An acute case of bronchitis is not fun to deal with. When you get bronchitis, the lining of the bronchial tubes becomes inflamed and swollen. The airways in your lungs get narrow and this causes a cough that can last for weeks. Bronchitis is caused by a virus, bacteria, or something in the air you breathe. It usually goes away in one to three weeks. Bronchitis affects around 2.5 million people in the United States each year and almost 80 percent of cases need antibiotic treatment.
- Cough that lasts up to a few weeks
- Tightness or soreness in the chest
- Mucus that is white, clear, yellow, or green, and may have some blood
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Watery eyes
- Mild headache and/or body aches
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chills