Do I Have Bronchitis or Pneumonia?

If you have a respiratory infection, you may wonder how to tell if you have bronchitis or pneumonia. Both of these illnesses affect your airways, with bronchitis primarily impacting the bronchial tubes and pneumonia affecting the lungs. These conditions can result in symptoms like coughing, breathing issues, fever, and other flu- or COVID-like symptoms.

Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia

Although they're different infections, bronchitis and pneumonia can present similarly. "There's not a bright line between bronchitis and pneumonia," William Schaffner, MD, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Health. In other words, their symptoms often blur into each other, making it hard to distinguish one illness from the other.

What Is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis—specifically acute bronchitis—is the sudden development of inflammation in the bronchial tubes, the airways in your lungs.

"The infection gets beyond the confines of the bronchial tubes and actually gets into the substance of the lung," said Dr. Schaffner. "Then, it causes inflammation in the tissues of the lung."

Viruses are responsible for most cases of bronchitis. In fact, the viruses responsible for common colds and the flu are often the culprits in acute bronchitis.

"The same virus that causes the common cold settles lower down in the lungs and causes bronchitis" in some people, Ephraim L. Tsalik, MD, PhD, an associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at the Duke University School of Medicine, told Health.

Bronchitis is usually temporary and not severe. It doesn't typically cause permanent lung damage.

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs that affects the air sacs and causes them to fill with fluid or pus.

Bacteria is one of the most common causes of pneumonia, but viruses and fungi can also cause illness.

For example, pneumonia can be a complication of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses, and coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19). Viral pneumonia is often less severe than bacterial and fungal pneumonia. Usually, fungal pneumonia only occurs in people with chronic health conditions or weak immune systems.

A mild form of pneumonia, called atypical pneumonia or "walking pneumonia," can be caused by a virus or bacteria. With walking pneumonia, most people can continue their daily activities as if they only had a bad cold.

Usually, people feel better in three to five days, but sometimes symptoms, like fever, chills, and headache, can occur.

Pneumonia can range from mild to severe, depending on what caused the infection, the infected person's age, and their overall health. How much of the lungs are affected can also determine the severity of the disease.

"The larger the proportion it affects, the more seriously ill you are going to become," explained Dr. Schaffner.

Symptoms of Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia

Bronchitis and pneumonia often cause similar symptoms, making it challenging to differentiate between them. However, there are some key differences. 

Bronchitis

One of the most prominent symptoms of bronchitis is a cough. Often, bronchitis causes a cough that occurs in spells, said Dr. Schaffner.

Symptoms often mimic the common cold during the first few days of bronchitis. Some of the most common symptoms of bronchitis include:

• A cough that may produce yellow or green mucus (sputum)
• Chest congestion
• Feeling run-down or tired
• Low-grade fever
• Runny, stuffy nose
  
• Wheezing or a whistling sound while breathing

The bronchitis infection usually lasts a week to 10 days, but don’t be surprised if the cough continues—even for several weeks.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia symptoms can be similar to those of bronchitis. But the major difference is the severity of the symptoms, which include:

• Chest pain when you breathe or cough
• Chills
• Cough, usually with phlegm (a slimy substance from deep in your lungs)
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Nausea 
• Shortness of breath
  
• Vomiting
  

However, those symptoms can vary between populations. Young children, for example, may experience gastrointestinal (GI) issues. In contrast, older adults may experience mild versions of respiratory symptoms.

Some cases of pneumonia can lead to severe issues like:

• Bacteremia, which occurs when bacteria move to the bloodstream
• Kidney failure
• Lung abscesses
  
• Respiratory failure

Treatment for Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia

Most cases of bronchitis only require managing your symptoms at home. Pneumonia requires antibiotics if bacterial. However, depending on what causes your illness and how severe your symptoms are, you may need to see a healthcare provider for specific treatments.

Bronchitis

Because bronchitis is almost always viral, antibiotic treatments aren’t effective. Instead, you may be able to relieve some symptoms with the following treatments:

• A humidifier in your room
• Over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressant or expectorant
• Pain relievers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen)
• Plenty of rest and fluids
  

Additionally, a couple of teaspoons of honey in tea or warm water may comfort your throat and possibly soothe your coughing.

Pneumonia

Antibiotics can help treat bacterial pneumonia. Antiviral or antifungal medications may be used to treat viral or fungal infections. Severe cases may require hospitalization.

Luckily, there is a vaccine for one type of bacterial pneumonia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the pneumococcal vaccine for children under 2, adults 65 years or above, and those in between with certain chronic medical conditions.

Getting vaccinated is especially important for people with underlying health conditions of any kind, explained Dr. Schaffner. "Even smokers are at increased risk of pneumonia."

Risk Factors and Prevention

You can take some steps to prevent both bronchitis and pneumonia—including staying up-to-date on vaccines and practicing a healthy lifestyle.

Bronchitis

Certain people are at a higher risk for getting bronchitis than others, including people who:

• Are older
• Had respiratory diseases as a child
  
• Have a family history of lung disease
• Have been exposed to smoke or secondhand smoke
  
• Have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

One of the best ways to prevent bronchitis is practicing healthy habits, such as:

• Avoiding lung irritants (like paint, paint remover, and varnish) or wearing a mask when exposed
• Avoiding sick people
• Getting a flu shot every year
• Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
  
• Washing your hands regularly

Pneumonia

Just like with bronchitis, certain people are more likely to get pneumonia than others, including:

• Adults 65 years and older
• Children under 5 years old
• People who smoke cigarettes
• People with ongoing health conditions
  

Vaccines can help prevent bacterial pneumonia caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Also, getting your yearly flu shot can help prevent pneumonia caused by influenza viruses.

To prevent pneumonia, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends that you practice a healthy lifestyle, including:

• Exercising regularly
• Making healthy food choices
• Practicing good hygiene, including proper handwashing 
• Quitting smoking

When To Talk to a Healthcare Provider

Talk with a healthcare provider if you have a cough that doesn't go away after a couple of weeks or if you get bronchitis frequently.

If you have more severe symptoms, like a high fever, trouble breathing, or a cough that pulls up pus or blood, see a healthcare provider no matter what you think the cause of your symptoms might be. A healthcare provider might order a chest X-ray to help determine whether you have bronchitis, pneumonia, or something else.

It's also always best to err on the side of caution and talk with a healthcare provider if your symptoms aren't going away or get worse.

A Quick Review

There are many similarities between bronchitis and pneumonia. The symptoms can be similar. But often, pneumonia symptoms are more severe than those caused by bronchitis. Treatment will vary depending on whether a virus, bacteria, or fungus causes your illness. 

Practicing healthy habits and getting vaccines when appropriate can help reduce the risk of bronchitis and pneumonia. Talk with a healthcare provider if your symptoms don't improve or become more severe.