Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes that connect the trachea to the lungs. It can be acute (lasting less than 3 weeks) or chronic. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses and causes a cough with mucus, while chronic bronchitis is often caused by long-term smoking and causes daily cough and congestion. Symptoms include cough, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and quitting smoking can help prevent chronic bronchitis.