Bronchitis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]; Nate Michalak, B.A.

Bronchitis Main page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Acute bronchitis Chronic bronchitis
Differential Diagnosis

Overview

Bronchitis presents with respiratory symptoms, including cough and sputum production, as well as some constitutional symptoms.

History

Acute bronchitis presents with recent onset cough and fever, usually accompanied with constitutional symptoms.
Chronic bronchitis, by definition, is a chronic condition with productive cough and dyspnea lasting more than 3 months for 2 consecutive years.

Symptoms

Acute Bronchitis

Symptoms of acute bronchitis are typically related to irritation of airways. Constitutional symptoms may also be present.

• Bronchial irritation symptoms:

• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Phlegm production

Note that despite common sense, phlegm production does not necessarily indicate bacterial infection.

• Constitutional Symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Fever
• malaise
• Myalgia

Chronic Bronchitis

• Productive cough
• Shortness of breath
• Hemoptysis

Additional symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:

• Peripheral edema
• Cyanosis
• Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or the flu)