Acute bronchitis develops as a result of a respiratory infection such as the common cold. Frequent smokers often receive a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis. When a person has acute bronchitis they will have a persistent cough that lasts for several weeks. In chronic bronchitis, a person has a productive cough that lasts at least three months. Whether an individual has acute or chronic bronchitis, their symptoms may include tiredness, frequent cough, fever, sputum and chills.