In chronic bronchitis, what is the primary symptom?

In chronic bronchitis, the primary symptom is chronic cough with sputum production. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which leads to excessive mucus production. The cough is typically persistent and can be productive, meaning that it brings up mucus or phlegm. Patients often experience this symptom for at least three months in two consecutive years, which is part of the diagnostic criteria.

The presence of sputum is a key feature that distinguishes chronic bronchitis from other respiratory conditions, where cough may occur without significant sputum production. The cough serves as the body's response to clear the airways of mucus, which is a common complication of the chronic inflammation that defines this disease.

Although shortness of breath and wheezing can also occur in chronic bronchitis, they are not considered the primary or most defining symptoms of the condition, with wheezing often being more associated with asthma or other obstructive lung diseases. Chest pain can arise due to the strain of coughing or other factors, but it is not a characteristic symptom of chronic bronchitis. Thus, the hallmark symptom of chronic bronchitis remains the chronic cough accompanied by sputum production.