Symptoms
Symptoms will depend on the type of bronchitis.
Acute Bronchitis
- Runny nose
- Malaise
- Slight fever
- Back and muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Cough, initially dry, then produces mucus that may be thick, yellow, green, blood-streaked
- Wheezing
Chronic Bronchitis
- Cough that brings up yellow-green mucus, often worse in the morning
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish tint to lips and skin (in severe cases)
- Swelling of the feet (in end-stage cases)
Bronchi and Air Sacs of Lungs
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Acute Bronchitis
Tests are rare. The following may be recommended for severe or questionable cases:
- Blood test
- Chest x-rays —to rule out pneumonia , a complication of bronchitis
- Pulse oximetry—to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood
- Bronchoscopy with culture of the sputum
Chronic Bronchitis
Tests may include:
- Blood test
- Chest x-rays
- Pulmonary function tests or spirometry—to evaluate lung function
- Sputum culture
- Arterial blood gas—to test for levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid in the blood
- Pulse oximetry
- Bronchoscopy with culture of obtained sputum
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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