As if flu season isn’t enough, you also need to watch out for another respiratory infection that is making its rounds in and around Gastonia—pneumonia.
Our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia want you to know how to recognize the symptoms of pneumonia so that you can seek medical attention as soon as possible!
What Are the Four Stages of Pneumonia?
Did you know? There are four stages of pneumonia, which are consolidation, red hepatization, grey hepatization and resolution.
Pneumonia, which is a lung disease, occurs when there is inflammation of the air spaces within the lung because of an infection. While pneumonia can be either a viral or bacterial infection, it is most commonly a bacterial infection, which means it is important to recognize symptoms so that you can get on an antibiotic as soon as possible for treatment!
Early Signs of Pneumonia
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Sharp or stabbing chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Low energy
- Fatigue
How Long Is Pneumonia Contagious?
Depending on the type of pneumonia you have, you may or may not be contagious. Yet because it can be contagious, it is important to make sure you are covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, as well as staying away from others while symptoms persist.
Then, once you start an antibiotic, you are only contagious for the next 24 to 48 hours. Fortunately, while you still might be fighting the symptoms of pneumonia for a few more days, you should not be contagious to others.
Good Hygiene Habits
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Cough and/or sneeze into a tissue.
- Avoid sharing cups or kitchen utensils with others.
- Regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
Our mission at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia is to provide affordable, high-quality health care to those in our community!
