“How do you know if bronchitis turns into pneumonia?”

Symptoms will get more severe. Pain moves from upper to lower areas and a feeling of drowning when laying down.

Your doctor must determine this. Symptoms would include shortness of breath, and a productive cough. High fever, an abnormal chest exam, and elevated white blood cell count may be present and suggestive. Ultimately, a chest X-ray would confirm the diagnosis.

William Z. Cohen, M.D., FAAFP