Bronchitis is an inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs and is defined as a lower respiratory tract infection.
Two types of Bronchitis exist, acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis has a prevalence of 3.5 % in the French general population aged ›= 45 and is an indicator of an increased risk of devoloping chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is developed in COPD part.
Acute bronchitis is characterized by the development of a cough and mucus most oftenly caused by viral infection of the epithelium of the bronchi. It results in an inflammation and increased secretion of mucus.
Almost 5 % of the general population develops acute bronchitis annualy in the US, with the highest incidence during the fall and winter months. Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection (90 %) and sometimes, a bacterial infection (10%).
| The different Bronchitis | |
| Acute | Lasts under 21 days |
| Chronic | When at least 3 months per year in two consecutive years |
| Main pathogens involved in Bronchitis | |
| Viruses | Coronavirus, Rhinovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Adenovirus, Influenza Virus, Para-influenza Virus |
| Bacteria | Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis. |
The most common pathogens responsible for acute Bronchitis