Symptoms and treatment of bronchitis Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi. It can develop suddenly, following a cold (acute bronchitis), or it can persist or recur regularly for many years, causing progressive degeneration of the bronchi and lungs (chronic bronchitis). Some people are more sensitive than others; Men are more of a target of bronchitis than women, counting between 10 and 1 cc the reasons are unclear. Of course, smokers are 50 times more likely to contract chronic bronchitis than non-smokers. Acute bronchitis is a bacterial or viral infection, often resulting from cold smoking. People who suffer from acute bronchitis usually have a mild fever, pain under the breastbone, and irritation with coughing. First they have a dry cough, then the cough brings out green and yellow mucus. The cough may persist for 4-6 weeks. Chronic bronchitis is caused by other chronic problems: sinusitis, smoking, tuberculosis, etc. The bronchi become thick, inelastic, and accumulate mucus and pus in the lower part of the lungs instead of carrying secretions up and out. The result is chronic cough, shortness of breath, sometimes spasms and frequent infections. In acute bronchitis, the basic symptoms are cold, fever and chills, runny nose, muscle aches and possibly back pain. This is soon followed by the obvious persistent cough. At first the cough is dry and irritating and over time it becomes phlegmy. Persistent cough is worse at night than during the day and when the person breathes smoke and fumes. The most recognized main symptom in chronic bronchitis is, once again, cough, with sputum, which often manifests itself in paroxysms. Other symptoms of chronic bronchitis depend on how much, or how little, emphysema is present. This disorder causes the lungs to overstretch, making the breathing process difficult. Chronic bronchitis without emphysema tends to be overweight and often has bluish lips due to lack of oxygen. Shortness of breath only occurs during exercise and other strenuous activities. The bronchitic with a lot of emphysema, who has lost much of his ability to exchange oxygen because of the condition, is always short of breath. Bronchitis with emphysema are most often underweight and, as the disease worsens, develop a barrel chest. Chronic bronchitis also wheezes due to obstruction. NOTE: Emphysema is a state of excessive distention of the tiny air-containing sacs of the lung. The cause of bronchitis is due to viral or bacterial infections that spread to the chest..