Bronchitis is a condition in which you can have an illness that is both infectious and one that is noninfectious. In most cases, it is a virus that causes bronchitis to happen. This virus is generally the same type that causes a common cold to happen in most people.

On the other hand, bronchitis can also be a condition that is caused by the pollutants in the air that you breathe including from cigarette smoke. Smog and chemicals that are used to clean
with are additional causes for bronchitis.

Another cause of bronchitis happens because of the acids that are normally found in your
stomach backing up, literally, up into your gastro esophageal track. This is sometimes called
GERD, or gastro esophageal reflux disease.

Some people that work in conditions that are not favorable for good, clean breathing also develop bronchitis. This type of bronchitis is known as an occupational bronchitis in which case the pollutants including dusts and/or fumes get into the breathing airways and cause illness. Usually, when the person stops working there, or improves the breathing circumstances, their
bronchitis symptoms also improve and often the irritation will stop.

The causes of chronic bronchitis are often a bit more drastic. If you have this condition, the walls of your bronchial tubes have become thickened and they are inflamed to such a degree that it is
considered nearly permanent. When this happens, chronic bronchitis is evident.

Most with this condition must cough at least some time during each day to clear their throat.
This is especially true of those that have chronic bronchitis due to their smoking habits. If you have to cough at least one time every day for at least three months of the year, you are considered to have chronic bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is often caused by smoking, but its not the only time that you can get it. You can also get chronic bronchitis from air pollution that is severe or toxic gasses that are in the area in which you work.