Acute bronchitis is one of the most common respiratory illnesses. It is a condition where the bronchial tubes, the passages that transport air from the trachea to the lungs, become infected and inflamed. It differs from chronic bronchitis, which may last months or years and is due to a permanent respiratory disease like COPD or cystic fibrosis. The acute version normally lasts two to three weeks, though in rare cases, it may extend up to three months. Ninety-percent of cases are caused by a viral infection. This means antibiotic treatment is not effective against it.The main aim of treatment is to manage the symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. There are an estimated 14.2 million cases of it diagnosed every year in the United States. The economic impact of the sickness is considerable with $3.5 billion spent on hospitalizations for bronchitis. While most cases do not respond to antibiotics, there are still several important steps a person can take to prevent or reduce the severity of a case of bronchitis. This is why it's important to be aware of the eight signs common to bronchitis. This will help a person quickly recognize the onset of it and prevent the sickness from becoming serious.
