What’s the difference between pneumonia and bronchitis?
Pneumonia and bronchitis both affect the respiratory system but involve different parts of the lungs. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes – the large airways that carry air into the lungs – often leading to a persistent cough and mucus production. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus, leading to difficulty breathing, fever and more severe symptoms.
What causes bronchitis?
Bronchitis is typically caused by a virus, like the one responsible for colds and the flu. It can also be caused by bacteria, although that’s not as common. Irritants like smoke or air pollution can also contribute to chronic bronchitis, particularly in people with asthma or a history of smoking.
What causes pneumonia?
Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, with bacterial pneumonia often being the most serious. Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcal disease, is the most common bacterial cause. Viral pneumonia is often caused by respiratory viruses and tends to be milder but can still be serious.
Symptoms
While both conditions may share symptoms like a cough, there are some key differences.
Bronchitis typically begins with a cough that produces mucus, a sore throat, fatigue and a low-grade fever. Coughing episodes can last for weeks as the airways remain irritated, even after the infection has passed.
Pneumonia symptoms can be more severe. People with pneumonia often experience high fever, chills, chest pain, difficulty breathing and a cough that may produce yellow or green mucus. Fatigue with pneumonia can be extreme.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can typically diagnose bronchitis or pneumonia by evaluating your symptoms, listening to your lungs and asking questions about your medical history. A physical exam and symptoms history is typically enough to identify bronchitis. If your doctor thinks it’s pneumonia, they may order a chest X-ray to see if there’s fluid in the lungs, along with blood tests to determine if the infection is bacterial or viral. If a bacterial infection is suspected in pneumonia cases, your doctor may collect a sample of mucus or order a sputum test. This can help determine the most effective antibiotic treatment if needed.
Treatment for bronchitis and pneumonia
Bronchitis
Most cases of bronchitis are viral, so antibiotics aren’t usually necessary. Instead, treatment for bronchitis is all about relieving symptoms. A few ways to do that is through plenty of rest, staying hydrated and using over-the-counter cough medicines. A humidifier or breathing in steam from a hot shower may help ease the cough and loosen mucus.
If bronchitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Chronic bronchitis, which is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), requires ongoing management and sometimes inhalers or other medications to help keep the airways open.
Pneumonia
Treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause of the infection and the severity of the symptoms. Bacterial pneumonia is often treated with antibiotics. However, viral pneumonia won’t respond to antibiotics so rest, hydration and sometimes antiviral medications are recommended.
When to see a doctor
Bronchitis
While mild cases of bronchitis often improve with rest and self-care, you should see a doctor if symptoms worsen or last longer than three weeks. If you have a high fever, shortness of breath or chest pain, it’s important to get medical help right away, as these could indicate pneumonia or another more serious condition.
Pneumonia
For pneumonia, it’s important to seek medical help if you experience any of the following:
- Difficulty or rapid breathing
- Persistent high fever or chills
- Sharp chest pain, especially when taking a deep breath
- Confusion or dizziness
Next steps
Both bronchitis and pneumonia can be serious, especially for people with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems. If you’re feeling sick with respiratory symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor. If you don’t have one, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group has many providers to fit your needs. Many are currently accepting new patients and offer same- and next-day appointments.