Your bronchial tubes are responsible for delivering air to your
lungs. When these tubes become inflamed, mucus can build up. The
coughing and shortness of breath this causes is known as
bronchitis. People often develop acute bronchitis after a viral
chest infection. It is important to distinguish acute bronchitis
from chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis usually lasts less
than 10 days. However the coughing can continue for several
weeks after the inflammation has cleared. Chronic bronchitis can
last for several weeks and usually comes back. The most common
cause of acute bronchitis is a viral upper respiratory
infection. Both the common cold and influenza can lead to acute
bronchitis. In rare cases, the bacterium that causes whooping
cough can also cause acute bronchitis. This bacterium is called
Bordetella pertussis. The symptoms of acute bronchitis are not
specific. They mimic symptoms of other conditions such as
chronic cough, chronic bronchitis, postnasal drip, and
pneumonia. Therefore, acute diagnosis m