Cortisone for Bronchitis: Understanding Its Role & Limitations

Cortisone is not the treatment of choice for bronchitis.

* Acute bronchitis is a viral infection of the bronchi, the large airways that carry air into your lungs. It's usually caused by viruses, such as the ones that cause the common cold or flu. In most cases, acute bronchitis gets better on its own in a few weeks. For this reason, antibiotics aren't effective for treating acute bronchitis.

* Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition in which the airways become inflamed and narrowed, causing coughing and shortness of breath. Corticosteroids may be prescribed for chronic bronchitis to reduce inflammation and prevent exacerbations or flares-ups.