How is acute bronchitis differentiated from acute pneumonia?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The key differentiation between acute bronchitis and acute pneumonia is the degree and extent of involvement of the lower respiratory tract with the infectious process. In bronchitis, the infection is limited to the bronchial tree, whereas in pneumonia, the infection extends to the alveoli and the adjacent lung tissue. Other factors that may help differentiate the two conditions include the presence and degree of fever, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Imaging studies, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan, may also be useful in distinguishing between the two conditions.

How Is Acute Bronchitis Differentiated from Acute Pneumonia