Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis is not necessarily caused by infection and is generally part of a syndrome called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Acute bronchitis can lead to phnemonia and that can kill you. COPD can kill you as well.
I am battling Bronchitis and a Sinus Inffection at the moment and I can agree with you that it does suck! Took my doctor over a week to finally perscribed me some drugs that will work so the past 6 days have been torture.