Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia: How to Tell the Difference

Breathing freely is something you take for granted until you encounter breathing difficulties. Then it becomes hard to focus on anything else. Bronchitis and pneumonia are two common causes of breathing problems, and it isn’t always easy to identify which condition is causing your symptoms. 

Michael N. Newton, MD, and our team are here to help, offering accurate and timely diagnostic and treatment services for bronchitis, pneumonia, and a range of other pulmonary health conditions that can stand in the way of easy breathing. 

The difference between bronchitis and pneumonia

Both conditions begin with infection. The resulting swelling is a primary cause of your symptoms. 

In the case of bronchitis, the infection is found in your bronchial tubes, which are the large tubes that allow air to flow from your trachea into your lungs. Pneumonia is characterized by an infection in your alveoli, which are the tiny air sacs within your lungs. 

Viruses and bacteria are common causes of both bronchitis and pneumonia. In the case of pneumonia, fungal infections are another potential cause, as is aspiration, or accidentally breathing in small particles of food, stomach contents, or toxins. 

Common signs of both bronchitis and pneumonia

Both conditions can leave you feeling as though you can’t take deep, refreshing breaths. Coughing is a common sign of bronchitis and pneumonia, as are shortness of breath and a sensation of tightness or discomfort in your chest. 

It doesn’t take long for you to begin to feel run down and overly tired. After all, your body and brain rely on a steady stream of oxygen to function properly, and the inflammation that both bronchitis and pneumonia bring on can impede normal breathing. 

Because the same viruses that cause colds and the flu can also lead to bronchitis and pneumonia, some people assume that their breathing troubles are just part of weathering a bout of illness.

Spotting the difference between pneumonia and bronchitis

The easiest way to tell whether your symptoms are the result of bronchitis or pneumonia is to understand that bronchitis symptoms are largely limited to breathing. Pneumonia, on the other hand, often brings breathing challenges along with one or more of the following:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Chills

The next time you or someone you love is faced with cough and congestion, take a moment to assess whether your respiratory system is the only affected area. That can be key to understanding whether you have bronchitis or pneumonia. 

When to reach out for help

Many respiratory infections clear up on their own after a few days of self care. But if your breathing is significantly impaired, or if your symptoms persist for more than a few days, it might be time to seek professional treatment. 

We’re always here to help. With state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, combined with extensive experience in pulmonary health, we work to get to the bottom of your symptoms as quickly as possible. 

The next step is exploring treatments that can help you breathe easier and get back on your feet swiftly. Scheduling an appointment is fast and easy. Call our Tampa, Florida, office or reach out to us online.