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
• Shortness of breath
• Hemoptysis

Additional symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:

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