What is the difference between acute and bacterial bronchitis?

Answer 1

Acute Asthma, also known as allergic asthma, is triggered by allergens (dust mite feces, pollen, etc...) activating mast cells located beneath the mucosa of the lower airways of respiratory tract. Activation of mast cells triggers release of granules that stimulate the nasal epithelium to produce mucus and subsequent contraction of smooth muscle within the airway. This contraction of smooth muscle constricts the airway, causing the characteristic asthmatic wheezing.

Chronic asthma is not caused by allergens, but rather a result of the inflammation obtained from acute asthma. The overall effects of acute asthma causes chronic inflammation, which causes the mucosal epithelium to become hypersensitive to environmental responses. So simple environmental agents, such as smoke, can stimulate the hypersensitive epithelium to produce large amounts of mucous and constrict.

Answer 2

Anything that is called "acute" has sudden onset and/or short duration. Anything that is called "chronic" usually has slow onset and has long duration.

Acute bronchitis is characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms and will go away.

Chronic bronchitis is continuous with the symptoms never completely go away, though they may decrease and increase throughout a person's lifetime

Answer 3

Acute bronchitis develops as a result of a respiratory infection such as the common cold. Frequent smokers often receive a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis. When a person has acute bronchitis they will have a persistent cough that lasts for several weeks. In chronic bronchitis, a person has a productive cough that lasts at least three months. Whether an individual has acute or chronic bronchitis, their symptoms may include tiredness, frequent cough, fever, sputum and chills.