What’s the difference between the common cold and a chest cold?

What’s the difference between the common cold and a chest cold?

A chest cold, or acute (short-term) bronchitis, causes irritation and a buildup of mucus (snot) in the lungs. Common colds turn into chest colds when the virus travels from the nose and throat to the lungs. Occasionally, bacteria cause chest colds.

You can have a cough with a common cold or a chest cold. But chest colds produce a wet cough, meaning you may feel or cough up phlegm. You may also have:

• A cough that keeps you up all night.
• Shortness of breath.
• A sore chest.