Acute bronchitis, also known as a
chest cold, is short-term
inflammation of the
bronchi (large and medium-sized airways) of the
lungs. The most common symptom is a
cough. Other symptoms include
coughing up mucus,
wheezing,
shortness of breath,
fever, and chest discomfort. The infection may last from a few to ten days. The cough may persist for several weeks afterwards with the total duration of symptoms usually around three weeks. Some have symptoms for up to six weeks.