Most people with bronchitis have a persistent, productive cough. Acute bronchitis is usually because of a virus or cold, is mild, and can be treated with over the counter medications. Occasionally more serious cases with high fever require antibiotics.
Chronic bronchitis is thought to be very common, predominantly among cigarette smokers.
A typical patient with chronic bronchitis is a man in his late forties or early fifties who has smoked at least one pack per day for at least twenty years. Symptoms vary, but people with chronic bronchitis tend to cough up gobs of gray sputum daily, complain of chest tightness or wheezing, and often have infections with worsening difficulty breathing and fever. Cigarette smoking should be stopped immediately. The best way to avoid chronic bronchitis is to stay away from cigarettes. Always consult your own doctor about any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.