| Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease that | | | | According to the triggers of the disease, bronchitis can |
| involves inflammation and often infection of the | | | | also be categorized into infectious and non-infectious |
| bronchial mucosal membranes. The symptoms | | | | bronchitis. Non-infectious bronchitis is generally the |
| generated by bronchitis vary according to the causes | | | | result of prolonged exposure to chemicals, cigarette |
| and the seriousness of the disease. Judging by the | | | | smoke and pollutants. Allergens (pollen, dust particles) |
| intensity and the duration of the disease, bronchitis can | | | | are also triggers of non-infectious bronchitis, causing |
| be either acute or chronic. | | | | the disease to reoccur on a regular time basis. |
| Acute bronchitis has a rapid onset and generates | | | | Infectious bronchitis involves infection with |
| intense symptoms. However, most people with acute | | | | microorganisms and its generated symptoms are |
| bronchitis respond well to specific treatments and are | | | | usually more intense. Common infectious agents |
| usually recovered quickly and permanently, with minimal | | | | responsible for causing this type of bronchitis are |
| risks of relapse. Acute bronchitis is very common | | | | bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas and fungal organisms. |
| among children and thus it is also commonly referred | | | | Acute bronchitis is often associated with bacterial or |
| to as "childhood bronchitis". This type of bronchitis may | | | | viral infections. The disease is commonly acquired in |
| last from a few days to 2-3 weeks. Acute bronchitis is | | | | the flu seasons and it generates symptoms such as: |
| highly treatable and it rarely leads to complications. | | | | dry or low-productive cough, chills, low or moderate |
| However, in the absence of medical treatment, acute | | | | fever, sore throat, chest discomfort and pain, wheezing |
| bronchitis may eventually become chronic, or it can | | | | and difficulty breathing. With appropriate treatment, the |
| further lead to pulmonary diseases (pneumonia, | | | | symptoms of acute infectious bronchitis are quickly |
| emphysema). | | | | alleviated and the disease can be completely |
| Unlike acute bronchitis, chronic forms of the disease | | | | overcome within a couple of weeks. |
| generate persistent, recurrent symptoms. Although the | | | | Chronic bronchitis is usually the result of mistreated or |
| clinical manifestations of chronic bronchitis are less | | | | untreated previous respiratory diseases. This type of |
| intense, this type of disease is very difficult to treat. | | | | bronchitis often occurs when the bronchial mucosal |
| Even if patients with chronic bronchitis respond well to | | | | membranes become inflamed and infected multiple |
| specific medical treatments, they often experience | | | | times over a short period of time. Chronic bronchitis is |
| relapse after completing their prescribed course of | | | | usually the consequence of exposure to both |
| medications. Chronic bronchitis can last for around | | | | infectious and non-infectious agents. The occurrence |
| three months, regularly reoccurring on the period of | | | | and the progression of chronic bronchitis are strongly |
| two years or even more. Chronic bronchitis often | | | | influenced by smoking, which augments the symptoms |
| involves the lungs, and it can lead to serious pulmonary | | | | of the disease and slows down the healing of the |
| diseases. In fact, chronic bronchitis is one of the most | | | | respiratory tissues and organs. Chronic bronchitis |
| commonly diagnosed types of chronic obstructive | | | | generates symptoms such as highly productive cough, |
| pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis has a | | | | pronounced difficulty in breathing, shallow breathing, |
| very high incidence in smokers and it is also known as | | | | wheezing, chest discomfort and pain. |
| "the smokers' disease". | | | | |