Question
My child has recently had a recurrence of fever and coughing with phlegm. Upon a detailed examination at the outpatient clinic, it was found to be pediatric bronchitis. After taking medication for a few days without improvement, we went to the hospital for a thorough check-up and it has turned into pneumonia. How can one distinguish between pediatric bronchitis and pneumonia?
Answer
In terms of symptoms, it is not possible to differentiate between pneumonia or bronchitis. Both conditions often present with symptoms such as cough, fever, and expectoration. However, if a doctor performs a physical examination by tapping on the chest, pediatric bronchitis may exhibit dry wheezing sounds. Pneumonia, on the other hand, is more commonly associated with moist rales. Their onset reasons are relatively similar, often due to microbial infections such as bacteria and viruses. It may also be related to factors such as dry air and improper diet. A thorough diagnosis requires detailed checks such as blood tests and chest X-rays at the hospital.