The main difference between a cold and bronchitis relates to the severity of each. You probably won't get bronchitis unless you've had a cold or some type of upper respiratory infection first because bronchitis is usually caused by the common cold and develops when the airways leading to the lungs become inflamed and irritated. If you're suffering from a runny nose, sore sinuses, and a mild cough or sore throat, you probably just have the common cold. If your cold gets worse and you develop a persistent cough that is not productive and lasts for a few weeks to a month, you may have bronchitis. Another major difference between a cold and bronchitis is your body temperature, because you may not have a fever with a cold, but you likely will have a fever with bronchitis.
If you have a cold that has lasted longer than usual, you may be at risk of developing bronchitis. In addition to a persistent cough and fever, other symptoms of bronchitis usually include a painful burning sensation in the chest along with hoarseness or wheezing. It is very important that you see a doctor if you are not sure about the difference between a cold and bronchitis because bronchitis often requires medical treatment. Bronchitis is usually caused by bacteria or a virus, and if bacteria is the cause of your bronchitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to get rid of the infection.
Another reason it's important to understand the difference between a cold and bronchitis is because bronchitis occasionally turns into pneumonia, which can be deadly. Your doctor will be able to assess your symptoms to determine if you have the common cold, bronchitis, or pneumonia. The symptoms of bronchitis are often very similar to the symptoms of pneumonia, and for this reason, many people confuse these illnesses with each other. With pneumonia, your fever will usually rise much higher than it would if bronchitis were the problem. If you have pneumonia, you may also experience shaking, chills, and shortness of breath.
Bronchitis is not considered a life-threatening illness, but if your cold has lasted more than a week and you have a very persistent cough that doesn't seem to be getting better, you should definitely see your doctor. In addition to antibiotics, your doctor may prescribe a cough suppressant for you to take at night so your cough doesn't disrupt your sleep. Antibiotics may not be necessary if your bronchitis is viral, and it should go away on its own once your body rids itself of the virus that caused it.