Worsening of Chronic Bronchitis
Common colds can cause acute worsening of chronic bronchitis in patients with this condition. (58-60) These episodes are characterized by increased cough, sputum, shortness of breath, and sometimes fever. The fever is presumably due to a secondary bacterial infection and not the viral cold.
Treatment with antibiotics is usually recommended in acute attacks of chronic bronchitis. (61) People with chronic bronchitis and other types of serious lung and heart disease should, when possible, avoid people with fresh colds (1-3 days). Also, they should take precautions to reduce the risk of catching colds from other people (see Reducing the Risk of Catching Colds).
