Bronchitis is inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Bronchitis may be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs.

The symptoms of either type of bronchitis may include:

• Chest discomfort
• Cough that produces mucus; if it's yellow-green, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection
• Fatigue
• Fever -- usually low
• Shortness of breath worsened by exertion or mild activity
• Wheezing

Even after acute bronchitis has cleared, you may have a dry, nagging cough that lingers for several weeks.

Additional symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:

• Ankle, feet, and leg swelling
• Blue-colored lips from low levels of oxygen
• Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or the flu)

Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat and then spreads to the lungs. Sometimes, you may get another (secondary) bacterial infection in the airways.This means that bacteria infect the airways, in addition to the virus.

People at risk for acute bronchitis include:

• The elderly, infants, and young children
• Persons with heart or lung disease
• Smokers

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition. People have a cough that produces excessive mucus. To be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, you must have a cough with mucus most days of the month for at least 3 months.

The following things can make bronchitis worse:

• Air pollution
• Allergies
• Certain occupations (such as coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling)
• Infections

The physicians at Meadowbrook Urgent Care will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Abnormal sounds in the lungs called rales or other abnormal breathing sounds may be heard.

Tests may include:

• Chest x-ray
• Lung function tests provide information that is useful for diagnosis and your outlook.
• Pulse oximetry helps determine the amount of oxygen in your blood. This quick and painless test uses a device that is placed onto the end of your finger. Arterial blood gas is a more exact measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, but it requires a needle stick and is more painful.
• Sputum samples may be taken to check for signs of inflammation or bacterial infection.

For acute bronchitis, symptoms usually go away within 7 to 10 days if you do not have an underlying lung disorder. However, a dry, hacking cough can linger for a number of months.

The chance for recovery is poor for persons with advanced chronic bronchitis. Early recognition and treatment, combined with smoking cessation, significantly improve the chance of a good outcome.

• DO NOT smoke.
• Get a yearly flu vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine as directed by your doctor.
• Reduce your exposure to air pollution.
• Wash your hands (and your children's hands) frequently to avoid spreading viruses and other infections.

• You have a cough most days or you have a cough that returns frequently
• You are coughing up blood
• You have a high fever or shaking chills
• You have a low-grade fever for 3 or more days
• You have thick, greenish mucus, especially if it has a bad smell
• You feel short of breath or have chest pain
• You have an underlying chronic illness, like heart