What is the first line treatment for Acute Bronchitis?

The first-line treatment for acute bronchitis is supportive care. Acute bronchitis is primarily caused by viral infections, and antibiotics are not effective against viruses. The focus of treatment is to relieve symptoms and support the body's healing process rather than directly addressing the infection.

Supportive care may include measures such as staying hydrated, using over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever and discomfort, and perhaps utilizing cough suppressants or expectorants as needed. These interventions help ease the symptoms, allowing the patient to recover while the immune system naturally combats the viral infection.

Inhaled corticosteroids and respiratory fluoroquinolones are typically reserved for other conditions where inflammation or bacterial infection is more prominent, such as asthma, COPD exacerbations, or specific bacterial infections. In the case of acute bronchitis, these treatments are not warranted, making supportive care the most appropriate and effective initial approach.