What is a common viral cause of acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is primarily caused by viral infections, and one of the most common viral pathogens responsible for this condition is Influenza A. This virus can lead to inflammation of the bronchial tubes, resulting in symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and mucus production, which are characteristic of bronchitis. The illness typically follows an upper respiratory tract infection, which the Influenza virus often triggers.

While other viruses, including the rhinovirus, can also cause acute bronchitis, Influenza A is particularly notable due to its potential to cause more severe respiratory symptoms and is commonly highlighted in discussions of acute bronchitis. Bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and atypical bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumoniae are less involved with acute bronchitis specifically, as acute bronchitis is most often viral in origin rather than bacterial.