Bronchitis differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Bronchitis Main page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Acute bronchitis Chronic bronchitis
Differential Diagnosis

Overview

Acute bronchitis (inflammation of large airways) should be differentiated from asthma or bronchiolitis (acute inflammation of the small airways). Asthma and Bronchiolitis generally presents with cough accompanied by wheezing, tachypnea, respiratory distress, and hypoxemia. Whereas, bronchitis usually presents with cough last usually for 10 days with or without sputum. It should also be distinguished from bronchiectasis that is associated with chronic cough (due to permanent dilatation of bronchi). Additionally, chronic bronchitis should be ruled out. The diagnosis of chronic bronchitis is made in patients who have cough and sputum production on most days of the month for at least 3 months of the year during 2 consecutive years.Other diagnosis to keep in mind as differentials are: COPD, influenza, pharyngitis and sinusitis

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