pulmonary disorders
Acute Bronchitis
Introduction
Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the tracheobronchial tree, commonly following an upper respiratory infection in the absence of chronic lung disorders. The cause is almost always a viral infection. The pathogen is rarely identified. The most common symptom is cough, with or without fever, and possibly sputum production. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings. Treatment is supportive; antibiotics are usually unnecessary. Prognosis is excellent. (See also Cough in Children .) Acute bronchitis is frequently a component of an upper respiratory infection (URI) caused by Common Cold , Acute inflammation of the tracheobronchial tree in patients with underlying chronic bronchial disorders (eg, Asthma , Acute cough in patients with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis should typically be considered an exacerbation of that disorder rather than simple acute bronchitis. 