There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis usually goes away within a few days to a few weeks. Chronic bronchitis is one form of COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and can occur for several months at a time; treatment can improve symptoms, but not cure them. Industrial bronchitis refers to a condition which can affect certain people who are regularly exposed to fumes, dust, or smoke. The airways become irritated and result in coughing and mucus production.
Symptoms may go away on their own, or medication or air filters especially face masks may be required to improve symptoms. Your doctor can diagnose bronchitis by assessing your symptoms as well as listening to your chest with a stethoscope for the rattling sound in your lungs which accompanies bronchitis. Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which can result from bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
These can be acquired by airborne sources such as sneezing or coughing , or can occur when bacteria or viruses in the nose and sinuses spread to the lungs. Much like bronchitis, people with pneumonia will experience a cough which brings up mucus, as well as a shortness of breath. Pneumonia may similarly be accompanied by a fever — although the fever may be high, unlike bronchitis. Pneumonia may also cause confusion, clammy or sweaty skin, headache, malaise, loss of appetite, sharp chest pain, or leukonychia white nail syndrome.
Unlike bronchitis, pneumonia can be life-threatening. Most people with walking pneumonia can go about their daily activities as normal. Pneumonia affects how air is distributed to blood cells. When cells do not get enough oxygen, they cannot function properly. In both cases, cells that line the bronchi become infected. When the body tries to fight the infection, it causes the bronchial tubes to swell, resulting in coughing. People with bronchitis often have a cough that sometimes brings up mucus.
They may also experience shortness of breath, wheezing, a low fever, and chest tightness. Cold symptoms typically begin with a runny nose with clear mucus. This mucus is a sign of your body washing the virus out from the infection site your nose and sinuses. After a few days, the mucus may change to a white, yellow, or even green color. This is nothing to worry about; it is a sign that your body is fighting the infection.
The runny nose and cough may continue but decrease in severity for 10 to 14 days. Similarly, bronchitis is temporary and usually does not cause any permanent breathing difficulties. It typically clears up in a week or 10 days because, with time, the immune system can fight off the infection and your airways return to normal.
It generally gets better on its own without treatment. There is no cure for the common cold or bronchitis. These conditions will clear up on their own. This means antibiotics are not necessary, nor are they recommended, even in cases of bacterial bronchitis. However, you can look for medications that offer symptom relief. Over-the-counter OTC nasal decongestants and diphenhydramine , for example, can help with runny nose and low-grade fever, respectively.
Other things you can do to feel better when you have a cold or bronchitis include:. Call your heatlhcare provider immediately if you have a cold and:.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have bronchitis and:. The key to preventing these infections goes back to the basics of taking good care of ourselves and practicing good personal hygiene. It is also a good idea to get the flu vaccine every year and keep your distance from people who are showing signs of an upper respiratory infection, such as coughing and sneezing. General prevention tips include:. You should be washing your hands in the following situations:.
You can do your best to prevent a cold from turning into bronchitis by strengthening your immune system. This includes following the cold treatment suggestions like getting plenty of rest and fluids and exercising, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common cold. Updated February 6, Bronchitis chest cold. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ferri FF. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Chronic cough. Rochester, Minn. Stoller JK, et al. Management of infection in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tintinalli JE, et al. Acute bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections. New York, N. Acute bronchitis. American Lung Association. Gautret P, et al. Journal of Travel Medicine. Antibiotics aren't always the answer.
Harris AM, et al. Appropriate antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infection in adults: Advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annals of Internal Medicine. Jong EC, et al.
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