Both pneumonia and bronchitis can cause a cough. But, in reality, they’re two different illnesses. Bronchitis affects the large airways in your lungs (the bronchi). Pneumonia, on the other hand, affects the small air sacs (the alveoli). Acute bronchitis usually goes away on its own in 2 to 3 weeks. But you might need to take prescription medication if you have pneumonia.
Knowing what you have can help you get the right treatment. So, how do you know if your cough is pneumonia or bronchitis? This quiz can help.
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Written by:
Sarah Gupta, MDSarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Edited by:
Sophie Vergnaud, MDSophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.
