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The main symptom of bronchitis is a bad cough.¹ Your cough may start a few days after other symptoms caused by a virus. You may have been feeling generally unwell, have a slight fever and have aching muscles.¹

You may cough up mucus, wheeze (make a whistling sound when you breathe) and feel short of breath when you do something like walking up stairs.^{1 2} The constant coughing can make your chest hurt.

You may be able to manage these symptoms without seeing your doctor. But you should seek medical advice if you are worried about your symptoms, or if you have other health problems like lung problems or heart disease. You should also seek medical help for a young child who is sick with bronchitis. It's also a good idea to see a doctor if you have a cough that lasts for more than two weeks.

Some symptoms might mean you have a more serious condition, such as pneumonia. You should see your doctor if you:¹

• Have a high fever (more than 104 degrees)
• Feel very out of breath.

Your doctor may send you for a chest X-ray to see if you have pneumonia. Pneumonia happens when a germ (usually bacteria, but occasionally a virus) infects your lungs, causing serious inflammation. This makes it difficult to breathe. To learn more, see Pneumonia.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.