Can the Flu Turn Into Bronchitis?

Millions of people in the U.S. will get the flu (influenza) this year. But many people don’t realize they can develop complications from the flu even after they start feeling better. 

One very common complication after the flu is a chest cold, or acute bronchitis. Read on to know when the flu spreads to the lungs and what to do if you happen to get a chest cold when you’re sick with the flu.

Does the flu cause bronchitis?

Yes, it can. 

The flu starts by invading the cells in the nose, sinuses, and throat. This is an upper respiratory tract infection, and it causes typical flu symptoms, like:

• Cough

• Congestion

• Runny nose

• Stuffiness

• Sneezing

• Sore throat

The upper respiratory tract infection triggers inflammation and tells your immune system to fight off the flu virus. During this time, you might also experience other symptoms, like:

• Fever

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Muscle aches 

Usually these symptoms last only about a week, and then you get better as your immune system fights off the virus. 

But sometimes the flu virus is able to spread past the upper respiratory tract and into the lungs where it can cause acute bronchitis.

Quiz: Do I have bronchitis?

How does flu turn into bronchitis?

The flu can turn into bronchitis when the flu virus affects your lower respiratory tract, which includes your airways and lungs.

When you take in a breath of air, the air travels down your windpipe (trachea). Two large tubes — bronchi — carry air from the windpipe to the right and left side of the lungs. These tubes then branch like a tree into smaller airways. 

Sometimes the flu virus gets into the cells that make up the airways and trigger inflammation. 

“Bronchitis is an infection involving the central airways and is not uncommon after the flu,” says Dr. Baljinder S. Sidhu, a pulmonologist and co-owner of Pacific Coast Critical Care Group in Southern California. You have cilia in your airways that “normally clear mucus and bacteria,” adds Dr. Sidhu, but this process doesn’t work as it should in bronchitis. 

Cilia are tiny hair-like projections that move foreign particles, like germs, from the lung to the mouth. This is so you can cough or sneeze them out of your body. So, if the cilia aren’t working properly, you can’t clear out mucus very well. And this can lead to bacterial growth and infection, causing the bronchi to start to swell and get inflamed, which is known as bronchitis. 

What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis?

Symptoms of acute bronchitis include: 

• A stubborn cough that won’t go away

• A cough with or without mucus

• Chest discomfort when you take a deep breath

• Wheezing 

• Trouble breathing

• Feeling tired

• Headaches

• Body aches

• Sore throat

These symptoms are the result of inflammation inside the bronchi and from the lungs trying to get rid of the infection. 

What should you do if you’re developing bronchitis with the flu?

If you think you’re developing bronchitis from the flu, here are four steps to take.

1. See your primary care provider

See your primary care provider if you think you’re developing bronchitis from the flu. If you have asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions, they may need to adjust your medication plans to help you fight off the infection. If you have a weakened immune system, you may also need additional support to help you get better.

“It’s very important to identify and treat bronchitis early. The infection can travel farther into the lung, and pneumonia can develop,” Dr. Sidhu warns.

2. Try home remedies for acute bronchitis

While there’s no cure for acute bronchitis, there are some steps you can take to help your symptoms.

Dr. Sidhu recommends remedies that will help you clear mucus. And avoid things that make mucus thicker and harder to remove, including decongestants and antihistamines. Smoking causes cilia to act abnormally and can make matters worse, adds Dr. Sidhu. 

Some self-care treatments that can help ease acute bronchitis symptoms include:

• Fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids helps thin mucus so it’s easier to clear. 

• Humidifiers: Humidifiers moisten the air so it’s easier to breathe in. You can try running a humidifier during the day or just at night while in bed. 

• Honey: Honey can help ease cough symptoms, and it’s safe for adults and children over a year old. You can try a spoonful of honey by itself, or mix it in with tea or hot water. 

• Guaifenesin: This is an over-the-counter medication that loosens mucus so it's easier to cough. It’s sold as a single ingredient, but more often it’s combined with other cold remedies. So check the ingredients to make sure you don’t double up on the medication.  

3. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics and steroids

It can be tempting to try other prescription treatments to ease your symptoms. But in most cases, treatments like steroids and antibiotics will not help your bronchitis go away faster. 

Antibiotics won’t help your cough because they only fight bacteria, and flu-related bronchitis is caused by a virus. In fact, antibiotics may do more harm than good because they can cause side effects like rash and diarrhea. They can also increase your risk of developing antibiotic resistance. 

Steroids also won’t help your cough go away faster and can also cause unwanted side effects. But there are exceptions to this rule. People with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions may need steroids when they are sick with bronchitis to help prevent flares.  

4. Stay home until you feel better

Do your best to get enough rest when you’re sick with acute bronchitis. This gives your body time to recover and your immune system the chance to fight off the infection. 

You can go back to your usual activities when you start feeling better. Keep in mind that a bronchitis cough can last for weeks, even after your lungs have fought off the infection. So you aren’t contagious with bronchitis just because you’re still coughing. As long as you feel better and don’t have a fever, you can go back to work and school. 

Can you stop the flu from turning into bronchitis?

The best thing you can do to keep the flu from turning into bronchitis is to avoid getting sick with the flu.

Getting a yearly flu shot is one of the best ways to protect yourself from getting the flu. And even if you get sick with the flu, the flu shot prevents serious flu symptoms and complications, like bronchitis and pneumonia. Studies have shown the flu vaccine reduces the risk of needing to see the doctor by 40% to 60%.

And if you do get the flu, follow our tips above. And make sure to stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Shiv Sudhakar, MD

Shiv Sudhakar, MD, is a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America and works as a physician in California. He has co-authored over 10 peer-reviewed research articles, published several short stories, had a script recently optioned, and presented 20 scientific presentations, two of which placed in the top 3 at the American College of Physicians.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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