Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), which causes them to become inflamed. It is common in cold season and often develops following a cold, sore throat or flu. The main symptom of bronchitis is a cough, which may bring up yellow-grey mucus. Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat, wheezing and a blocked nose.

1.      How bronchitis affects your airways

The bronchi are the main airways in your lungs, which branch off on either side of your windpipe (trachea). They lead to smaller and smaller airways inside your lungs, known as bronchioles. The walls of the bronchi produce mucus to trap dust and other particles that could otherwise cause irritation.

Bronchitis occurs when an infection causes the bronchi to become irritated and swollen (inflamed), which causes them to produce more mucus than usual. Your body tries to shift this extra mucus through coughing.

2.      Who is affected?

Anyone can be affected by bronchitis, although smokers and people who work with substances that can irritate the lungs, such as grains or textiles, are more likely to get it.

3.      Acute and chronic bronchitis

Bronchitis is usually a mild and self-limiting condition. Self-limiting means that it clears up by itself, usually within a couple of weeks. This is known as acute bronchitis as it lasts for only a short period of time. However, in some cases, the damage caused by the infection of the bronchi can become permanent, causing the condition to be more severe and long lasting. If the infection lasts longer than three months, it is known as chronic bronchitis.

4.      Outlook

Most cases of bronchitis can be treated easily at home and do not usually require further medication. However, people with severe or chronic bronchitis, or those with an underlying condition such as asthma, may need treatment from a doctor.

Symptoms of bronchitis

The main symptom of bronchitis is a hacking cough. It is likely that your cough will bring up thick yellow-grey mucus, although this does not always happen.

Your cough may last for several weeks after other symptoms have gone, and you may find the continual coughing motion makes your chest and stomach muscles sore.

Other symptoms of bronchitis may include:

• a tight feeling in your chest
• breathlessness
• wheezing
• sore throat
• slight fever and chills
• headaches
• blocked nose and sinuses
• aches and pains

These symptoms, although unpleasant, are usually not severe and you may not need to see your doctor. However, the symptoms of bronchitis can be similar to those of pneumonia (an infection that causes inflammation in your lungs), so it is important to look out for any changes in your symptoms.

See your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following apply:

• your cough is very severe or lasts longer than three weeks
• you have a constant fever for more than three days
• you cough up mucus streaked with blood
• you develop rapid breathing (more than 30 breaths a minute) or chest pains
• you become drowsy or confused
• you have had repeated bouts of bronchitis
• you have an underlying heart or lung condition, such as asthma, emphysema (damage to the small airways in your lungs), congestive heart failure (weakness in the heart that leads to fluid in your lungs) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (long-term lung damage).

Causes of bronchitis

1.      Viral or bacterial infection

The bronchitis infection can be caused by either a virus or bacteria, although viral bronchitis is much more common.

In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or influenza (flu). The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. These droplets typically spread about 1m (3ft). They hang suspended in the air for a while, then land on surfaces where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours. Anyone who touches these surfaces can spread the virus further by touching something else.

Everyday items at home and in public places, such as door handles and keyboards, may have traces of the virus. People usually become infected by picking up the virus on their hands from contaminated objects and then placing their hands near their mouth or nose. It is also possible to breathe in the virus if it is suspended in airborne droplets.

2.      Breathing in irritant substances

Bronchitis can also be triggered by breathing in irritant substances, such as smog, chemicals in household products or tobacco smoke. Smoking is the main cause of chronic (long-term) bronchitis, and it can affect people who inhale second-hand smoke as well as smokers themselves.

You may also be at risk of bronchitis if you are often exposed to materials that can damage your lungs, such as grain dust, textiles (fabric fibres), ammonia, strong acids or chlorine. This is sometimes referred to as occupational bronchitis, and usually eases once you are no longer exposed to the irritant substance.

Related articles

1. Dia­gnos­ing and treat­ing bron­chitis 
2. Res­pir­at­ory tract infec­tion — Bron­chi­olitis
3. Fungal infec­tions — Asper­gil­losis
4. Bron­chiectasis 
5. Chronic obstruct­ive pul­mon­ary dis­ease 
6. Croup infection
7. Cystic fibrosis 

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