people with lung or respiratory diseases.people who work with harmful fumes or chemicals.Sometimes, a cold or other respiratory infection turns into bronchitis.Ĭhronic bronchitis is caused by frequent exposure to things that irritate your lungs, such as:Īs with many types of respiratory infections, some people are at a higher risk of developing bronchitis than others. In both viral and bacterial bronchitis, germs enter the bronchial tubes of your lungs and cause irritation. In less than 10 percent of cases, it’s caused by bacteria. COPD also includes chronic emphysema and asthma.Īdditional symptoms of COPD, including chronic bronchitis, are:Īcute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. When it gets worse, it’s known as a flare-up.Ĭhronic bronchitis is part of a group of conditions called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You might also feel that your cough goes through cycles of getting better and worse. Chronic bronchitisĬhronic bronchitis, on the other hand, causes a persistent cough that often lasts for at least 3 months. When you cough, you might also notice that your phlegm looks green or yellow.Īcute bronchitis symptoms usually get better within a few days, but the cough can stick around for a few weeks. Symptoms of acute bronchitis are very similar to those of an upper respiratory infection, such as:

Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a long-term condition caused by repeated exposure to chemicals or irritants like cigarette smoke. Simply stated, acute bronchitis will go away over several weeks and is usually caused by an infection.

The symptoms of bronchitis depend on whether it’s acute or chronic.

You can tell the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia by checking for other symptoms. Caused by infection or irritation, acute bronchitis can usually resolve on its own over the course of a few weeks.īoth bronchitis and pneumonia cause a cough that sometimes produces phlegm, a thick type of mucus that’s made in your chest. Bronchitis: Symptoms, causes, and treatmentīronchitis is a condition that mostly affects the upper airway.

Fluid in lungs sound