J20: Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis refers to a group of conditions that involve the inflammation of the bronchi, the large air passages that lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs. It's commonly caused by viral infections, such as a cold or flu virus, but it can also be triggered by bacterial infections or exposure to substances that irritate the lungs, like tobacco smoke. Infected individuals often experience symptoms such as a cough, which may produce clear, yellow or green mucus, fatigue, mild fever, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath. These symptoms usually appear a few days after a respiratory infection and may persist for several weeks. Although acute bronchitis primarily affects the respiratory system, the body-wide response to infection can also result in generalized discomfort. The progression of the disease usually sees symptoms peak in severity and then gradually lessen over a period of two to three weeks.