Symptoms:

Infectious bronchitis generally begins with the symptoms of a common cold: runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, and chilliness. Back and muscle aches together with a slight fever (100° to 101° F, or 37.5° to 38° Celsius C) may be present, particularly if the infection is due to influenza. The onset of cough (usually dry at first) signals the beginning of acute bronchitis. With viral bronchitis, small amounts of white mucus are often coughed up. This mucus often changes from white to green or yellow. The color change does not mean there is a bacterial infection. Color change means only that cells associated with inflammation have moved into the airway and are coloring the sputum.

With severe bronchitis, fever may be slightly higher at 101° to 102° F (38° to 39° C) and may last for 3 to 5 days, but higher fevers are unusual unless bronchitis is caused by influenza. Cough is the last symptom to subside and often takes several weeks or even longer to do so. Viruses can damage the epithelial cells lining the bronchi, and the body needs time to repair the damage. Airway hyperreactivity, which is a short-term narrowing of the airways with impairment or limitation of the amount of air flowing into and out of the lungs, is common with acute bronchitis. The impairment of airflow may be triggered by common exposures, such as inhaling mild irritants (for example, perfume, strong odors, or exhaust fumes) or cold air. If the impairment of airflow is severe, the person may be short of breath. Wheezing, especially after coughing, is common.