4. Chronic Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a bacterial infection of the lungs, similar to pneumonia. However, most people get over the symptoms of the disease in a few short days, and early diagnosis coupled with the right treatment means the patient typically recovers from the condition in as little as a week after diagnosis.
Bronchitis inflames the bronchial tubes, filling them with mucus. The overproduction of mucus in the lungs leads to a wheezing sound during breathing and an irritating cough that produces phlegm. In most cases, bronchial phlegm is clear. However, in bacterial infections, mucus may appear to contain brown or green flecks.
Cigarette smokers can develop a chronic form of bronchitis that leads to a hacking cough that won’t go away. If left untreated, the bacteria start to multiply, and chronic bronchitis can develop into pneumonia. If you think you’ve contracted bronchitis, its best to seek medical assistance as soon as possible, and begin your treatment right away, to prevent the progression of the condition into pneumonia.