Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages leading to the lungs.
Bronchitis can be acute (short term) or chronic be lasts long and has high recurrence.
Causes Acute bronchitis usually accompanies viral respiratory infection.
At first, it affects your nose, sinuses and throat and then spreads to the lungs.
Sometimes you can contract a secondary bacterial infection in the airways.
This means that bacteria infected respiratory system, besides virus.
People at risk for acute bronchitis include:

• Seniors, children and babies
• People with heart or lung disease
• Smokers

Chronic bronchitis is a disease with long term effects.
People with the disease have a cough that produces excessive mucus.
To be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, one must cough with mucus on most days of the month for at least 3 months.
Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Emphysema is another type of COPD.
The following conditions may worsen bronchitis:

• Air Pollution
• Allergies
• Certain types of work (such as working in coal mines, textile mills or grain handling)
• Infections

Exams The doctor will listen to your lungs through a stethoscope.
Abnormal sounds in the lungs called rales or other abnormal breath sounds may be heard.
The tests for the diagnosis of bronchitis include:

• Chest X-ray
• Tests of lung function provide useful information for diagnosis and treatment outcome
• Pulse oximetry helps determine the amount of oxygen in the blood.
  This quick and painless test is done with a device that is placed on the fingertip.
  The arterial blood gas is nearly equal measure levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide, but requires a needle and is more painful
• Sputum samples can be extracted for signs of inflammation or bacterial infection.
  

Symptoms The symptoms of any of the types of bronchitis may include:

• Chest discomfort
• Cough that produces mucus
• If sputum is yellowish green, it is probably a bacterial infection
• Fatigue
• Fever - usually low
• Shortness of breath worsens with exertion or mild activity
• Snoring or wheezing

Even after the disappearance of acute bronchitis, you can still have a dry cough and uncomfortable stretching for several weeks.
Other symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:

• Swollen ankles, feet and legs
• Purple lips due to low oxygen
• Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or flu)

Seeking medical help Call your doctor if:

• Coughing almost every day or have a cough that comes and goes frequently
• You are coughing blood
• You have fever or chills
• Has mild fever for 3 days or more
• Present and greenish thick mucus, especially if it has a bad smell
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• If you have a chronic underlying disease, such as heart or lung disease

Treatment Antibiotics are not needed for acute bronchitis caused by a virus.
Infection usually disappears after a single week.
Follow these steps to get some relief:

• Do not smoke
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Rest
• Take aspirin or acetaminophen for fever.
  Do not give aspirin to children
• Use a humidifier or vaporizer in the bathroom

If symptoms do not disappear bronchitis, your doctor may prescribe you an inhaler to open up the airways in case you are with wheezing.
Antibiotics may be prescribed if there is suspicion of a secondary bacterial infection.
In most cases, antibiotics are not needed nor recommended.
For any type of bronchitis, the most important step to be taken is to stop smoking.
If bronchitis is caught early enough, can prevent lung damage.
Prevention

• Do not smoke
• Take the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine annually directly with your doctor
• Reduce your exposure to air pollution
• Wash your hands (and your children's hands) frequently to avoid spreading viruses and other infections