Most acute bronchitis cases in adults are due to what etiology?

Most acute bronchitis cases in adults are due to what etiology?

• A. Parasitic
• B. Fungal
• C. Bacterial
• D. Viral

Answer: (D)

Most acute bronchitis in adults is viral in origin. Viral infections such as rhinovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, and RSV commonly inflame the bronchial mucosa, leading to a cough that can last days to weeks. Because these illnesses are self-limited, antibiotics do not improve outcomes for uncomplicated cases, so management focuses on supportive care. Bacterial bronchitis is much less common; when a bacterial process is suspected—such as signs suggesting pneumonia or a cough outlasting a typical viral course—evaluation and targeted treatment are considered. Parasitic or fungal causes are rare in otherwise healthy adults.

Most acute bronchitis in adults is viral in origin. Viral infections such as rhinovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, and RSV commonly inflame the bronchial mucosa, leading to a cough that can last days to weeks. Because these illnesses are self-limited, antibiotics do not improve outcomes for uncomplicated cases, so management focuses on supportive care. Bacterial bronchitis is much less common; when a bacterial process is suspected—such as signs suggesting pneumonia or a cough outlasting a typical viral course—evaluation and targeted treatment are considered. Parasitic or fungal causes are rare in otherwise healthy adults.