Bronchitis: Understanding This Illness

It is a very common illness. Bronchitis is an illness that affects bronchial tubes. They become inflamed, which in turn makes it difficult for them to carry air to and from lungs. Sufferers are likely to have a cough that produces thickened mucus, which may be discolored. The cough is usually accompanied by fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, chills, and chest discomfort. We know two types of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a shorter illness that commonly follows a cold or viral infection, such as the flu. It consists of a cough with mucus, chest discomfort or soreness, fever, and, sometimes, shortness of breath. Chronic bronchitis is a serious, ongoing illness characterized by a persistent, mucus-producing cough that lasts longer than 3 months. People with chronic bronchitis have varying degrees of breathing difficulties!