What best describes bronchitis?

Bronchitis is primarily characterized as an inflammation of the lining of the airways, which are the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. This inflammation often leads to increased mucus production, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. The condition can be acute, often following a viral infection, or chronic, typically associated with long-term exposure to irritants such as tobacco smoke or air pollution.

The other options describe different respiratory conditions. Fluid accumulation in the lungs more accurately describes pulmonary edema, which is not specific to bronchitis. An infection that causes alveoli swelling pertains more to pneumonia, which affects the air sacs themselves rather than the airways. Lastly, a form of acute asthma attack involves bronchoconstriction and airway hyperreactivity, which can be influenced but is not synonymous with bronchitis. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in recognizing the unique features and implications of bronchitis in the context of respiratory illnesses.