Difference between bronchitis and pneumonia

Bronchitis and pneumonia are diseases of different degrees. Their symptoms may be similar, but it is important to make different between these diseases.

Bronchitis symptoms

Through the bronchial tubes, air travels from the trachea to the lungs. In case of bronchial tube inflammation, they swell up and make it more difficult for the air to enter and exit the lungs. Bronchitis is accompanied by a number of symptoms.

A distinction is made between chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis. The symptoms of both acute and chronic bronchitis are similar, but in the chronic form may not experience the symptoms such as fever and chills. Acute bronchitis usually disappears within a few weeks.

The most common sign of bronchitis is a sedulous cough. Bronchitis makes the movement of air into the lungs more difficult, lung tissue is often irritated and may produce more mucus than usual. Bronchitis can start with a dry annoying cough that soon develops into a big cough marathon, with a translucent, white, yellowish or even green sputum. Other symptoms of bronchitis may be sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath, discomfort in chest or wheezing. Patients with acute bronchitis may also have fever, chills, headache and muscle pain.

Pneumonia symptoms

Pneumonia is usually more dangerous than bronchitis and is caused by bacteria and viruses. In addition to the symptoms of bronchitis, people with pneumonia experience difficulties with breathing, chest pain, sweating, shivering over the body, nausea and vomiting.

Pneumonia comes more common with fever, cough with expectoration of sputum, weakness, shortness of breath, pain in one side of the chest and with shortness of breath in the lungs.

Acute pneumonia caused by bacteria is characterized by a sudden onset of chills, fever and pain in one side of the chest. Coming up with an agonizing dry cough, weakness and headaches.

Viral pneumonia can start with a creeping low cough, worsening weakness, increased sweating and low fever. Joint and muscle aches may also occur.

Difference between bronchitis and pneumonia

Bronchitis and pneumonia are both affecting lungs but are still different diseases. When bronchitis has an effect on the bronchial tubes, pneumonia causes inflammatory processes in the lung tissue, whereby small air sacs are filled with fluid as a result. Thus, in order to make difference between the two diseases, it is necessary to have the lungs x-rayed.

Bronchitis usually goes away on its own, but if your symptoms don’t want to go away or are very severe, visit your doctor. You should definitely seek immediate medical help for the symptoms of pneumonia.