Bronchitis

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
When to seek medical advice

Tests and diagnosis
Complications
Treatments and drugs
Prevention
Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

Just when you thought you were finally over a cold, your chest starts to feel sore and you develop a cough. Later, you might get the chills or a slight fever.

If these signs and symptoms sound familiar, you might have acute bronchitis, a condition that occurs when the inner walls that line the main air passageways of your lungs become infected and inflamed. Bronchitis often follows a respiratory infection such as a cold. Smoking and exposure to smoke are also risk factors for bronchitis.

Most cases of acute bronchitis disappear within a few days without lasting effects, although coughs may linger for weeks. If you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, see your doctor. You may have a more serious health problem — such as asthma or chronic bronchitis — that needs medical attention.

Symptoms