Could Mild Emphysema Be Due To Persistent Cold?

My husband went to the dr. for a stubborn cold…..The dr. took chest x-ray and called afterwards and said there was no pneumonia in his lungs but that he had mild emphysema and to come back in a week….he sent him home with steroids and the works for a bad cold…..what do you think he meant by mild emphysema…..like forever or while he has this bronchitis?