Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi, the larger airways that carry air into and out of the lungs.
Acute bronchitis commonly develops during or after a respiratory infection and is usually caused by viruses. It often produces a cough that may persist for several weeks even after the original infection has resolved.
Chronic bronchitis is a different clinical concept and is characterized by a chronic productive cough in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
QUICK FACT
Acute bronchitis is usually viral, so antibiotics are generally not helpful unless there is another reason to suspect a bacterial infection.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Pneumonia: Both can cause cough and other respiratory symptoms, but pneumonia involves infection and inflammation of lung tissue and can cause more serious impairment of gas exchange.
SEE ALSO