Which statement best describes acute bronchitis?

• A. Infection typically bacterial with radiographic consolidation
• B. Inflammation of the bronchi usually viral; cough with or without production; chest X-ray normal
• C. Pneumonia with lobar consolidation
• D. Asthma exacerbation presenting with wheeze only

Answer: (B)

Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi most often caused by a viral infection. The hallmark is a cough that may be productive or nonproductive and lasts for days to weeks. A key feature is a normal chest X-ray, because there is no focal airspace consolidation as seen with pneumonia. This distinction helps separate acute bronchitis from pneumonia, which would typically show lobar or focal consolidation on imaging. Wheezing can occur from bronchial irritation, but the essential concept is a viral inflammatory process of the bronchi with a persistent cough and a normal radiograph. Antibiotics are not routinely indicated unless there are other reasons to suspect a bacterial infection.