Acute bronchitis is a respiratory condition that is often mistaken for other illnesses. The common symptoms of acute bronchitis include a productive cough, chest pain, a sore throat, and fever. In order to properly diagnose acute bronchitis, a doctor must perform a physical examination and collect a detailed medical history.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis
Many of the signs and symptoms of acute bronchitis are similar to those of other common illnesses, such as the cold and flu. Common symptoms of acute bronchitis include:
- A productive cough that may produce thick, greenish-yellow or gray mucus
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- A sore throat
- A fever
- Wheezing
- Body aches
What Can Be Mistaken for Acute Bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis can be mistaken for other illnesses, including the flu, pneumonia, and asthma. In order to differentiate between these conditions, a doctor may perform a physical examination and collect a detailed medical history.
The flu and pneumonia can both cause similar symptoms to acute bronchitis, such as fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. However, pneumonia usually causes more severe symptoms than the flu, including a higher fever, increased difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood.
Asthma is another respiratory condition that can be mistaken for acute bronchitis. Asthma can cause many of the same symptoms as acute bronchitis, such as chest pain and a productive cough. The primary difference between asthma and acute bronchitis is that asthma is a chronic condition, while acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics or antivirals.
Diagnosing Acute Bronchitis
In order to properly diagnose acute bronchitis, a doctor must perform a physical examination and collect a detailed medical history. The doctor may also order chest X-rays to check for signs of pneumonia or other respiratory conditions. The doctor may also order a sputum test to check for signs of a bacterial infection.
If the doctor suspects that the patient has a bacterial infection, they may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. If the doctor suspects that the patient has a viral infection, they may prescribe antivirals to help reduce the symptoms of the infection.
Preventing Acute Bronchitis
The best way to prevent acute bronchitis is to practice good hygiene and get regular medical checkups. It is also important to avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. Additionally, it is important to get the flu and pneumococcal vaccines to reduce the risk of developing acute bronchitis.