Which condition is characterized by chronic cough, phlegm production, and wheezing?

• A. Asthma
• B. Chronic bronchitis, often associated with smoking
• C. Allergic rhinitis
• D. Seasonal flu

Answer: (B)

Chronic bronchitis is defined by a long-standing productive cough with mucus production, often accompanied by wheezing. It typically develops in people with a history of smoking and is diagnosed when a productive cough lasts for at least 3 months in two consecutive years. The persistent mucus overproduction and airway inflammation cause coughing up phlegm, while the inflamed airways contribute to wheezing from narrowed passages. While asthma can also cause coughing and wheeze, the key clue here is the chronic production of phlegm rather than episodic airway hyperreactivity. Allergic rhinitis mainly involves nasal symptoms, and the seasonal flu is an acute illness with fever and systemic symptoms, not a chronic productive cough.