Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of bronchitis and prevent further damage to the airways. Read about some home remedies for bronchitis here. Chronic bronchitis can lead to serious complications, including death from heart or lung damage. Acute bronchitis does not usually cause serious complications. However, in a person with a weak immune system, it may lead to other infections, including pneumonia and sepsis. Chronic lower respiratory diseases, including bronchitis, claimed , lives in the United States in Pneumonia is a very serious health condition and can be bacterial, viral, or fungal.
In , there were 49, deaths from pneumonia in the U. People with chronic medical conditions may repeatedly get pneumonia. Many people develop pneumonia after a viral infection.
It is also possible to get pneumonia after bronchitis. Some vaccinations can reduce the risk of pneumonia. The pneumococcal vaccination , for example, can help prevent pneumococcal pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is common among older people and those with weakened immune systems.
The best form of treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia a person has. Antibiotics can treat bacterial pneumonia, and antifungals can treat fungal pneumonia, but there is no specific treatment for viral forms. While some people find relief from cough medicine, coughing is an important way for the body to get rid of infections.
An individual should talk to a doctor before using cough medicine. Some people with pneumonia may need supportive care in the hospital. Intravenous fluids and medication for other symptoms, such as high fever, may help a person to recover faster. Read about some home remedies that may help to ease the symptoms of pneumonia here. Pneumonia ranges in severity from relatively mild to life threatening when breathing becomes very difficult. It is more dangerous in babies, young children, seniors, and people with other illnesses.
Pneumonia can decrease blood oxygen and damage the organs. People with pneumonia may die from respiratory failure, shock, sepsis, and lung abscesses. The same infections that cause bronchitis may also cause pneumonia. Moreover, chronic bronchitis is a risk factor for developing pneumonia and other serious infections. A person with a previous diagnosis of one type of infection may still develop another infection. It is crucial to watch out for changing or worsening symptoms.
List of Partners vendors. Acute bronchitis and pneumonia are often confused because they cause such similar symptoms. A cough that lasts for weeks or even longer are hallmarks of both illnesses. However, there are key differences between these infections that you need to know about. If you have ever been diagnosed with either one or know someone who has, you'll want to know how they differ.
Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the airways that lead to the lungs. It can occur after a viral illness such as the common cold or flu or occasionally it can develop on its own. Typically bronchitis is viral, meaning that antibiotics are not helpful in treating it. Symptoms of bronchitis include:.
Acute bronchitis can resolve on its own within about a week but the cough may linger for weeks or even months. If you've been diagnosed with bronchitis and your symptoms worsen or change significantly, you may have developed another infection. Contact your healthcare provider to be seen again if this happens. Acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, so antibiotics are rarely prescribed. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and using them to treat a viral infection only leads to antibiotic resistance.
Occasionally, bronchitis is caused by a bacteria and if your healthcare provider believes this is the case, she may prescribe antibiotics to treat it at that time.
More often, however, treating acute bronchitis simply means finding relief from the symptoms until the illness resolves. You may find over-the-counter OTC medications helpful and you should try to rest as much as possible and increase your fluid intake as well. And although acute bronchitis is bothersome, it is typically not as severe as pneumonia. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. People with pneumonia typically feel much worse than a person with bronchitis would. Although both illnesses can cause a painful cough , pneumonia causes other significant symptoms as well. Symptoms of pneumonia may include:. There are many types of pneumonia and some are more serious than others. The most common type of pneumonia in adults is bacterial pneumonia. It can cause severe illness and is a leading cause of death among Americans.
The CDC reports that approximately , Americans are hospitalized each year with pneumococcal pneumonia—the most common type of pneumonia. Thousands die from it as well. Getting adequate rest is essential when you have pneumonia. It is a serious illness that takes time to heal and recover from.
There are less severe forms of pneumonia—like walking pneumonia—that come with milder symptoms and don't always need to be treated with antibiotics. Your healthcare provider will determine what type of pneumonia you have based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and tests.
A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD exacerbation is another issue entirely when compared to chronic bronchitis. Luckily, there is a vaccine for one type of bacterial pneumonia. The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for children under the age of 2, adults 65 years or above, and people in between who have certain chronic medical conditions.
But overall, if you have a really high fever, trouble breathing, or a cough that pulls up pus or blood, see your doctor no matter what you think the cause of your symptoms might be. Your doctor might order a chest X-ray to help determine whether your have bronchitis or pneumonia. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter. Home Lung Conditions Bronchitis vs.
Bronchitis vs. By Amanda Gardner Updated November 05, Save Pin FB More. Something went wrong. An error has occurred and your entry was not submitted. Please try again. Runny, stuffy nose Low-grade fever Chest congestion Wheezing or a whistling sound while breathing A cough that may produce yellow or green mucus sputum Feeling run-down or tired.
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