Acute bronchitis : Symptoms and causes

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Aug 20, 2026

Introduction

Bronchial tubes are the tubes that are responsible for carrying air to the lungs. Bronchitis is a condition that causes the inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Acute bronchitis is a contagious viral infection that causes the same. Once these tubes are infected, they start swelling and mucus starts forming inside them. As a result of that, the airways become narrow, which critically hampers breathing. Therefore, any individual suffering from bronchitis will start experiencing rapid breathing problems. There is another type of bronchitis called chronic bronchitis which mainly happens because of frequent irritation caused by lifestyle factors like smoking. However, both the types of bronchitis can be dangerous.

What are the primary symptoms of acute bronchitis?

Some of the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis include

• Chest congestion
• Chest tightness
• Yellow or green mucus
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Wheezing
• Body aches
• Chills
• Sore throat

What actually causes acute bronchitis?

A certain type of contagious virus causes bronchitis mainly. It all starts by affecting an individual’s nose, throat and sinuses and then it reaches the bronchial tubes. When the natural immune system of the body keeps fighting against the virus, mucus is produced and breathing gets hampered. Some of the other causes of acute bronchitis include

• Fungal or bacterial infection
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease that leads to heartburn. If the stomach acid somehow reaches the bronchial tubes then it may also lead to acute bronchitis.
• Exposure to fumes, smoke or dust may also lead to acute bronchitis.

The bottom line

The first thing to do to reduce your chances of facing this disease is to quit smoking, because smoking causes damage to your bronchial tubes and makes you more vulnerable to this condition. If you work with lung irritants for occupational purposes, don’t forget to wear a mask. Maintaining proper hygiene is also important because that’s the most effective way to avoid exposure to germs. Wash your hands every time you come back home from the outside. You may consult a medical expert to know more about the precautionary measures you can take.