Bronchitis is classified into two types: 
1.    Acute Bronchitis It usually develops rapidly, and the patient feels better after two to three weeks; most healthy people who get acute bronchitis usually recover without the appearance of any complications. 
2.    Chronic Bronchitis It is a disease that recurs and lasts for a relatively long period, especially among smokers; chronic bronchitis is when the patient suffers from a cough accompanied by sputum on most days during three months or more a year for two consecutive years. Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis The most common symptom accompanying bronchitis is a cough that is dry at first, and after a few days becomes accompanied by sputum, and the patient may feel a decrease in their body temperature as well as fatigue. The symptoms that accompany acute bronchitis usually begin three to four days after the onset of the inflammation; most people feel better after two to three weeks, however, some people may suffer from a cough for a period exceeding four weeks. Pneumonia may be accompanied by symptoms similar to those of acute bronchitis, and given that pneumonia is a serious and dangerous disease, it is important to know the differences between the two diseases; symptoms of pneumonia include a sharp rise in temperature, chills, coldness, and shortness of breath. Causes and Risk Factors of Acute Bronchitis Bronchitis usually occurs due to a viral infection; most people get bronchitis after having an upper respiratory tract infection such as a cold or the flu, and in rare cases, especially acute bronchitis, the cause may be a bacterial infection. Bronchitis may also occur due to inhaling foreign substances into the lungs such as: smoke, or inflammation caused by food or vomit entering the lungs. Complications of Acute Bronchitis Complications of acute bronchitis are rare but include: 
•    Respiratory tract infection such as viral or bacterial pneumonia. 
•    Chronic bronchitis. 
•    Asthma. 
•    Sinusitis. 
Also, depending on the pathogen, complications include other infectious lung diseases such as: 
•    Tuberculosis. 
•    Whooping cough. 
•    Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 
Diagnosis of Acute Bronchitis The treating doctor inquires about the symptoms the patient is suffering from and then performs a physical examination; this procedure is generally sufficient to provide all the necessary information to diagnose whether the condition is indeed acute bronchitis or not. In some cases, the doctor may request an X-ray of the chest area to rule out the presence of pneumonia or another pulmonary problem. Treatment of Acute Bronchitis Most people can receive treatment for the symptoms that accompany bronchitis at home; the patient must drink an adequate amount of fluids and can take over-the-counter medications along with an expectorant medication, but a doctor must be consulted because it is not suitable for all patients, as this medication helps to expel the sputum accumulated in the lungs through coughing; lozenges can also be used for coughing or to soothe a dry and sore throat. It is true that cough drops or syrups cannot stop it completely, but they can improve the feeling in the throat; the majority of people do not need antibiotics to treat bronchitis. If the bronchitis patient suffers from heart or lung diseases such as: heart failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or asthma, they should consult a doctor, because they may then need additional treatment. Prevention of Acute Bronchitis To prevent acute bronchitis, the following can be observed: 
•    Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 
•    Keep hand sanitizer near you in case soap and water are not available. 
•    Stay up to date with all vaccines, including the flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine if you are over 65 years old or at high risk. 
•    Cover your mouth when coughing and stay home when sick. 
•    Avoid smoking or exposure to other irritants which can make acute bronchitis worse.