Bronchitis Symptoms: What You Need to Know

Bronchitis is a common condition that involves inflammation and irritation of the airways in your lungs. Our providers frequently help patients manage and recover from bronchitis, ensuring a comprehensive approach to respiratory health.

The most common symptoms of bronchitis include a persistent cough, often producing mucus that may be clear, white, yellowish, or green. Patients may also experience chest discomfort or a feeling of tightness, sometimes with mild pain when coughing or taking a deep breath. Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, is also typical, as inflamed airways can make it harder to breathe easily.

Other frequent symptoms include fatigue—since your body is working hard to fight the infection or irritation—and sometimes a mild fever and chills, especially with acute bronchitis. Wheezing, or a whistling sound during breathing, can also occur due to narrowed air passages.

Our experienced healthcare team is dedicated to helping you find relief from bronchitis symptoms. If your cough lasts more than a few weeks, worsens over time, or if you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or high fever, it’s important to schedule an appointment. Our providers can perform a thorough evaluation, offer diagnostic testing if needed, and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you recover and prevent complications.

At MedBridge, we understand that distinguishing between a common cold and bronchitis can be difficult, as both conditions often present with similar symptoms like coughing, sore throat, and congestion. However, identifying the differences is crucial for effective treatment and a faster recovery.

Common Cold:

A typical cold usually starts with a scratchy or sore throat, followed by a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, mild fatigue, and sometimes a low-grade fever. The cough associated with a cold is generally mild and may be dry or produce only a small amount of clear mucus. Most cold symptoms improve within 7–10 days.

Bronchitis:

Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes carrying air to your lungs become inflamed, often after a cold or respiratory infection. The primary symptom is a persistent cough that lasts for days or even weeks and usually produces thick yellow or green mucus. Other symptoms may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, wheezing, and a low-grade fever. The cough with bronchitis is typically deeper and more productive than that of a cold.

Our experienced healthcare professionals are here to help you navigate respiratory illnesses. We offer thorough evaluations, personalized treatment plans, and support every step of the way.

Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes—the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs—become inflamed. This inflammation is most often triggered by infections, particularly viruses such as those responsible for the common cold and influenza. When viruses attack the lining of the bronchial tubes, your body responds with inflammation, swelling, and increased mucus production, which leads to the hallmark cough of bronchitis.

While viral infections are the most common cause, bronchitis can sometimes result from bacterial infections or from exposure to environmental irritants like tobacco smoke, air pollution, dust, and chemical fumes. These irritants are particularly significant for people who smoke; smoking damages the cilia in the airways, making it harder to clear out mucus and pathogens. As a result, smokers face a much higher risk for both acute and chronic bronchitis.

Other risk factors include weakened immune systems—such as in individuals with ongoing health conditions or the elderly—and pre-existing lung diseases like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If acute bronchitis occurs repeatedly, or if a person is exposed to airway irritants over a long period, it can develop into chronic bronchitis, defined by a productive cough lasting at least three months over two consecutive years.

How MedBridge Supports Patients with Bronchitis

Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients experiencing bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. Our approach includes:

Accurate Diagnosis: Using the latest diagnostic tools, we differentiate between viral and bacterial causes to ensure appropriate treatment.

Personalized Treatment Plans: Whether you need medication, inhalers, or supportive therapies, we tailor treatment to your specific needs and health history.

Education and Prevention: Through patient education, we help you recognize early symptoms, avoid environmental triggers, and understand strategies to strengthen your immune system.

Management of Chronic Conditions: For individuals with chronic bronchitis, asthma, or COPD, we provide ongoing management and support to optimize lung function and enhance quality of life.

If you are experiencing symptoms of bronchitis or have concerns about your respiratory health, contact us today. Our skilled clinicians are here to help you breathe easier and stay healthy.

We understand that bronchitis is a common respiratory condition that affects many of our patients. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis, and our healthcare team is dedicated to helping you identify, manage, and recover from both.

Acute bronchitis is a short-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often caused by viral infections such as the cold or flu. Patients typically experience symptoms like cough, mucus production, mild fever, and chest discomfort. We provide thorough evaluations to distinguish acute bronchitis from other respiratory issues and offer tailored treatment plans to help you recover quickly, while also advising on symptom relief and preventing complications.

Chronic bronchitis is a more persistent condition and is classified under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is characterized by a productive cough lasting at least three months for two consecutive years. Common in individuals with a history of smoking or long-term exposure to lung irritants, chronic bronchitis requires ongoing management. Our team specializes in diagnosing and managing chronic bronchitis and COPD. We offer comprehensive care, including pulmonary function testing, medication management, smoking cessation programs, and patient education to slow disease progression and improve quality of life.

Both types of bronchitis involve inflammation of the airways, but they differ in their causes, duration, and impact on long-term lung health. If you are experiencing a persistent cough or breathing difficulties, schedule an appointment. Our healthcare professionals are here to provide accurate diagnoses and create a personalized treatment plan to support your respiratory health.

When you visit Dr. Sanjay Bharti, MD, at MedBridge WV in Fairmont, the first thing he addresses is your cough—the core symptom of bronchitis. Dr. Bharti knows that this cough is often persistent and may produce mucus that is clear, white, yellow, or green. He focuses on distinguishing this from a typical cold cough, providing the clarity you need for effective treatment.

If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms or have concerns about your cough, schedule an appointment with our team. Together, we’ll help you breathe easier and recover faster. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment today. We have three convenient locations in Fairmont, Kingwood, and Mannington WV. We serve patients from Fairmont WV, Mannington WV, Kingwood WV, White Hall WV, Pleasant Valley WV, Monongah WV, Barrackville WV, Metz WV, Terra Alta WV, Anderson WV, and surrounding areas.