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What is the Difference Between Bronchitis and Pneumonia?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

Bronchitis and pneumonia may be easily confused since both may exhibit similar symptoms. Both bronchitis and pneumonia attack the respiratory system, but they are different illnesses that infect separate areas within the respiratory tract. Knowing the difference between the two illnesses can help a person identify distinct symptoms and seek medical treatment when necessary.

Acute bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tubes, which are the airways that carry air to and from the lungs. Usually, this infection is caused by exposure to a virus, such as a flu or common cold. Bronchitis will typically clear in a few weeks without medical aid, and since it is often viral in nature, antibiotics may be ineffective as a treatment.

Individuals with pneumonia often experience difficulty breathing.
Individuals with pneumonia often experience difficulty breathing.

There is also a chronic form of bronchitis that is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chronic bronchitis tends to recur on a regular basis and is usually caused by long-term damage to the airways, such as scarring and inflammation caused by smoking. Signs of chronic bronchitis include a mucus-producing cough that reoccurs for at least three days per month.

Doctors use chest x-rays to check for lung infections.
Doctors use chest x-rays to check for lung infections.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can reduce the body's capability to circulate oxygen to organs. It may be caused either by a virus or bacteria, and can sometimes be treated with antibiotics. Generally, pneumonia is considered a more dangerous condition than acute bronchitis, since it inhibits total body function if the inflammation in the lungs becomes severe.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can reduce the body's capability to circulate oxygen to organs.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can reduce the body's capability to circulate oxygen to organs.

Some symptoms are the same in bronchitis and pneumonia, causing understandable confusion about which condition is present. Both bronchitis and pneumonia may result in a mucus-producing cough, with mucous that is yellow or green. Fever, fatigue, and other upper respiratory symptoms, such as a runny or stuffed up nose, are common with both conditions.

Untreated bronchitis may turn into pneumonia.
Untreated bronchitis may turn into pneumonia.

One key symptom that can distinguish bronchitis and pneumonia is an increasing shortness of breath. As the inflammation attacks the lung tissue, pneumonia can make it harder and harder to take in oxygen, as well as allow oxygenated blood to circulate. A high fever is more common with pneumonia than with bronchitis. People with pneumonia may also cough up bloody or rust-tinged mucus, which is very uncommon with acute bronchitis.

Pneumonia causes the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, to become inflamed.
Pneumonia causes the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, to become inflamed.

Doctors may use chest X-rays to determine if a lung infection exists, as the conditions may be hard to distinguish by simple symptom descriptions. In a patient with pneumonia, an X-ray will usually show an abnormality that denotes an infection, whereas bronchitis may show no signs on an X-ray. Treatment for bronchitis is frequently a simple course of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication for symptoms. For pneumonia, patients are generally put on a course of antibiotics on the assumption that the infection is bacterial. If the antibiotics do not work or symptoms worsen, the patient may be admitted to hospital care for tests and careful monitoring.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a TheHealthBoard writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a TheHealthBoard writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

My sister had bronchitis and the flu simultaneously last year. She was miserably sick. She was on antibiotics to keep her from getting bacterial bronchitis.

It took her about two weeks to really feel better. She was running a pretty high fever and we talked about whether she should go to the ER or not. Fortunately, she didn't have to, but she was laid out for a while. I've been that sick, but it's been a long, long time.

The upshot is, even though bronchitis isn't as serious as pneumonia, it's still nothing to mess around with. See a doctor and take your meds like you need to.

Scrbblchick

Bronchitis can turn into pneumonia, too. Bronchitis can also cause shortness of breath, especially after exertion -- sort of like exercise-induced asthma.

Bronchitis also usually comes with a bone-rattling cough. And it can sure enough be bacterial, and not viral. My last bout with it started from a low-grade sinus infection that migrated south. It took two rounds of antibiotics to clear it up.

I slept with three pillows behind my head and shoulders to elevate my head and keep me from getting so congested at night. Makes my chest tight to think about it.

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    • Individuals with pneumonia often experience difficulty breathing.
      By: kmiragaya
      Individuals with pneumonia often experience difficulty breathing.
    • Doctors use chest x-rays to check for lung infections.
      By: IvicaNS
      Doctors use chest x-rays to check for lung infections.
    • Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can reduce the body's capability to circulate oxygen to organs.
      By: vbaleha
      Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can reduce the body's capability to circulate oxygen to organs.
    • Untreated bronchitis may turn into pneumonia.
      By: rob3000
      Untreated bronchitis may turn into pneumonia.
    • Pneumonia causes the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, to become inflamed.
      By: rob3000
      Pneumonia causes the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, to become inflamed.
    • Children experiencing inflamed nasal and throat passages may be more susceptible to developing a secondary condition, such as pneumonia.
      By: julaszka
      Children experiencing inflamed nasal and throat passages may be more susceptible to developing a secondary condition, such as pneumonia.
    • The presence of pneumonia may cause fever in infants.
      By: fred goldstein
      The presence of pneumonia may cause fever in infants.
    • Chronic bronchitis tends to recur on a regular basis and is usually caused by long-term damage to the airways.
      By: rob3000
      Chronic bronchitis tends to recur on a regular basis and is usually caused by long-term damage to the airways.