Bronchitis is caused by the common cold and is characterized by a persistent, unproductive cough, fever, and chest pain. It can lead to pneumonia and requires medical attention. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the cause is bacterial.
The main difference between a cold and bronchitis is in the severity of each. You probably won’t get bronchitis unless you’ve had a cold or some sort of upper respiratory infection before because bronchitis is normally caused by the common cold and develops when the airways leading to your lungs become inflamed and irritated. If you have a runny nose, sinus pain, and a mild cough or sore throat, you probably just have the common cold. In case your cold gets worse and you develop a persistent cough that is unproductive and lasts for a few weeks to a month, you may have bronchitis. Another major difference between a cold and bronchitis is body temperature, because you may not have a fever with a cold, but you likely will have a fever with bronchitis.
If you have a cold that has gone on longer than normal, you may be at risk of developing bronchitis. In addition to a persistent cough and fever, other symptoms of bronchitis typically include a painful burning sensation in the chest along with hoarseness or wheezing. It is very important to see a doctor if you are unsure of the difference between a cold and bronchitis because bronchitis often requires medical attention. Bronchitis is typically caused by bacteria or viruses, and if bacteria is the cause of bronchitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
Another reason it’s important to understand the difference between a cold and bronchitis is because bronchitis occasionally turns into pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Your doctor will be able to evaluate your symptoms to determine if you have the common cold, bronchitis, or pneumonia. The symptoms of bronchitis are often very similar to the symptoms of pneumonia, which is why many people mistake these diseases for each other. With pneumonia, the fever typically rises much higher than it would if bronchitis was the problem. If you have pneumonia, you may also experience shaking, shivering, and shortness of breath.
Bronchitis isn’t considered a life-threatening illness, but if your cold has been going on for more than a week and you have a very persistent cough that doesn’t seem to be getting better, you should definitely see your doctor. In addition to antibiotics, your doctor may prescribe a cough suppressant to take at night so your cough doesn’t interrupt your sleep. Antibiotics may not be necessary if your bronchitis is viral and should go away on its own once your body is rid of the virus that caused it.
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