How can you differentiate between bronchitis and pneumonia? a chest x-ray 3 days ago was neg. but i am increasingly winded despite being on nebulizer

Pneumonia: Part of the definition is that you must have involvement of the lung tissues with the inflammatory process and this usually produces changes on imaging studies. On rare occasions the first chest film will be negative until you are adequately hydrated. You should be seen by a pulmonary specialist asap. Hope you are better soon.

Appearance on X-ray: Pneumonia is infected cells and debris filling the alveoli of the lungs. Bronchitis is infected cells within the airways. At x-rays and ct, pneumonia manifests as fluid attenuating the x-ray beam producing whiteness in an alveolar distribution. Bronchitis manifests as interlobular septal prominence and bronchial wall thickening. Usually antibiotic therapy is similar for both.