Bronchitis (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Bronchitis Overview
- Bronchitis Causes
- Bronchitis Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Bronchitis Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Pictures of Bronchitis - Slideshow
- Asthma Myths Quiz - Slideshow
- Viewer Comments: Bronchitis - Length Symptoms Lasted
Exams and Tests
Doctors diagnose bronchitis generally on the basis of symptoms and a physical examination.
- Usually no blood tests are necessary.
- If the doctor suspects the patient has pneumonia, a chest x-ray may be ordered.
- Doctors may measure the patient's oxygen saturation (how well oxygen is reaching blood cells) using a sensor placed on a finger.
- Sometimes a doctor may order an examination and/or culture of a sample of phlegm coughed up to look for bacteria.
Next: Bronchitis Treatment »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Bronchitis - Length Symptoms Lasted
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
How long did the symptoms of your bronchitis last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?
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Bronchitis »
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, or bronchi.
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