Making the Diagnosis
An acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis is said to have occurred if there has been an increase in frequency and severity of cough, along with larger amounts of sputum that may be thicker than usual, but without evidence of pneumonia. The bigger challenge lies in diagnosing the cause of an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis so that the best treatment can be put in place. Therefore, it is important for the person with AECB to report a clear picture to their doctor of the circumstances that may have led to the particular episode. For example, was there exposure to inhaled irritants such as second-hand smoke in the recent past? It is also extremely important to accurately describe symptoms to the doctor (e.g., fever, chills).
Your physician may investigate your AECB with a chest X-ray or a sputum culture. Treatment is often started before the test results confirm the condition.