Bronchitis is a respiratory infection that can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is caused by viruses, the same that cause colds or flu, while chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is due to smoking. Symptoms may include: cough, mucus, fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, chills and chest discomfort.
Furthermore, acute bronchitis shares some symptoms with cold such as body aches and headaches. These symptoms usually improve in about a week, but it is possible to have a remaining cough for several weeks. Chronic bronchitis lasts some months and can come back during the following two years.