Bronchitis is an inflammation of the main air passages (bronchi) to your lungs. It causes a cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Coughing often brings up yellow or greenish mucus. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.

Acute bronchitis is often caused by the same viruses that cause colds. It usually starts as a sore throat, runny nose or sinus infection, then spreads to your airways. It can cause a lingering dry cough, but it usually goes away on its own.

Chronic bronchitis is one type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The inflamed bronchi produce a lot of mucus. This leads to cough and difficulty getting air in and out of the lungs. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause. Breathing in other fumes and dusts over a long period of time may also cause chronic bronchitis. Treatment will help your symptoms, but chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that keeps coming back or never goes away completely.

There is no test to prove you have bronchitis. Almost all cases of bronchitis are caused by viruses. Antibiotics won't help, because they don't kill viruses. Even when the mucus you cough up is thick and yellow, antibiotics won't help you get better any faster. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed may harm you by creating stronger germs. Most cases of bronchitis will get better on their own.

Bronchitis may be confused with allergies, asthma or pneumonia. Talk with your health care provider if you have other symptoms, such as a high fever, feeling weak, trouble breathing when you lie down, and wheezing at night or when you are active.

The best ways to prevent bronchitis are to wash your hands and to stop smoking. Viruses are spread when you touch your hands to your mouth, nose and eyes. Washing your hands often with soap and warm water will help keep viruses from entering your body. You are less likely to get bronchitis in the future if you stop smoking. Also, avoid breathing dust, smoke and fumes that can damage your lungs.

Bronchitis affects millions of Americans each year. It develops just when you thought that you are finished with cold but then you suddenly feel that you are developing a cough.

If these signs suddenly appear, you might be surprised that you have developed acute bronchitis. You may have acute bronchitis when the inner wall of the passageway of your lungs becomes inflamed. This often follows a respiratory infection like colds.

The risk factors of bronchitis are increased when the individual is exposed to smoking and even second hand smoking can affect the presence of bronchitis.

Generally bronchitis can fade away with the use of proper medicines after a few days without any lasting effects though you can expect that cough can still linger for some time.

But if your bouts of bronchitis are more often then you have to check with your doctor because repeated presence of bronchitis can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition like chronic bronchitis or asthma.

A person who smoke or live with smoker is in greater risk of developing chronic and acute bronchitis. Those children who also live with family members who regularly smoke are also more prone to develop bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia and colds.

Other factors that also increase the risk of bronchitis are:

GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The acids that come from the stomach can have a reflux to the esophagus causing it to produce chronic cough.
Vulnerability to infection. Your immune system can be vulnerable to infection like colds and cough if you have other illnesses that affect the immune system.
Constant Exposure to irritants. Irritants that are most common in your work can increase your risk of developing bronchitis. Irritants like acids and chlorine is better avoided.

Understanding Bronchitis Recommended Resources:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Cedars-Sinai