The 3 differences between pneumonia and bronchitis

These are the differences between pneumonia and bronchitis, common pathologies of the respiratory system.

Pneumonia and bronchitis are both respiratory diseases that, to some extent, are related, which is why it is quite common for people to confuse the two conditions.

Although both are caused by some type of infectious agent that has entered the respiratory system, their symptoms and severity are very different, in addition to the fact that one is potentially more deadly.

In the following we are going to discover the differences between pneumonia and bronchitisIn addition to briefly see what causes them and to what extent one can be considered as a much more serious medical condition than the other.

The main differences between pneumonia and bronchitis.

Both bronchitis and pneumonia are infectious diseases which affect the respiratory system.For this reason it is quite common that both are confused in the popular language. Added to this, both diseases increase their prevalence when the cold months approach, since it is during the winter when our defenses are low, making us more prone to suffer from infectious diseases.

But although they affect the respiratory tract in one way or another, they are actually very different diseases, not only because of their specific symptoms but also because of their severity. Bronchitis is a rather milder inflammation of the bronchi than pneumonia, which is an infection of the lung with accumulation of fluid and infected secretions in the alveolus.

Bronchitis

As the name itself indicates, bronchitis is a disease in which the main area affected is the bronchial tree.. It is an inflammation of the bronchi that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or other irritants, although the infectious component is usually viral.

Among the symptoms of bronchitis we find the following appearance of mucus, persistent cough, shortness of breath, some fatigue and pressure in the thoracic area.. These symptoms can be more intense and long-lasting, which is called acute bronchitis, a highly contagious condition. If the symptoms last for a long time, the condition is considered chronic.

Pneumonia

Pneumonias, also known as pneumonias, are infections in which a very intense inflammation of the lung tissue occurs. These inflammations arise as a kind of defense mechanism of the respiratory system in the presence of a harmful agent, which is usually a bacterium, mostly a pneumococcus (commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae). Pneumonias can also be caused by fungi and viruses, as would be the case of pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2..

Among the most common symptoms of pneumonia are high fever, acute cough, phlegm and expectoration, chest and flank pain, choking sensation, and muscle and bone pain (dyspnea). Some of these symptoms coincide with those of influenza and bronchitis and, in fact, there are cases of these two diseases that worsen and evolve into a case of pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a much more serious respiratory infection than bronchitis, as it can be lethal in people at risk.. Its mortality rate is between 1 and 2% in normal patients, while it rises to 8% in hospitalized patients and 30% in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). It is especially dangerous in children, the elderly and those affected by asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), renal failure, Diabetes mellitus, heart disease and cancer.

Aspects that differentiate these two diseases

Once we have seen the characteristics of both diseases we can comment on what their main differences are.

To begin with, we have different symptoms and severity. Bronchitis brings with it symptoms that, although unpleasant and annoying as in the case of persistent coughing, are not particularly severe and is rarely fatal.

Pneumonia, on the other hand, involves more severe symptoms such as muscle and bone pain, shortness of breath, high fevers and, in people at risk, it can be lethal.

Another difference is their etiopathogenesis, that is to say, what causes them. Bronchitis consists of an inflammation of the bronchial tree, usually caused by a virus, while pneumonia consists of an infection of the lung tissue, usually caused by a bacterium. usually caused by bacteria, although fungi and viruses can also be involved. Bronchitis can also be caused by irritants such as smoke and bacteria.

As a consequence of their different origin, it is common to treat pneumonia with antibiotics, as long as it is known that the specific case is caused by bacteria. In contrast, in the case of bronchitis, such drugs are not usually necessary and are only administered if it is certain that the specific case is a bacterial infection.

Prevention and treatment

The best way to prevent both diseases is to avoid bad habits, especially smoking.. In addition to this, if you are a person at risk, it is advisable to receive an annual vaccination against the flu virus, being especially recommended for people over 65 years of age, chronically ill, immunocompromised patients. It is also advisable to avoid exposure to cold since it is a factor that can lower our defenses and it is advisable to wear a mask in seasons when there is a high incidence of respiratory diseases.

Most acute infectious diseases can be diagnosed and managed by primary care physicians.It is advisable to go to them in case of suspected bronchitis or pneumonia. In both cases, self-medication should be avoided, consulting a physician beforehand to see which is the appropriate treatment to follow. In case the symptoms are more severe, of greater intensity and duration, a specialist can be consulted.

If the predominant symptoms are of the upper airway, i.e. nose, ears and/or pharynx, the patient should see an otolaryngologist. On the other hand, if the predominant symptoms are from the trachea and chest pain, shortness of breath and bloody sputum are present, the patient should see a pulmonologist.