The difference between Bronchitis and Pneumonia

December 31 04:54 2022 by admin Print This Article

Overview

Bronchitis and Pneumonia are lung conditions that show similar symptoms which is why they are often mistaken for each other. However, there are clear differences which will eventually emerge in a few days. Bronchitis is rarely fatal while Pneumonia can be life-threatening. That is why, it is important to take any breathing disorder or difficulty seriously and consult a doctor immediately. Only a doctor is qualified to say what the exact condition is. In this article, we will examine how to tell the 2 conditions apart

Bronchitis in brief

The trachea or the wind-pipe branches into two tubes called bronchii, one each in both lungs. The bronchii in turn branch into multiple, smaller branches called bronchioles before terminating in the alveoli or air-sacs. The bronchii and bronchioles are the air-carrying pipes in the lungs. Bronchitis is a condition in which a virus infection causes inflammation in the bronchioles. As the tubes get inflamed, they swell and fill up with pus or fluid, which hugely hinders breathing.  As a natural reaction of the body, the person coughs repeatedly in order to clear the tubes. The person also expels yellow-green phlegm from the lungs.

Again, there are 2 types of Bronchitis:

• Acute: Short-term condition with severe symptoms. Caused by a virus, lasts 2 weeks, and is contagious. Spreads through droplet infection and fomite contamination (similar to Covid-19)
• Chronic: Long-term condition with mild to moderate symptoms. Caused by respiratory infections or irritants in the air. Can last up to 3 months and is rarely contagious.

Pneumonia in brief

We have covered Pneumonia in depth in earlier articles. Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation in the alveoli which are tiny air-sacs in the lung that help in gas-exchange. The alveoli swell and fill up with mucous which hugely hinders breathing.  Here too, the person coughs repeatedly and expels yellow, green or blood-tinted mucous. Other complications include fluid accumulation in the lungs and a cavity in the lungs that is filled with pus (condition called as lung abscess). Like Bronchitis and Covid-19, Pneumonia also spreads through droplet infection and fomite contamination.

Similarities and differences between the two

Causes

Symptoms

Common symptoms between the two conditions include coughing with or without mucous, mucous that is yellow-green in color, fever and chills. Unique symptoms are as below:

Diagnosis

When it comes to diagnosis, there are no differences between the two conditions and the same methods are used for both. This includes:

• Using a stethoscope to listen to the breathing: This is the first step always. Any rattling, whistling, bubbling or crackling sounds are signs of either bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Sputum culture: A sample of the phlegm coughed up by the person is examined under the microscope for specific pathogens.
• Chest X-ray: Chest X-ray will help doctor see where the infection is in the lungs, which will help pinpoint whether it’s bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Pulse oximetry: A pulse oximeter is clipped to the forefinger of either hand, and the oxygen level in the blood measured. A low count indicates either bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Spirometry: One of the prominent tests for lung function. Here, the person blows forcefully into a device called a spirometer. How forcefully or quickly the person can blow will indicate how much lungs the air can hold. A good result indicates the absence of either bronchitis or pneumonia. A bad result indicates either of them is present.

Treatment

NOTE: Take medications only when prescribed by your doctors, self-medication must be avoided under any circumstances.

Reviewed by Dr Suresh S Venkita, Group Medical Director, Kauvery Hospitals

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

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