A member asked:

How do you know if you have bacteria or viral bronchitis?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Douglas Arenberg answered

Specializes in Pulmonary Critical Care

You generally don't: 1st, more than 95% of "bronchitis" is viral. Secondly the other 5% probably resolve spontaneously without any therapy. It really does not matter unless you are otherwise chronically ill from congestive heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bronchitis is just a term we throw around for people who have a new cough, and it is not really that well defined.

Answered 12/10/2015

2.9k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Is bronchitis bacterial or viral?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Is bronchitis a bacteria infection or a viral infection?

5 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

A member asked:

Can strep bacteria cause bronchitis?

A doctor has provided 1 answer