Ear, Nose & Throat Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia Both cause coughs, but are very different illnesses By Kristina Herndon, RN Updated on March 05, 2023 Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD Print Bronchitis and pneumonia can both cause coughing, chest congestion, and chills. But while bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tubes, which carry air into the lungs, pneumonia is an infection in the alveoli, the air sacs where oxygen passes into the bloodstream. The causes of bronchitis vs. pneumonia also differ. Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. Pneumonia can be viral, bacterial, or fungal. This, of course, impacts treatment: Bronchitis is usually left to run its course. Pneumonia, on the other hand, may require prescription medications, and, in some cases, hospitalization. This article discusses how the symptoms and causes of bronchitis and pneumonia differ, as well as why treatment for one may not be appropriate for the other. Anatomy of the Lungs Illustration by Joshua Seong. © Verywell, 2017. Symptoms of Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia Pneumonia and bronchitis have similar symptoms, but critical differences as well. Here is a side-by-side comparison of bronchitis and pneumonia symptoms. Bronchitis Persistent cough that may be dry or wet Chest pain Chills Shortness of breath with wheezing Body aches Sore throat Pneumonia Persistent cough that is painful and productive Chest pain Chills and fever Shortness of breath Headache Fatigue Understanding Bronchitis 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: Persistent cough (with or without mucus) Sore throat Chest pain (worse with cough) Chest congestion Wheezing Shortness of breath Chills Body aches 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. Can Bronchitis Turn Into Pneumonia? Treating Bronchitis 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 bacteria. If your healthcare provider believes this is the case, they 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. Bronchitis Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Email Address Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Understanding Pneumonia Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Although both illnesses can cause a painful cough, pneumonia also causes other significant symptoms. People with pneumonia typically feel much worse than a person with bronchitis would. 2:29 How Pneumonia Occurs Symptoms of pneumonia may include: Fever Chest pain Productive cough (may be described as a "moist" or "wet" cough) Painful and frequent cough Shortness of breath Headache Fatigue Chills 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 150,000 Americans are hospitalized yearly with pneumococcal pneumonia—the most common type of pneumonia. Thousands die from it as well. Treating Pneumonia Treatment for pneumonia will depend on the cause, but if you have bacterial pneumonia, you will almost always need to be treated with antibiotics. Other over-the-counter medications may be helpful to deal with the symptoms as well but talk with your healthcare provider about which options are suitable for you. Getting adequate rest is essential when you have pneumonia. It is a severe 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 your pneumonia type based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and tests. A Word From Verywell How to know if your cough needs antibiotics is a very common question. Your healthcare provider is there for you to diagnose your illness, determine proper treatment, and answer any questions you may have to help you feel better. — JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD Bronchitis and Asthma 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kinkade S, Long NA. Acute Bronchitis. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(7):560–5. American Academy of Family Physicians. Acute Bronchitis. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health. Bronchitis. Mattila JT, Fine MJ, Limper AH, Murray PR, Chen BB, Lin PL. Pneumonia. Treatment and diagnosis. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2014;11 Suppl 4:S189–92. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201401-027PL National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Pneumonia. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fast facts. Pneumococcal disease. American Academy of Family Physicians. Pneumonia. By Kristina Herndon, RN Kristina Herndon, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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