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]

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

Overview

Bronchitis presents with the respiratory symptoms such as: cough and sputum production also it has some constitutional features.

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 three months for two consecutive year.

Symptoms

Acute Bronchitis

Symptoms of acute bronchitisare typically related to irritation of airways. Sometimes, constitutional symptoms presents.

1. Bronchial irritation symptoms:

• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Phlegm production

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

2. Constitutional Symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Fever
• malaise
• Myalgia

Chronic bronchitis

Productive cough with gradual progression to intermittent shortness of breath. It is possible the sputum may contain blood (hemoptysis), usually due to damage of the blood vessels of the airways. An acute exacerbation may present as productive cough or an acute chest illness. The cough usually is worse in the mornings and produces a small amount of colorless sputum. The frequency and severity of acute exacerbation usually increases as the disease progresses.

Additional symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:

• Ankle, feet, and leg swelling
• Blue-colored lips from low levels of oxygen
• Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or the flu)

Chronic Bronchitis

• Cough with sputum expectoration for at least 3 months a year during a period of 2 consecutive years. The patient may give a history of seasonal worsening of cough (winters)followed by progression of cough from seasonal to perennial, increased frequency, duration and severity of symptoms.
• Difficulty in breathing and blue discoloration of extremities can be seen in late stages of the disease.
• Shortness of breath, worsened by exertion or mild activity
• Wheezing
• Chest discomfort