Colds are common conditions that usually cause mild symptoms. It may be tempting to push through cold symptoms and continue on with your daily routine. However, although colds are typically mild, they can sometimes lead to secondary infections such as bronchitis, sinus infections, and even pneumonia. Keep reading to learn more about how colds can turn into more serious infections and how to avoid complications arising from a common cold. If you’re feeling sick, AFC Urgent Care Burlington is here to provide patients in Burlington, MA with same-day illness care! We’re open 7 days a week and never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you!
Difference Between a Cold and Pneumonia
If you’re feeling sick, it might be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Colds are mild illnesses that can cause upper respiratory-related symptoms such as a cough, sneezing, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Colds are very contagious, although they typically resolve on their own with time and rest. In most cases, cold symptoms should resolve in under two weeks.
Pneumonia is an upper respiratory infection that can occur as a result of a cold. Pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection that can occur when your immune system is weakened by a cold. Pneumonia causes more severe symptoms such as chest pain, wheezing, fever, and a productive cough.
Signs of a Secondary Infection
Although developing a secondary infection from a cold doesn’t happen in every case, it is important to be aware of signs that you could be developing pneumonia following a cold. If your symptoms continue to gradually worsen, or last more than 2 weeks, it could be a symptom of a secondary infection. If your symptoms are severe, you should seek medical care to rule out a secondary infection. While cold symptoms will linger for up to two weeks, colds do not cause severe symptoms such as a fever or a productive cough. It is important to monitor your symptoms of a secondary infection and act quickly by seeking medical care if you suspect you could be developing a secondary infection.
When to Seek Medical Care
If you’re experiencing cold symptoms that are worsening over time, or your symptoms have become severe, you may have developed a secondary infection like pneumonia. Pneumonia requires a medical diagnosis and treatment. Without proper treatment, pneumonia can cause long-lasting damage to the lungs. Treatment typically includes prescription antibiotics, but additional supportive care may be necessary depending on the severity of the case.
Walk Into AFC Burlington for Same-Day Treatment
At AFC Urgent Care Burlington, we make it easy to receive rapid care for worsening illness symptoms. Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to diagnose common conditions like pneumonia. We work with most medical insurance providers to ensure that our care is both affordable and accessible to patients in the Burlington, MA area. We never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, simply walk into the clinic for rapid same-day care when it’s convenient for you!
