Acute bronchitis is typically treated with which management approach?

• A. Supportive care
• B. Amoxicillin
• C. Azithromycin
• D. Prednisone

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that most acute bronchitis is viral and self-limited, so antibiotics don’t shorten the illness or improve outcomes. Management is supportive, aimed at easing symptoms and keeping the person comfortable while the illness runs its course. This includes fluids, rest, fever/pain control, and, if needed, bronchodilators for wheezing or breathlessness and cough-suppressants for troublesome cough at night. Antibiotics (like amoxicillin or azithromycin) don’t provide a meaningful benefit here and expose the patient to side effects and resistance. Systemic steroids are not routinely used for uncomplicated acute bronchitis; they’re reserved for specific scenarios such as COPD or asthma exacerbations. That’s why supportive care is the best approach.