However, there are key differences between these infections that you need to know about. If you have ever been diagnosed with either one or know someone who has, you’ll want to know how they differ.
Understanding Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the airways that lead to the lungs. It can occur after a viral illness such as the common cold or flu or occasionally it can develop on its own. Typically bronchitis is viral, meaning that antibiotics are not helpful in treating it.
Symptoms of bronchitis include:
Persistent cough (with or without mucus) Sore throat Chest pain (worse with cough) Chest congestion Wheezing Shortness of breath Chills Body aches
Acute bronchitis can resolve on its own within about a week but the cough may linger for weeks or even months.
Acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, so antibiotics are rarely prescribed. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and using them to treat a viral infection only leads to antibiotic resistance.
Occasionally, bronchitis is caused by a bacteria and if your healthcare provider believes this is the case, she may prescribe antibiotics to treat it at that time. More often, however, treating acute bronchitis simply means finding relief from the symptoms until the illness resolves.
You may find over-the-counter (OTC) medications helpful and you should try to rest as much as possible and increase your fluid intake as well. And although acute bronchitis is bothersome, it is typically not as severe as pneumonia.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. People with pneumonia typically feel much worse than a person with bronchitis would. Although both illnesses can cause a painful cough, pneumonia causes other significant symptoms as well.
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Symptoms of pneumonia may include:
Fever Chest pain Productive cough (may be described as a “moist” or “wet” cough) Painful and frequent cough Shortness of breath Headache Fatigue Chills
There are many types of pneumonia and some are more serious than others. The most common type of pneumonia in adults is bacterial pneumonia. It can cause severe illness and is a leading cause of death among Americans.
Treatment for pneumonia will depend on the cause but if you have bacterial pneumonia, you will almost always need to be treated with antibiotics. Other over the counter medications may be helpful to deal with the symptoms as well but talk with your healthcare provider about which options are right for you.
Getting adequate rest is essential when you have pneumonia. It is a serious illness that takes time to heal and recover from.
There are less severe forms of pneumonia—like walking pneumonia—that come with milder symptoms and don’t always need to be treated with antibiotics. Your healthcare provider will determine what type of pneumonia you have based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and tests.
Chronic Bronchitis vs. COPD
A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is another issue entirely when compared to chronic bronchitis. A COPD exacerbation is simply an acute worsening of the symptoms of COPD, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, mucus production, or coughing.
Depending on the kind of COPD a person has (emphysema or chronic bronchitis), these symptoms may be slightly different.
A COPD exacerbation may be caused by an infection (virus, bacteria, or other kinds of pneumonia), but it may also be caused by non-infectious causes such as fumes, irritants, or smoke.
The treatment for an acute COPD exacerbation is often steroids, inhalers, and antibiotics (because bacterial infections often develop during an acute COPD exacerbation).
If you have chronic bronchitis or COPD and experience worsening of your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. They will be able to determine the correct treatment for you.
A Word From Verywell
Although bronchitis and pneumonia both cause coughs and can develop after more common illnesses such as the common cold or flu, they are significantly different. Only your healthcare provider can diagnose your illness and determine which treatment is right for you.
If you have a lingering cough or any of the other symptoms listed above, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider and get some answers to relieve your stress and, more importantly, your symptoms.
