Answer #1

Bronchitis and also pneumonia are very serious health conditions that affect the respiratory system. They can cause lots of discomfort, particularly if left unattended to. Learning their differences will assist you to better manage them.

1. Causes

Bronchitis occurs during an inflammation in the lungs’ bronchial tubes. This inflammation can come about because of several factors that include either a viral or bacterial infection. An irritation that originates from smoke and pollution can also cause this condition. Bronchitis can either be acute or chronic in nature. Acute bronchitis normally lasts for several days, while chronic bronchitis lasts over an extended time period. Nevertheless, pneumonia is fundamentally caused by the presence of an infection in the lungs. This infection can arise because of a virus, bacteria or fungi. It largely affects people who are over 65 years or those with compromised immune systems.

2. Indications

Bronchitis normally manifests itself like a cough along with a fever, headache and chills. A person can also experience lack of breath. In contrast, pneumonia is characterized by high fever and cough. It is also accompanied by wheezing and rapid breathing. The patient normally complains of intense chest pain, while others feel nauseous and extremely exhausted. The indications of the viral form of pneumonia are normally the same like those of the common flu.

3. Treatment

Bronchitis treatment is somewhat simple. After the cause for infection has been identified, the physician normally prescribes the appropriate antibiotics. The patient is advised to rest and also to avoid smoke and air pollution. As pneumonia is a very serious affliction, patients are prescribed strong antiviral drugs or antibiotics. Should the condition worsen, then the doctor recommends that patient is moved to hospital care where extra breathing apparatus are installed.

In general, pneumonia is much more serious than bronchitis and sometimes hospitalization is necessary so as to completely treat it.

Answered By: daniel [554 ]