What is the primary management strategy for acute bronchitis?

The primary management strategy for acute bronchitis is focused on symptomatic treatment, which often includes the use of cough suppressants. Acute bronchitis is usually viral in origin, and antibiotics are generally not effective against viral infections. Therefore, the treatment aims to relieve symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and fatigue without targeting the underlying viral cause.

Cough suppressants help reduce the discomfort associated with persistent coughing, especially if it interferes with sleep or daily activities. Other symptomatic treatments might also include expectorants to help loosen mucus and increase hydration to soothe the respiratory tract.

The use of inhaled steroids is more appropriate in conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but is not a standard treatment for acute bronchitis. Hospitalization is typically reserved for severe cases or patients with significant comorbidities, which is rare in uncomplicated acute bronchitis cases. Therefore, symptomatic treatment stands out as the most relevant management approach.