Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis typically lasts three weeks or less and is characterized by an irritating, initially unproductive cough with upper retrosternal discomfort or a burning pain. It is most often caused by viral infections such as influenza A and B, parainfluenza, coronavirus, and rhinovirus, and less commonly by bacteria including Chlamydia pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Non-infectious triggers may include asthma, heart failure, environmental irritants, and gastro-esophageal reflux. The underlying process is mucosal injury and epithelial cell damage, which provokes the release of inflammatory mediators and increased mucus production.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is defined by a productive cough on most days for three months or longer, and is usually worse in the morning.

The main symptom is a persistent cough, which may be dry early on and later productive of mucus. Associated features include chest discomfort, wheeze, shortness of breath, fatigue, and a low-grade fever in acute infectious cases.

• Chronic heart failure
• Pneumonia