Symptoms:

The classic symptoms of bronchitis may be like those of a cold. You may have a tickle in the back of your throat, which leads to a dry, irritating cough. As the infection gets worse, you may cough up thick, yellow mucus that may (rarely) be streaked with blood.

Sometimes the symptoms of bronchitis do not appear until the viral infection has gone away. Then another, bacterial infection causes the coughing symptoms of bronchitis.

The symptoms of bronchitis include:

• Cough
  • Stays steady or gets worse for 10 days - 2 weeks
  • Gets worse at night
  • Starts out dry and irritating, but becomes increasingly loose over time
  • Has mucus in it (younger kids usually can't cough this up; they swallow it)
  • Has blood in it (in rare cases); see a doctor if this happens
  • Lasts for less than 6-8 weeks
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• "Rattle" sensation in chest
• General ill feeling (malaise)
• Slight fever
• Tickle feeling in back of throat that leads to soreness
• Chest pain, soreness, and tightness in the chest
• Poor sleep
• Chills (uncommon)

Whooping cough and sinusitis may cause bronchitis-like symptoms. See your health care provider for a correct diagnosis.

Signs and tests:

Your doctor can diagnose acute bronchitis by reviewing your current health and medical history. A physical exam and chest x-ray can help rule out pneumonia.