It can be tricky to determine whether your symptoms are actually the result of a common cold, bronchitis, or another type of infection.
How do you know whether your cough and runny nose are signs of a common cold or bronchitis? It can be hard to differentiate between upper respiratory and lower respiratory conditions. Sometimes, the symptoms overlap.
It helps to know what to expect and what to watch out for, especially if your symptoms get worse and not better.
Bronchitis vs. cold symptoms
Bronchitis is a lower respiratory infection, while colds are upper respiratory infections, but their symptoms are similar.
Bronchitis symptoms
According to the American Lung Association , the most common symptoms of bronchitis are:
You might also experience some chills or body aches with a case of acute bronchitis that comes on suddenly.
Common cold symptoms
Colds often develop in stages, starting with a tickle in the throat or a sore throat. In the early stages of a cold, you may develop:
- nasal congestion
- sneezing
- coughing
- hoarseness
Those symptoms, especially a runny nose, may linger into the next stage, which often brings:
- headache
- fatigue
- body aches
- fever
As you start to improve, the symptoms will dissipate, although it’s not uncommon for the cough to linger, too.
Bronchitis vs. cold causes
Viruses are the pesky culprit for many respiratory infections, including bronchitis and the common cold.
Bronchitis causes
Although it’s possible for bacterial infections to lead to a case of acute bronchitis, viruses are a very common cause of bronchitis.
You can also develop a case of acute bronchitis from breathing in a substance that irritates your lungs, such as air pollution, dust, fumes, or smoke.
Common cold causes
Viruses cause colds, too. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that more than 200 different respiratory viruses can cause colds.
The most common culprit is the rhinovirus, but other culprits include:
- parainfluenza viruses
- adenoviruses
- common human coronaviruses
- enteroviruses (including EV-D68)
- human metapneumovirus
Who gets bronchitis or the common cold?
Some people are at greater risk for certain types of infections than others.
Bronchitis risk factors
Anyone can develop bronchitis, but your chances are higher if you’ve recently had a viral or bacterial infection.
Older adults and young children are at increased risk, too, as are people who smoke and people with underlying health conditions like asthma, heart disease, or lung disease.
Common cold risk factors
Anyone can catch a cold. In fact, just about everyone does catch a cold from time to time. Colds are more common in the winter, and adults tend to catch an average of two to four colds per year.
However, children catch even more colds than adults. A weakened immune system can also make you more vulnerable to catching a cold. A history of smoking, stress, and lack of sleep can also make you more vulnerable to colds.
When to contact a doctor
If your cough doesn’t go away after 2 to 3 weeks or if you think your cough and your other symptoms are getting worse, contact a doctor. You should also contact a doctor if you have trouble breathing.
Diagnosing bronchitis or a cold
A doctor may ask you how long your symptoms have lasted and take a medical history before deciding if any other tests, such as a chest X-ray, are warranted.
How are bronchitis and the common cold treated?
With a relatively mild case of bronchitis or a cold, you can rely on fairly similar treatments.
Bronchitis treatment
Most cases of acute bronchitis eventually go away on their own. However, you can take a few steps to manage your symptoms, such as:
- drinking plenty of fluids
- getting lots of rest
- using a humidifier to provide moisture in the air and help loosen chest congestion
- using over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and cough suppressants
Common cold treatment
Since there’s no cure for the common cold , you’ll have to focus on treating the symptoms. Cold symptoms can last from 2 days to 2 weeks.
The best way to deal with a cold is by getting enough rest and drinking plenty of fluids. You can also take some OTC medications to manage mild symptoms.
Can you prevent bronchitis or a cold?
To some degree, the best way to prevent a cold or bronchitis is to avoid any germs that could cause an infection. This often includes being vigilant about handwashing and not touching your face.
Frequently asked questions about bronchitis and cold
Here are a few frequently asked questions about bronchitis and the common cold.
Can a cold turn into bronchitis?
It’s possible to develop secondary infections, or complications, from having an upper respiratory infection like a cold. They can be mild or more severe.
According to the CDC , bronchitis and pneumonia are among the more serious types of complications.
How do you rule out bronchitis when you’re sick?
You really need to see a doctor to find out what type of illness you’re battling. They’ll need to do a few things to make a diagnosis:
- physical exam
- medical history
- assess symptoms
Blood work may also be necessary to look for signs of infection. Your healthcare professional may also order a chest X-ray to check to examine your lungs and bronchial tubes.
Do you need antibiotics for bronchitis?
Antibiotics are not recommended as a treatment for acute bronchitis, as bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, not a bacterial infection.
Also, research suggests that antibiotics only shorten the duration of the cough that’s common in bronchitis by a very short amount of time, while also creating an opportunity for side effects from the antibiotics.
Bronchitis vs. other illnesses
The symptoms of colds, the flu, and COVID-19 can be very similar.
Bronchitis vs. flu
Various respiratory viruses can lead to cases of acute bronchitis, while a specific kind of virus — the influenza virus — causes the flu. Common symptoms of the flu include:
- fever
- body aches
- chills
- fatigue
- coughing
- sneezing
- headache
- sore throat
One of the most common hallmarks of the flu is sudden onset of symptoms . Sometimes, flu symptoms resolve on their own, but there may be times when it’s appropriate to take an antiviral medication like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) .
Bronchitis vs. COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by a very specific type of coronavirus: SARS-CoV-2. Like many other types of infections, it can range from very mild, even symptomless, to very severe and even fatal.
Mild cases of COVID-19 can improve on their own, but those with weakened immune systems may benefit from taking an antiviral medication for COVID-19 infections.
Bronchitis vs. pneumonia
One major difference between bronchitis and pneumonia is which part of the respiratory system these conditions affect. Bronchitis causes inflammation in the bronchial tubes that carry air to your lungs, while pneumonia causes inflammation in the alveoli, or air sacs, in your lungs.
You can have similar symptoms with both conditions, such as coughing, but pneumonia tends to be more severe. You’re also more likely to have fever and chills with pneumonia. The treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause. For example, if it’s bacterial pneumonia, it can be treated with antibiotics. Antivirals can be used for viral pneumonia .
Takeaway
It’s entirely possible to develop a relatively mild case of bronchitis that gets better on its own. However, if you develop a cough and other symptoms and they seem to be getting worse, rather than better, contact a doctor and ask for an evaluation.
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