How do I know if my cough is bronchitis?

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Acute bronchitis is a common respiratory infection that affects both children and adults and usually gets better on its own,” explains Erika Radford, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK. “Whereas chronic bronchitis is more common in people over the age of 35 and is usually caused by long-term lung damage, the main risk factors being smoking or exposure to air pollution.” What causes it? “Individuals at higher risk for developing bronchitis include young children, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, individuals with pre-existing lung conditions, and smokers,” says Sharma. “However, supportive measures such as drinking warm tea with honey, using throat lozenges, or taking over-the-counter medications to alleviate cough symptoms and loosen mucus can be helpful.” The NHS website recommends contacting your GP if symptoms last longer than three weeks, as you may need antibiotics if your bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection.