The diagnosis of acute or chronicbronchitisstarts with a medical history and physical examination.
Blood tests and pulmonary functions tests may be helpful in determining whether you have bronchitis.
You should get medical attention if you have signs of acute or chronic bronchitis.
© Verywell, 2018
These tests are used to determine thecause of bronchitisand to follow your progress if you have trouble breathing.
Pulmonary Function Testing
Pulmonary function testing (PFT) usesspirometryto measure your airflow as you breathe.
This test can determine the presence and degree of airflow obstruction.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
PFT is not performed for acute bronchitis.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Differential Diagnoses
There are several conditions that may produce symptoms similar to those of bronchitis.
Your diagnostic tests and medical history can help differentiate between bronchitis and the other conditions.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection, while bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi.
The bronchi are the airways that lead to the lungs.
Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction can cause a sudden episode of shortness of breath.
This is typically more dramatic than the shortness of breath that you may experience with bronchitis.
A sputum culture or blood test can confirm a bacterial infection.
But fewer than one in 20 cases of acute bronchitis is resulting from bacteria.
Among bacteria most often associated with acute bronchitis areChlamydia pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, andMycoplasma pneumoniae.
Chronic bronchitis or acute viral bronchitis are not treated with antibiotics.
X-raysare not especially helpful for diagnosing bronchitis but can identify or rule out other conditions, such as pneumonia.
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