Bronchitis is an infection to the airways of the lungs (bronchi) which causes bronchi to become irritated and inflamed. Bronchial tubes become swollen and inflamed. Bronchitis patients often cough up with discolored thickened mucus. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic.

• Acute bronchitis: Acute means symptoms appear for short time. It is caused by virus. It is a type of inflammation or swelling of tissue in the main passages that carry air to the lungs. The swelling of bronchioles narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe. First, it affects nose, throat and then to the airways and further lungs. Symptoms of acute bronchitis includes cold, cough, flu like illness, cough, with mucus.

• Chronic bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis’s symptom last for three months to one year and even lasts for two years. The disease is caused due to viral and bacterial infections. It causes productive cough which is marked by overproduction of mucus and mucins. It produces excess mucus which is secreted by goblet cells due to long term irritation and enlarges the sub mucosal glands. The concentration of mucus is high in case of chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is diagnosed by symptoms. It is treated by drugs, NSAIDS like Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen and by taking plenty of fluids. Treatment of chronic bronchitis includes style changes, such as quitting smoking. Bronchodilators relax the muscles around airways. In severe cases the inhalers must contain steroids to reduce inflammation. Oxygen therapy and lung transplant are recommended in case of severe chronic bronchitis. Using of humidifier or steam loosen the mucus and antibiotics like amoxicillin, doxycycline are used in the treatment of bronchitis. Counter cough drugs like guaifenesin will loosen the mucus. Vaccines are available for the flu and pneumococcal pneumonia.