Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi of the lungs, that causes the cilia of the bronchial epithelial cells to stop functioning.

Like many disorders, bronchitis can be acute (short-term), or chronic (long-lasting). Chronic bronchitis is a problem commonly seen in smokers, whereas acute bronchitis is almost always caused by viral infection, as elucidated by recent studies.

Symptoms

The symptoms of acute and chronic bronchitis include:

• Discolored mucus (white, yellow, or green) is not indicative of a bacterial infection; it is caused by peroxidase released by neutrophils
• Bloody (pink, red or rust-streaked) mucus (should be evaluated by a doctor)
• Shortness of breath, worsened by activity
• Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Chest discomfort
• Malaise

Acute bronchitis

• usually lasts about 10 to 11 days.
• rarely responds to antibiotics due to its primarily viral etiology and should be treated symptomatically.
• complications are more likely with comorbidities such as smoking, asthma, and COPD.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a chronic obstructive respiratory disease, where the airways are obstructed by plugs of mucus.

External links

Section Online medical references

• Acute bronchitis (http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section6/chapter69/69a.jsp) Merck Manual of Diagnosis & Therapy
• Bronchitis (http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home2/sec04/ch041/ch041a.jsp) The Merck Manual - Second Home Edition
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home2/sec04/ch045/ch045a.jsp) The Merck Manual - Second Home Edition
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mm_geriatrics/sec10/ch78.jsp) The Merck Manual of Geriatrics
• Lungs OnLine - Bronchitis (http://www.lungsonline.com/bronchitis.html)
• [1] (http://familydoctor.org/677.xml) FamilyDoctor.org (American Academy of Family Physicians)