused by viruses like influenza, rhinovirus, coronavirus, RSV, and others. These viruses usually spread from one person to another during winter and early spring, when outbreaks are common². 

Even bacterial infections like Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis seen in acute bronchitis can be contagious through close contact^1,4. 

Chronic bronchitis, however, is usually not contagious because it mainly develops when exposed to smoke, air pollution, dust, or chemical fumes for a long time. Even passive smoking can increase risk. 

While chronic bronchitis can worsen when infected with influenza or rhinovirus, the chronic condition doesn’t usually spread from person to person^1,5. 

So, whether bronchitis is contagious or not depends upon its type or more importantly the cause. 

How Is Bronchitis Spread?

Acute bronchitis caused by viruses or bacteria can be spread in various ways^6,7: 

• When droplets are breathed in during coughing, sneezing, talking, or even breathing out 
• When you touch your nose, eyes, or mouth after touching contaminated surfaces 
• If you stay in poorly ventilated, crowded indoor spaces (poor airflow allows virus particles to stay in the air longer and spread more easily) or in close contact with someone who’s sick. 

Chronic bronchitis may not spread, but it’s important to be careful to avoid getting an infection with a virus or bacteria, as it can worsen the condition. 

How Long Is Bronchitis Contagious?

How long is bronchitis contagious depends on the type of infection. 

• Some infections like the flu spread quickly, with symptoms starting in 2 to 4 days. 
• Others, like Mycoplasma pneumoniae, take longer (7 to 21 days) to show symptoms and spread slowly from person to person. 

Acute bronchitis caused by virus can spread to other people in the first few days when you have symptoms like cough and fever.  

When you are recovering from acute bronchitis symptoms and have 1 day without fever, without using any fever medicine, and symptoms are reducing, then you are likely less contagious. But as the body may take some time to clear the virus, you may still spread it to others, especially in the first week. Also, cough alone can still spread germs, even after the fever is gone. Moreover, some viruses like respiratory syncytial virus or adenovirus can continue to spread for an even longer time, especially in those with weak immune system^4,8. So, even until a week after your symptoms subside, it’s best to take precautions like covering your mouth and avoiding close contact to reduce the risk.   

When Will I Know I Have It?

You will know you have bronchitis by observing the symptoms, which differ slightly between acute and chronic types. 

In acute bronchitis, you may notice^2,9 

• Runny nose, sore throat, and mild fever commonly in the first 1 to 5 days. 
• Cough with sputum, usually clear or yellowish, lasting 10–20 days but sometimes continues for 4 weeks or more 
• Tiredness 
• Mild breathing difficulty or wheezing (severe breathing difficulty commonly seen in asthma or pneumonia)  

In chronic bronchitis, symptoms are similar but last longer⁵: 

• Cough with or without sputum and wheezing that lasts for at least 3 months in a year, for 2 consecutive years. 
• Breathing difficulty on exertion, chest tightness, and wheezing are common. 
• Weight gain can happen due to reduced activity in early stages. 
• In advanced stages, weight loss or muscle wasting may occur due to reduced activity. 

When you notice these symptoms, addressing them early is important to help manage the condition better. 

How Long Does Bronchitis Last?

The duration of bronchitis depends on whether you have the short-term acute type or the long-term chronic type.  

Usually, acute bronchitis starts suddenly and may last for 7 to 10 days in healthy young adults. In some cases, the cough can stay for up to 3 weeks. 

• Influenza virus: Most symptoms clear up in 5 to 7 days, but cough and tiredness may last longer^4,10. 
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae: Incubation period is 10–21 days; cough may persist with minimal sputum, but chest discomfort can be significant. 
• In elderly or those with heart/lung disease: If infected with RSV or HMPV, it may last for 16 to 27 days⁴. 

In chronic bronchitis, a cough for 3 months continuously for 2 consecutive years is seen. Symptoms may come and go, but often last for months to years, especially if the cause like smoking, is not removed¹¹. 

Can Bronchitis Go Away on Its Own?

Yes, acute bronchitis often goes away on its own, especially if it is caused by a virus. You can try to follow these tips for relief from symptoms and faster recovery¹²: 

• Get good rest 
• Consume lots of water and fluids 
• If you have a stuffy nose, you can use a clean humidifier or vaporiser or saline spray 
• For babies, you may use a rubber suction bulb to remove mucus 
• Inhaling steam from hot water or during a shower 
• Cough drops or throat lozenges help, but not for children below 4 years 
• Honey (only for children 1 year or older) may relieve cough 

The tips can also help relieve symptoms of chronic bronchitis sometimes, but other medicines may be needed to manage symptoms in serious cases. 

Treatment of Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis usually goes away on its own, but certain medicines may help relieve symptoms: 

• Cough medicines like dextromethorphan or expectorants like guaifenesin may be useful to reduce cough or loosen mucus. 
• Bronchodilators like salbutamol inhaler may be advised by a doctor to open the airways if breathing difficulty is present. 
• Antibiotics are generally not needed unless the doctor suspects a bacterial infection, which is more common in children¹. 

Chronic bronchitis often needs long-term care to manage symptoms and improve breathing: 

• First step is to stop smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. 
• Medicines like bronchodilators help relax airway muscles to make breathing easier (can be inhaled). 
• Sometimes given in combination with steroids to reduce inflammation. 
• Antibiotics may be given when the symptoms, such as more mucus production, change in colour of mucus or breathing difficulty worsen, and if a bacterial infection is present. 
• Oxygen therapy may be needed when oxygen levels go low in severe cases (based on tests which show blood oxygen level less than 55-60 mmHg). 
• Pulmonary rehab with exercises may help in long-term breathing issues. 
• In rare cases, if symptoms don’t improve with medicines, lung transplant may be the last option^5,13. 

You should always inform your doctor about any medicine you are taking or any other health condition and avoid trying to take antibiotics or any other medicine by yourself. Always consult a doctor if anyone is showing symptoms of bronchitis and know how to prevent bronchitis which we will be discussing in the next section. 

How Can You Prevent Spreading Bronchitis?

By following a few simple hygiene steps, you can prevent spreading infectious bronchitis to others. 

• Washing your hands regularly 
• Don’t touch your face with your fingers 
• When you cough or sneeze, do it on your elbow, not on your hand as elbow sneezing/ coughing helps reduce droplet spread 
• Tissues used must be discarded immediately 
• Social distancing can help 
• When having cold, don’t hug or shake hands with kids or those with weak immunity, especially if you’re showing symptoms.  
• Cover your nose and mouth with a mask 
• For those at risk of chronic bronchitis, getting flu or pneumococcal vaccine may be helpful in reducing the occurrence of respiratory infections that trigger bronchitis. 

Even if your symptoms are mild, by taking these steps, you can protect your family from getting sick from bronchitis^13,14. 

When Should I See a Doctor?

You should see a doctor if you experience any of these bronchitis symptoms^11,15: 

• Fever above 100.4°F (degrees Fahrenheit) 
• Cough with blood in mucus 
• Breathing difficulty 
• Feeling very drowsy 
• Lips turning pale or blue 
• Hands or feet are cold and discoloured, but the body is warm 
• You get a rash that does not fade when you press your skin 

Conclusion

Bronchitis is a common condition. It can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute is often due to viruses and can spread. Chronic bronchitis is not contagious as it is caused by long-term exposure to smoke or pollutants. Most acute cases get better with good rest and proper care. Vaccines may help reduce risk of lung infections which can trigger bronchitis, especially those who are at high risk. By knowing what causes bronchitis, its symptoms, and how it spreads, you can treat it early and stop it from spreading.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. NHLBI. Bronchitis | NHLBI, NIH [Internet]. www.nhlbi.nih.gov. 2022. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/bronchitis 
2. Woodfork K. Bronchitis. Bronchitis. xPharm: The Comprehensive Pharmacology Reference. 2007;1–13. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7151913/  
3. Health Direct. Respiratory system [Internet]. Healthdirect.gov.au. Healthdirect Australia; 2019. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/respiratory-system  
4. Walsh EE. Acute Bronchitis. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 2015;806-809.e1. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7152497/  
5. Widysanto A, Goldin J, Mathew G. Chronic Bronchitis [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 24]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK482437/#article-18646.s4 
6. Leung NHL. Transmissibility and transmission of respiratory viruses. Nature Reviews Microbiology [Internet]. 2021 Mar 22;19(19):1–18. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-021-00535-6  
7. Preventing the spread of respiratory viruses [Internet]. Australian Centre for Disease Control. 2025. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov.au/topics/communicable-diseases/preventing-spread-respiratory-viruses 
8. Preventing the spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick [Internet]. Centre for Disease Control. Available from: Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC  
9. Acute Bronchitis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf [Internet]. Scribd. 2025. Available from: https://www.scribd.com/document/705223656/Acute-Bronchitis-StatPearls-NCBI-Bookshelf  
10. Marie-Hélène Blanchet Zumofen, Frimpter J, Hansen SA. Impact of Influenza and Influenza-Like Illness on Work Productivity Outcomes: a Systematic Literature Review. Pharmacoeconomics. 2022 Dec 14;41(3):253–73. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9748403/ 
11. American Lung Association. Chronic Bronchitis [Internet]. Lung.org. 2025. Available from: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/chronic-bronchitis 
12. Preventing and Treating Bronchitis [Internet]. Centre for Disease Control. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/acute-bronchitis/media/pdfs/Bronchitis-508.pdf 
13. Chronic Bronchitis [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. National Library of Medicine; 2024. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/chronicbronchitis.html 
14. Information NC for B, Pike USNL of M 8600 R, MD B, Usa 20894. Acute bronchitis: Overview [Internet]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2017. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK458291/  
15. Acute bronchitis: should I take antibiotics? [Internet]. Available from: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/Patient-Decision-Aid-Acute-bronchitis-Nov-2016.pdf  

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.