Acute bronchitis: This is the common one. Symptoms last for a few weeks, but it does not usually cause any problems past that.

What Causes It?

The same viruses that give you a cold or the flu also cause bronchitis. Sometimes bacteria are to blame.

In both cases, as your body fights off the germs, your bronchial tubes swell and make more mucus. That means you have smaller openings for air to flow, which can make it harder to breathe.

Risk factors:

• Weaker immune system.

• You smoke or live with a smoker.

• You work around substances that bother your lungs, such as chemical fumes or dust. (Examples: coal mining, working around farm animals).

• You live in or travel to a place with poor air quality or lots of pollution.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Chest congestion, where your chest feels full or clogged

• A cough that may bring up a lot of mucus that’s clear, white, yellow, or green

• Shortness of breath

• A wheezing or a whistling sound when you breathe

You may also: 

• Have body aches and chills

• Feel “wiped out”

• Run a low fever

• Have a runny, stuffy nose

• Have a sore throat

Even after the other symptoms are gone, the cough can last for a few weeks while your bronchial tubes heal and the swelling goes down.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Your doctor usually can tell whether you have bronchitis based on a physical exam and your symptoms. She will ask questions about your cough, such as how long you’ve had it and what kind of mucus comes up with it. She will also listen to your lungs to see whether anything sounds wrong, like wheezing.

What Are the Treatments?

Most of the time, bronchitis goes away on its own within a couple of weeks.

If you have astma, allergies or you’re wheezing, she might suggest an inhaler.

To ease your symptoms, you can:

• Drink a lot of water. Eight to 12 glasses a day helps thin out your mucus and makes it easier to cough it up.

• Get plenty of rest.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin help with pain. But avoid giving aspirin to children. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with both pain and fever.

• Use a humidifier or try steam. A hot shower can be great for loosening up the mucus.

• Take over-the-counter cough medicines. You might take an expectorant (like guaifenosin) during the day to loosen your mucous so it is easier to cough out. For children, check with your pediatrician before using any cough syrups.

Can It Be Prevented?

• Avoid cigarette smoke.

• Get the flu vaccine, since you might get bronchitis from the flu virus.

• Make sure your pertussis vaccine is up to date.

• Wash your hands often.

• Wear a mask when you are around things that bother your lungs, such as paint fumes.

https://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-bronchitis-basics#1

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