The main difference between a chest infection and pneumonia is the part of the respiratory system that’s affected and the type of infection:
Chest infection
A general term for an infection in the lungs or airways. The two most common types of chest infections are bronchitis and pneumonia.
Pneumonia
An infection that attacks the air sacs in the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid and pus. Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial infection, but it can also be viral or fungal.
Other differences between bronchitis and pneumonia include:
Treatment
Bronchitis usually clears up on its own after a few weeks, while pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms
Both infections can cause a cough and make it hard to breathe, but pneumonia can also cause a higher fever and chest pain.
Spread
Chest infections are usually spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Risk factors
Young children, the elderly, people who are ill, and smokers are most at risk for chest infections.
It’s often difficult to tell the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia without a diagnosis from a doctor. Prompt medical care can help you get back to your normal life as soon as possible