What is a common symptom associated with acute bronchitis?

A persistent cough is indeed a hallmark symptom of acute bronchitis. This cough typically develops following an upper respiratory tract infection, often viral in nature. When the bronchi are inflamed, this inflammation leads to increased mucus production, resulting in the characteristic cough that may be dry at first but can later become productive as the body tries to clear secretions.

While chest pain, wheezing, and shortness of breath can also occur in patients with acute bronchitis, they are not as universally prevalent or as defining of the condition as a persistent cough. Chest pain may arise due to coughing and muscle strain but is not a primary symptom. Wheezing is more commonly associated with conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and isn't always present in acute bronchitis. Similarly, shortness of breath can occur, especially if significant mucus production leads to airway obstruction, but it is generally less pronounced as a symptom compared to the persistent cough that characterizes the condition.