Acute Cough - Bronchitis
Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Forth Valley
Further information:
Antibiotic of little benefit if no co-morbidity.
Symptom resolution can take 3 weeks.
Consider CRP test prior to antibiotics if being considered:
- CRP<20mg/L and symptoms for >24 hours - no antibiotics
- CRP 20-100mg/L delayed antibiotic with worsening advice
- CRP >100mg/L immediate antibiotics
Consider immediate antibiotic treatment only if Age >80yr with ONE or Age >65yrs with TWO of:
- hospitalisation in past year
- recent oral steroids
- diabetic
- congestive heart failure
- serious neurological disorder/stroke
Drug details
First line - self-care, reassure symptoms usually resolve without antibiotic and safety netting advice
Amoxicillin
500mg TDS
5 days
or
Doxycycline
(avoid co-administration of Ca/Mg/Iron preps)
200mg stat then 100mg OD
5 days