To diagnose bronchitis, your healthcare professional may take your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and perform a physical exam. They may also order a blood test to check for signs of infection or an X-ray to see if anything looks unusual.
The diagnostic process can help rule out other conditions if they think you don’t have bronchitis. Common bronchitis symptoms can also be
Other conditions may have symptoms similar to those presented by bronchitis. An acute cough can point to conditions
- asthma
- acute or chronic sinusitis
- bronchiolitis
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- viral pharyngitis
- heart failure
- pulmonary embolism
- pneumonia
Your doctor or healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and determine whether you have bronchitis or some other condition.
If you think you might have bronchitis, contact a doctor or healthcare professional for further advice and treatment. They can determine whether you have the condition or something else.
Symptoms of bronchitis you can watch for at home include:
- a cough
- shortness of breath
- chest pain when coughing
- a sore throat
- a runny nose
- a high temperature
If you think you might have bronchitis, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. If your symptoms worsen, or you think you might have a different condition, contact a doctor or another healthcare professional for more in-depth advice.