by Most people are stunned to learn that over 773,000,000 people have gotten COVID-19 worldwide.
Since COVID-19 has been in the spotlight, other common viruses have been trickier to detect. Most people jump to COVID-19 when they feel ill, but it could be something else.
What should people know about bronchitis vs COVID? Read on for the full bronchitis and COVID guide.
COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19 symptoms don’t look the same for every person who catches it, but common issues include the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Intense fatigue
- Fever
- Body aches
- Cough
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Difficulty breathing
It’s important to note that COVID-19 symptoms can range from being a bit inconvenient to debilitating. Some people won’t even know that they’re ill, which makes detection challenging.
COVID-19 Prevention
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 involves adopting good hygiene practices and following recommended guidelines. These things are key measures to reduce the risk of infection:
- Washing hands often
- Wearing masks
- Practicing social distancing
- Getting vaccinated and boosted
- Staying informed about local health guidelines
Doing your best to stick to those tricks can work wonders for avoiding the virus and getting others sick.
Bronchitis Symptoms
Bronchitis is often caused by viral infections that inflame the bronchial tubes in your lungs. Symptoms of bronchitis can include the following:
- A cough that won’t go away
- Wheezing
- Chest discomfort
- Fatigue
- A low-grade fever
While bronchitis and COVID-19 share some symptoms, bronchitis often doesn’t cause a sudden loss of taste or smell, which is a distinct feature of COVID-19. It’s vital to know about tripledemics so you can know the signs of each common illness going around.
Diagnosing COVID-19 and Bronchitis
Diagnosing COVID-19 involves a PCR or rapid antigen test. These tests can let you know if there’s any bit of the virus around in your respiratory samples. Chest X-rays or CT scans could also help determine how badly the lungs are affected.
Diagnosing bronchitis tends to involve the following:
- A thorough medical history
- Physical examination
- Sometimes imaging studies like chest X-rays
Doctors may order other lab tests to rule out other issues that could cause your respiratory problems.
Treating Bronchitis
Bronchitis treatments focus on relieving symptoms and doing the following:
- Resting
- Drinking a lot
- Taking over-the-counter medications to lower fevers and stay comfortable
In some cases, bronchodilators may be prescribed to help open airways and ease breathing. Antibiotics aren’t effective against viral bronchitis but may be prescribed if a bacterial infection is suspected.
Treating COVID-19
Treating COVID-19 varies based on the severity of symptoms. Most people can handle mild cases at home with the usual rest, OTC medications, and hydration. Severe cases could result in the following:
- Hospitalization
- Oxygen therapy
- Antiviral medications
Vaccinations are paramount when it comes to lowering the odds of getting sick or having severe symptoms.
Bronchitis vs COVID: Now You Know the Key Differences
There’s a lot to unpack with bronchitis vs COVID since the two illnesses can be confusing. With this respiratory guide, you’ll be able to stay in tune with your symptoms better.
Would you like to avoid getting sick and stay as vibrant as possible? Click through our other wellness blog posts for more.
