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Bronchitis

Condition Overview:

Bronchitis is inflammation of the large airways that branch off the trachea (bronchi), usually caused by infection but sometimes caused by irritation from a gas or particle.

Acute bronchitis can be caused by infection or by exposure to irritants.Infectious bronchitis occurs most often during the winter and is most often caused by viruses. Even after a viral infection has resolved, the irritation it causes can continue to cause symptoms for weeks. Infectious bronchitis may also be caused by bacteria, and it often follows an upper respiratory viral infection. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae often cause bacterial bronchitis in young adults. Among middle-aged and older people, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are the most common organisms causing bacterial bronchitis. Viral bronchitis may be caused by a number of common viruses, including the influenza virus. A person often has a combination of bacterial and viral bronchitis.

Smokers and people who have chronic lung diseases may have repeated attacks of acute bronchitis because mucus is less able to drain from their airways. Malnutrition increases the risk of upper respiratory tract infections and subsequent acute bronchitis, especially in children and older people. Chronic sinus infection, bronchiectasis (see Bronchiectasis), and allergies also increase the risk of repeated episodes of acute bronchitis. Children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids may have repeated episodes of bronchitis.

Irritative bronchitis (also called industrial or environmental bronchitis) may be caused by exposure to various mineral and vegetable dusts. Exposure to fumes from strong acids, ammonia, some organic solvents, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and bromine can also cause irritative bronchitis.