Cold and flu season is officially upon us… which means a lot of sick days and urgent care visits for many. During the winter months, there are many viruses that spread in our communities that can cause similar symptoms, including congestion, cough, and fever. With all of the similar symptoms, it’s difficult to diagnose illnesses on your own.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth to have your symptoms accurately diagnosed and receive comprehensive treatment from our team of medical providers. If left undiagnosed or untreated, a common cold can develop into something more severe, like pneumonia. Knowing the signs of pneumonia can help you know when to seek treatment, so visit the walk-in clinic today for quality urgent care services.
Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia
Many of us are aware of the symptoms that accompany a common cold– primarily being a disruptive cough, sneeze and congestion. Pneumonia can develop as a secondary bacterial infection after an untreated cold, and has more severe symptoms.
The common symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
It can be easy to mistake pneumonia as an ongoing cold that won’t go away. Sometimes, pneumonia symptoms are mild which causes the illness to go undiagnosed in many cases. However, to prevent serious complications it’s important that patients visit AFC Elizabeth to have their symptoms examined by a professional.
Prevention Measures
Preventing complications from a cold or another illness is essential to avoiding serious complications that could lead to hospitalization– especially in those with weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions. To best prevent your cold from developing into pneumonia, practicing good hygiene goes a long way. This means to employ frequent hand washing, sanitizing, and to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Additionally, ensure that you’re up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations, including flu shots. Many illnesses spread through droplets in the air, which makes it all the more important to protect yourself in close proximity to other people. For more information about preventive health measures, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Elizabeth any day of the week for wellness guidance.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
If you think you have begun to develop any symptoms of pneumonia, you should seek medical care before the illness worsens. Taking advantage of the urgent care services at AFC Elizabeth is a great way to stay on track of your health goals and to stay well throughout the cold and flu season. If you have difficulty breathing, have chest pain, a high fever, or a cough that worsens throughout the week you should seek treatment as soon as possible.
If you are in a high-risk group for illness complications, such as older adults, young children, people with an underlying health condition, or people with weakened immune systems, it’s especially important to receive medical care. Pneumonia can quickly become a life-threatening condition if left untreated.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth for Diagnosis & Treatment
Whenever you’re feeling under the weather, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth for same-day diagnosis and treatment. With our experienced medical providers and our labs on-site, you and your family can receive quality and convenient urgent care services. We accept many insurances and offer low-costs for our self-pay patients. If you have any additional questions about pneumonia treatment, or other preventative health services we provide, please call us directly at (908) 677-5900 or book an appointment online today.
