Experts often recommend that people with acute bronchitis drink plenty of fluids. Although there is no data available about effectiveness, in theory, keeping the airways moist may loosen mucus and assist the body's attempt to cough out the irritants inside of the airways and lungs.

Cigarette smoke irritates the lungs and may worsen symptoms during acute bronchitis.

Experts suggest that those who have bronchitis refrain from smoking and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke from others (including cigars, etc.).

Despite a lack of data, experts believe that the simple measure of adding moisture to the air may be helpful for people with acute bronchitis, especially when the air is dry (winter, low-humidity environments, etc).

Despite a lack of data, some experts believe that steam inhalation may be helpful for people with acute bronchitis, to help loosen mucus secretions and cough up irritants that are in the sputum.

Steam can be inhaled in the shower or by preparing a pot of hot water and draping a towel over your head to make a steam tent.

Use caution to avoid burns and do not do this on the stove or near a flame.

Limited studies suggest that cough medicines (codeine, dextromethorphan, Robitussin, Vicks 44 Cough Relief, more) have little or no effect on the severity and duration of cough due to acute bronchitis.

Some experts express concern that cough medicines which suppress coughs could affect the body's ability to cough out the irritants inside of the airways and lungs, and only recommend these medications at night if the cough is interfering with sleep.

A number of studies have evaluated the use of antibiotics for people with acute bronchitis and suggest that they may modestly decrease the duration of cough, but have no impact on the quality of life, or on the ability to return to normal activities.

Since most cases of acute bronchitis heal without treatment, and antibiotics commonly cause side effects, most experts recommend against the use of antibiotics for uncomplicated cases of acute bronchitis.

Another reason that experts do not like to prescribe antibiotics for acute bronchitis is that widespread use of antibiotics can lead to hard-to-treat (or "resistant") bacteria, which have "learned" how to survive in the presence of these medications.

Physicians are more likely to prescribe antibiotics for people with acute bronchitis who have a higher risk of having a bacterial infection such as smokers, individuals with asthma, the extremely elderly, people with previous history of pneumonia, and individuals whose symptom are not improving with time.

Bronchodilators are medications typically used for asthma treatment that help narrowed airways to open and improve breathing. Studies to evaluate whether bronchodilators decrease the severity and duration of the cough due to acute bronchitis have failed to find any benefit.

Acute bronchitis can sometimes mimic asthma, however, and physicians sometimes prescribe a trial of bronchodilators as a test when he/she suspects that symptoms may be due to asthma.

Although data is lacking, most experts recommend against the use of antihistamines for people with acute bronchitis.

Experts express concern that antihistamines, which have a drying effect on the airways, could dry up the mucus, making it thick and difficult to cough up, and increasing the chances of developing pneumonia.

Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat a type of germ called a bacteria. Since most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses (and not bacteria), and heal without treatment, most experts recommend against the use of antibiotics for uncomplicated cases of acute bronchitis.

Physicians are more likely to prescribe antibiotics for those with acute bronchitis who have a higher risk of having a bacterial infection such as smokers, people with asthma, the extremely elderly, people with past history of frequent pneumonia, people with compromised immune systems (AIDS, translant recipients), and those whose symptoms are not improving with time (usually 2-3 weeks).

Bronchodilators are medications typically used for asthma treatment that help narrowed airways to open and improve breathing.

Acute bronchitis can sometimes mimic certain types of asthma ("asthma equivalent") in which a cough is the most prominent symptom. Physicians sometimes prescribe a trial of bronchodilators as a test when he/she suspects that symptoms may be due to asthma.

Expectorants are over-the-counter cough medications that increase secretions and, in theory, help loosen mucus secretions so that they are easier to cough out.

Limited data suggests that expectorants do not relieve the symptoms of acute bronchitis. There is no conclusive evidence about whether or not these medications provide any benefits.

Acute bronchitis occurs more commonly in people who smoke. Along with other health benefits, people who stop smoking decrease the chance of developing acute and chronic bronchitis, as well as emphysema, asthma and lung cancer.