Bronchitis causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Bronchitis Main page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Acute bronchitis Chronic bronchitis
Differential Diagnosis

Overview

Bronchitis can be caused by different sources for instance, air pollutant, allergies and Infections with these agents like (Respiratory syncytial (sin-SIH-shull)virus (RSV), Adenovirus, Influenza, Parainfluenza

Causes

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.

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.

Chronic bronchitis is one type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short. (Emphysema is another type of COPD.

The following things can make bronchitis worse:

• Air pollution (Pollutants (airborne chemicals or irritants))
• Allergies
• Certain occupations (such as coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling)
• Infections (Respiratory syncytial (sin-SIH-shull)virus (RSV), Adenovirus, Influenza, Parainfluenza)