A medical doctor define bronchitis as an inflammation or infection of the bronchial airways.  Pneumonia on the other hand is a more widespread inflammation or infection of the lungs.  Both are common lower respiratory infections in adults, especially in the colder months.  The illnesses can strike adults of any age but smokers and elderly are at highest risk.

Furthermore, according to the doctor, lower respiratory infections are usually caused by viruses and therefore won't respond to antibiotics.  The infections usually clear up on their own after a few days of bed rest.

• Chronic  Bronchitis.  The longer and more heavily a person smokes, the greater risk of developing this chronic illness.  It occurs when the quantity and viscosity or thickness of sputum increase; the sputum changes in color from clear to yellow or green; and the presence of a low-grade fever and the respiratory status worsened.  It is caused by common bacteria such as streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilus influenzae, and moraxella catarrhalis. However, some cases are related to allergies.  These can be easily identified by evaluating sputum under a microscope.

          Smokers are at highest risk of bronchitis

• Acute Bronchitis.  It can occur in otherwise healthy persons of any age.  It is characterized by a cough,  often one that produces sputum.  A sore throat may be present as well.  Most cases, including those that accompany the common cold are caused by a virus and will not respond to antibiotics.  Medication is use to relieve pain and ease discomfort.  Medical doctors commented that only about ten percent of cases of acute bronchitis will respond to antibiotics.  These cases are generally caused by such unusual organisms as bordetella pertussis, which causes whooping cough, mycoplasma pneumoniae or chlamydia.
• Community Acquired Pneumonia.  CAP afflicts millions of people each year according to a researcher.  Severity ranges from mild to life-threatening.  Among young, otherwise healthy persons, many cases are due to unusual organisms such as mycoplasma pneumoniae.  Symptoms in younger persons often include shortness of breath, complaints of chest pain and cough.  Among the elderly, the major CAP invaders are common bacteria such as streptococcus pneumoniae and legionella pneumophilia.  Symptoms in older persons may be subtle, consisting primarily of fatigue.  Fever may be absent, thus complicating diagnosis.  Most elderly people with CAP will require hospitalization.

          An Elderly

Community acquired pneumonia guidelines

Immunization should be strongly considered for elderly,  those with underlying cardiopulmonary disease and others in whom pneumococcal pneumonia or viral influenza could be dangerous or cause a significant absence from work.  More widespread use of these safe, well-tolerated vaccines could also prevent many lower respiratory infection says the doctor.