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Pneumonia Symptoms |
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Fever
Chills
Cough
Rapid breathing
Wheezing
Chest or abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Exhaustion
Vomiting
Bronchitis Symptoms
Thick white, yellow or greenish mucus
Headache
Chills
Fever
Shortness of breath
Soreness/tightness in the chest
Wheezing
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Tests
Pneumonia
See your doctor for any symptoms that last more than a few days. You should also see a doctor if fever rises, if chest pains become severe or if you feel short of breath.
Diagnostic tests may include a chest x-ray to help tell the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia. Blood tests may help find the cause and severity of the infection. In some cases, the doctor will take a laboratory culture of the mucus produced by coughing. Cultures can help determine the type of bacteria causing the infection, and the most effective antibiotics to use against it.
Bronchitis
Your doctor listens to your chest for wheezing and congestion. A chest x-ray may be done and sometimes you may get a spirometry (a breathing test) to make sure you don't have asthma or pneumonia.
More on Pneumonia and Bronchitis Spirometry
In the Encyclopedia: Bronchitis
Cough
Emphysema
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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