Bronchitis, Acute Bronchitis

asthmatic bronchitis

Introduction:

Bronchitis is due to inflammation of the large air passageways of the lungs. Acute bronchitis is a short term illness usually caused by an upper respiratory viral or bacterial pathogen that has spread downward from the sinuses or throat into the lungs. The progression of the common cold may often precipitate acute bronchitis in this fashion. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include cough, shortness of breath, sputum production, fatigue, fevers, chest pain with cough, and wheezing. Many patients become concerned about cough which has persisted for a up to a month after the acute phase. In general, the cough should slowly resolve over the course of a month to resolution after the acute phase. As opposed to acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis is characterized by bronchial inflammation and a lower grade illness characterized by sputum production most days of the month for at least 3 months of the year for 2 consecutive years. Pneumonia may cause similar symptoms as bronchitis, but generally is a more severe illness than bronchitis with high fevers, chills, and severe shortness of breath.