Pneumonia is a lung infection, which induces symptoms ranging from moderate to severe. People 1 year or older are at-risk to contracting it, but infants and older patients tend to be the most susceptible. There are two major types of Pneumonia: the general Pneumonia infection and the less-potent strand, referred to as “Walking Pneumonia”.
Walking Pneumonia is most prevalent in children and young adults, as they’re generally confined to schools, which are typically crawling with bacteria due to the amount of people confined to close quarters. Since Pneumonia’s a lung infection, people primarily contract it by breathing in the bacteria that causes the virus. People suffering from Walking Pneumonia can generally just ride out the illness as their bodies will eventually eradicate the infection.
On the other hand, people suffering from the more-severe Pneumonia should consult a doctor, as some of the symptoms can be extremely debilitating. These symptoms include:

• Violent, hollow coughing
• Chills, cold sweats
• Nausea/Fever
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting/Dizziness

It’s important to consult a physician right away if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms since Pneumonia is contagious. While it isn’t quite as contagious as the Flu, many strands of Pneumonia are actually more threatening to your health than the Flu. Patients who are older than 65 or have suffered from severe illnesses in either the heart, lungs or kidney regions should visit a hospital immediately.
For those who feel healthy enough to walk around but are still exhibiting signs of Pneumonia – visit us at AFC Urgent Care Methuen, as we can diagnose Pneumonia and administer antibiotics if necessary. Treating most Pneumonia strands – including Walking Pneumonia – can be predominantly accomplished using antibiotics. However, for patients with weaker immune systems (older patients/patients suffering from chronic diseases), hospitals will need to identify the specific organism that is infecting the host.
Visit us anytime of the week as we’re open seven days a week at extended hours and are more-than-happy to accommodate any walk-ins during business hours. If your Pneumonia proves severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, our board-certified staff will direct you in the right direction and provide you with all the pertinent information to best prepare you.
Call us now at 978-975-0700 for more information!