What Is Bronchitis or Chest Cold?
Bronchitis — sometimes referred to as a chest cold — occurs when the airways in your lungs are inflamed and make too much mucus. There are two basic types of bronchitis: • Acute bronchitis is more common and usually is caused by a viral infection. Acute bronchitis may also be called a chest cold. Episodes of acute bronchitis can be related to and made worse by smoking. This type of bronchitis is often described as being worse than a regular cold but not as bad as pneumonia. • Chronic bronchitis is a cough that persists for two to three months each year for at least two years. Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis.
