We’ve likely all experienced getting sick with the bug that’s going around and ending up with a nagging cough. But when is a cough more than just a cough? In some cases, pneumonia can develop and become serious. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms to watch for so you can get the help you need. The good news is that urgent care can diagnose and treat pneumonia promptly and effectively.
If you are experiencing pneumonia symptoms or think you may be, you should get help at urgent care for pneumonia. Getting diagnosed and treated early can prevent the worsening of your illness.
Pneumonia Symptoms: What To Watch For
The symptoms of pneumonia in adults can range from mild to severe and depend on the cause of pneumonia, age, and overall health. Symptoms may include:
- Fever (or a lower-than-normal temperature in older adults or immunocompromised people).
- Chills.
- Fatigue.
- Confusion (more common in older adults).
- Coughing (may produce phlegm).
- Chest discomfort when coughing or breathing.
- Shortness of breath.
What Causes Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the alveoli, the tiny sacs where gas exchange occurs in your lungs. There are three primary causes of pneumonia:
- Bacterial Pneumonia. Most commonly caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, this type of pneumonia results from the invasion of the lungs by bacteria. Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause a milder form of pneumonia known as “walking pneumonia.”
- Viral Pneumonia. A variety of viruses, including those that cause the flu or a cold, can also cause pneumonia. In some cases, a COVID-19 infection can result in viral pneumonia.
- Fungal. This type of pneumonia is less common and results from inhalation of fungal organisms. Those with suppressed immune systems or certain chronic conditions are more susceptible to fungal pneumonia.
Can Urgent Care Diagnose Pneumonia?
An urgent care is well-equipped to diagnose a case of pneumonia. When you come to Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care for pneumonia, our experienced team has the resources you need.
Your provider will typically discuss your illness’s course and symptoms, gather vital signs (including heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and oxygen level), and perform a physical exam. Listening to your lungs with a stethoscope enables your provider to detect sounds that may indicate pneumonia.
If indicated, a chest X-ray can be done onsite to check for visual signs of pneumonia in your lungs. Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care also features a lab that can quickly process blood tests and other diagnostic tests to give your provider more information.
Can Urgent Care Treat Pneumonia?
If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, urgent care can often provide pneumonia treatment. Your care will depend on the type of pneumonia you have.
An antibiotic is typically used to treat bacterial pneumonia and can often be taken at home in pill form. Pain and fever-reducing medications like ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may help relieve your symptoms as you heal.
Cough-reducing medications can help reduce bothersome coughing, though these should be used cautiously, as coughing can help to loosen and expel secretions from your lungs.
If you need urgent care for pneumonia, visit Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care. Our three convenient locations in southern Louisiana are ready to provide rapid, quality care every day of the week.