How long does a cough usually last?

Most coughs improve within a few weeks. If your cough lasts longer than three weeks, is worsening or is affecting your daily life, it is worth speaking to a healthcare professional.

Why won't my cough go away?

A cough can continue after an infection because the airways may remain irritated. Other causes of a persistent cough include asthma, allergies, acid reflux and some medications.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a cough?

There is no instant cure for most coughs, but staying hydrated, resting and managing symptoms can make you feel more comfortable while your body recovers.

Can antibiotics treat a cough?

Most coughs are caused by viruses, so antibiotics will not help. They are only used when a clinician believes a bacterial infection is present. In these scenarios a face to face consultation may be advised.

Why is my cough worse at night?

Coughs can feel worse at night because lying down can increase throat irritation or mucus drainage. Conditions such as acid reflux can also trigger coughing at night.

Bronchitis: How Long It Lasts & Effective Treatments

Different types of cough

The different types of cough are broadly categorised into productive (wet) coughs, non-productive (dry) coughs, croup, and paroxysmal coughs. They are identified by whether they bring up mucus, how they sound, and how long they last.

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is a short-term inflammation that typically follows a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu. It comes on quickly and usually resolves on its own within a few weeks without leaving lasting damage. As noted by the NHS, this is the most common type of bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term, ongoing inflammation of the airways. It is categorised as a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Unlike the acute version, chronic bronchitis is most often caused by prolonged exposure to airborne irritants, primarily cigarette smoke. This condition does not simply pass in a few weeks and requires ongoing medical management to help control symptoms and protect lung function.

Feature	Acute Bronchitis	Chronic Bronchitis
Onset	Sudden, usually after a cold or flu	Gradual, worsening over months or years
Typical Duration	3 to 4 weeks	At least 3 months a year for 2 consecutive years
Main Cause	Viral infections	Cigarette smoke or environmental irritants
Treatment Goal	Symptom relief while the virus clears naturally	Managing lung function and slowing progression

Main symptoms of bronchitis

The main symptom of bronchitis is a persistent, hacking cough that often brings up clear, yellow, or green mucus.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis

A bronchitis cough usually starts out dry and tickly before becoming productive, meaning you begin to cough up phlegm. Alongside the cough, you will likely experience:

Chest soreness or discomfort from coughing
General fatigue and low energy
A mild headache
Aches and pains in your body
A low-grade fever
Mild shortness of breath or occasional wheezing

Older man wearing a scarf taking medication with a glass of water at a table

Is it bronchitis, a cold, the flu, or pneumonia?

Because bronchitis often starts as a cold or flu, distinguishing between them can be difficult. The overlapping symptoms cause understandable confusion. The key difference lies in where the symptoms are focused and how long they last. A cold stays mainly in your head and nose, while bronchitis sits squarely in your chest. Pneumonia is a deeper, more serious infection of the lung tissue itself, usually causing a much higher fever and more severe breathlessness.

Condition	Cough Type	Fever Level	Onset Speed	Body Aches	Main Location of Symptoms
Common Cold	Mild, often dry	None or very mild	Gradual	Mild	Head, nose, throat
Flu (Influenza)	Dry	High (above 38C)	Very sudden	Severe	Whole body
Bronchitis	Persistent, often producing mucus	Low-grade	Follows a cold	Mild	Chest, major airways
Pneumonia	Severe, worsening, often producing yellow, green, brown or bloodstained phlegm	High, often with shivering chills	Can be sudden or gradual	Moderate	Deep lungs

How long does bronchitis last?

Acute bronchitis typically lasts for three to four weeks, with most initial symptoms clearing in the first week but the cough lingering much longer.

Days 1 to 4: acute phase

During the first few days, your symptoms will closely mimic a standard upper respiratory tract infection. You might have a sore throat, fatigue, a runny nose, and a mild fever. This is when the viral infection is most active. Your airways are becoming inflamed, and the characteristic chesty cough begins to take hold.

Weeks 1 to 2: symptom improvement

As you move into the second week, the general feelings of illness should start to fade. Your fever will typically have settled, , and body aches will subside. However, this is often when the cough becomes most prominent. Your cough will likely become productive, bringing up phlegm. This is normal. It is your body's natural mechanism for clearing the mucus and debris from yourairways.

Week 3 and beyond: lingering cough

Many patients ask our online GPs about a cough that simply will not stop. Once the virus is entirely gone, your airways can remain highly sensitive and slightly swollen. This is known as bronchial hyperreactivity. Even breathing in cold air can trigger a coughing fit. The NICE guidance on acute cough explains that an acute cough usually lasts around three to four weeks.. It is usually just the tail end of the healing process, not a sign of a hidden or worsening infection, as long are you are otherwise feeling better. If your cough lasts longer than this or is getting worse, speak to a doctor.

How to treat bronchitis at home

You can treat bronchitis at home by getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and using over-the-counter medicines to relieve symptoms while the virus clears naturally.

Rest, fluids, and air quality

Rest is not just about comfort, it is a physical requirement. Fighting off a virus requires a significant amount of energy, and resting allows your immune system to work efficiently. Drinking plenty of fluids is equally important. Water, clear broths, and herbal tea with honey help to thin out the mucus in your chest, making it much easier to cough up. Try to avoid highly caffeinated drinks or alcohol, as these can dehydrate you. Adding moisture to the air by using a room humidifier,can also soothe irritated airways.

Close-up of a hand holding a brown medicine bottle

Managing a difficult cough

If your cough is bringing up phlegm, you generally want to avoid cough suppressants. Suppressing a productive cough traps mucus in your lungs, which slows down your recovery. To make yourself more comfortable, especially at night, try sleeping propped up on an extra pillow or two. This prevents mucus from pooling in the back of your throat. For adults and children over the age of one, a warm drink containing honey and lemon may help soothe a scratchy throat.

Over-the-counter medicines

Simple painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen are excellent for bringing down a mild fever and easing the chest soreness that comes from constant coughing. However ibuprofen isn’t suitable for everyone, so ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. If you are struggling with mucus, you might consider an expectorant cough medicine, which is designed to loosen phlegm. Always consult a pharmacist before taking new over-the-counter remedies, especially if you take other prescription medications, to ensure they are safe for you.

When to see a doctor for bronchitis

You should see a doctor for bronchitis if your cough lasts more than three weeks, you develop a high fever, or you experience shortness of breath and chest pain.

When to book an online GP appointment

You can book a video consultation if:

your cough has lasted more than three weeks
your cough is getting worse or not improving
you have unexplained weight loss with your cough
you've had a hoarse voice for more than three weeks

We can assess many symptoms by video. If you need a physical examination or tests, such as a chest X-ray, we will advise you on the next steps.

When to get urgent help

Get an urgent in-person GP appointment or call 111 if:

you have chest pain that comes on when you cough or breathe in, but is not severe
you are more short of breath than usual, but can still speak in full sentences
you are coughing up a small amount of blood or blood-stained mucus
you have a high temperature (38C or above) that is not settling, or you feel very unwell

These symptoms usually need a face-to-face examination, such as listening to your chest, so a video consultation is not the right first step.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you are struggling to breathe, even at rest
you are choking
your lips or skin are turning blue or grey
you feel suddenly confused or unusually drowsy
you are coughing up more than a few teaspoons of blood
you have sudden or severe chest pain, pain that feels heavy or tight, or pain that spreads to your arms, jaw, neck or back

Diagnosing bronchitis

If you consult a doctor, they will begin by asking detailed questions about your symptoms, how long you have had them, and whether you have any underlying health conditions. In a physical setting, a doctor might listen to your chest with a stethoscope. If they suspect complications like pneumonia, they might arrange for further tests, such as a chest X-ray or a sample of your mucus.

In a video consultation,ur clinicians take a detailed history and watch your breathing. Some things can’t be done by video, such as listening to your chest. If you need that kind of examination or any tests, we will advise you on the next steps.

Why antibiotics are rarely prescribed

Many people think a bad chesty cough needs antibiotics. But most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by a virus, and antibiotics don't work against viruses. Research shows that for most people they make little or no difference to how long the cough lasts. NICE guidance on acute cough advises that antibiotics should not routinely be offered for acute bronchitis to people who are not very unwell and are not at higher risk of complications. Taking antibiotics when you don't need them can cause side effects such as diarrhoea and feeling sick, and it adds to antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics may be considered if you are very unwell, if a doctor suspects a more serious infection such as pneumonia, or if you're at higher risk of complications. That includes people with a long-term lung or heart condition, and older adults with other health problems. Deciding whether you need them usually means a face-to-face assessment, so a doctor can listen to your chest.

If you're unsure whether your symptoms need to be checked, you can book a Doctor Care Anywhere video appointment. Our clinicians can advise you on managing your cough and tell you whether you need to be seen in person.

Bronchitis in children and babies

Children get coughs and colds often, and some go on to develop acute bronchitis. In older children, it's usually mild and gets better on its own, as it does in adults. In babies and children under 2, a similar chest infection affecting the smallest airways is called bronchiolitis (see our FAQ below).

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not suitable for children under 6. Honey should not be given to babies under 1.

Get urgent medical help if your child:

is working hard to breathe, such as their nostrils flaring or the skin pulling in under their ribs
is feeding or drinking much less than usual, or has had no wet nappy for 12 hours or more
has a high temperature and seems very unwell

Call 999 if your child has pauses in their breathing, severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips or skin, or is floppy or unresponsive.

A child with breathing difficulty needs to be examined in person, so a video consultation is not the right first step.

Older adults and chronic conditions

Older adults and people with pre-existing lung or heart conditions, such as asthma or COPD, have a higher risk of bronchitis developing into a secondary infection like pneumonia. If you fall into this category, it is vital to be proactive. Do not wait three weeks for a cough to settle. Seek medical advice earlier so a clinician can monitor your chest and ensure your underlying conditions remain well controlled.

Bronchitis during pregnancy

Getting a chest infection when you are pregnant is exhausting, but acute bronchitis itself is not usually harmful to your baby. However, pregnancy can make you more likely to develop complications from some chest infections, such as flu, so seek medical advice earlier than you normally would if your symptoms are getting worst or not improving.

Many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended during pregnancy. Paracetamol is generally condifered safe for treating a high temperature or aches. Always check with a pharmacist, GP, your midwifebefore taking any medicine. Rest, fluids, and warm drinks with honey and lemon can help ease your symptoms.

The difference between bronchitis and bronchiolitis lies in the parts of the lung they affect and the ages of the patients. Bronchitis affects the larger main airways (the bronchi) and occurs in people of all ages. Bronchiolitis is an infection affecting the tiniest airways (the bronchioles). As outlined by the NHS, bronchiolitis almost exclusively affects babies and children under two years old.

Telling whether your bronchitis is viral or bacterial is difficult to do based on symptoms alone. Over 90% of acute bronchitis cases are viral. A doctor makes a clinical assessment and will only suspect a bacterial cause if there are specific risk factors or red flag signs of pneumonia present. The colour of your phlegm does not confirm a bacterial infection.

Your chest hurts so much when you have bronchitis for two main reasons. Firstly, your bronchial tubes themselves are swollen and inflamed. Secondly, the physical effort of a constant, forceful cough puts immense strain on your chest muscles and ribs. This heavy coughing leaves the muscles feeling bruised, tired, and aching.

Whether you should use a cough suppressant for a bronchitis cough depends entirely on the type of cough.. A suppressant can be useful for a dry, hacking cough that stops you from sleeping. However, if your cough is productive and full of mucus, an expectorant might offer some symptom support.

Acute bronchitis can be contagious, because the g viruses that usually cause it, spread easily from person to person. They’re passed on through droplets when you cough, sneeze or talk, and by touching surfaces and then your face. You’re most likely to spread the infection in the first few days when you have cold or flu symptoms. The lingering cough later on is less infections. Chronic bronchitis isn’t contagious, because it’s caused by long-term irritation of the airwards, most often from smoking, not by an infection.

Bronchitis can turn into pneumonia, although it is uncommon in healthy adults. The infection can sometimes travel deeper into the lung tissue and develop into pneumonia. The risk of this happening is significantly higher for the very young, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system or pre-existing lung disease.

Bronchitis: How Long It Lasts and How It's Treated