At the Urgent Care at Vermont, we treat bronchitis, pneumonia, and influenza patients. Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchi (the lungs’ main airways) that causes them to become inflamed and irritated. Pneumonia is inflammation or swelling of the lung tissue, usually caused by a virus or bacterial infection. Influenza or flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
Bronchitis
Most cases of bronchitis happen when the airways become irritated by an infection and they produce more mucus than usual, which the body then tries to expel by coughing. Symptoms include:
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Blocked or runny nose
- Tiredness
- Aches and pains
Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is a temporary airway inflammation that can last up to 3 weeks. It mostly affects young children and is more common in winter after a cold, sore throat, or the flu. Chronic bronchitis is a daily cough lasting 3 months of the year for at least 2 years. It mostly affects adults above the age of 40, and is both worse and more likely for smokers.
Most cases of acute bronchitis can be treated at home with rest, NSAIDs, and plenty of fluids. It’s time to come to us for treatment if:
- The cough is severe or lasts longer than 3 weeks
- A high fever persists longer than 3 days, which could indicate flu or pneumonia
- You find streaks of blood in the mucus you cough up
- There is an underlying heart or lung condition
- You’re becoming more breathless
- You’ve had multiple episodes of bronchitis
Pneumonia
Symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Cough
- Breathing trouble
- Rapid heartbeat
- High temperature
- General feeling of unwellness
- Shivering and sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain that worsens when coughing or breathing
Less common symptoms include:
- Coughing up blood
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Feeling sick
- Wheezing
- Joint and muscle pain
- Confusion and disorientation (particularly for older patients)
Very young and elderly people who develop pneumonia are more likely to need hospital treatment. If you feel unwell and are experiencing pneumonia symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with us. If you have a high temperature and feel too unwell to do your normal activities, you could come in for urgent care. Pneumonia can be cause for a visit to the ER if you are struggling to breathe, coughing up blood, or have blue lips or a blue face.
Influenza
The flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill, particularly infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions. Flu symptoms include:
- A sudden high temperature
- Body aches
- Tiredness or exhaustion
- A dry cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Appetite loss
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Feeling sick
Children with the flu may also have an earache and become less active.
If you have the flu, get plenty of rest, keep warm, take ibuprofen for the aches and pains and to lower your fever, and drink plenty of water to keep up your fluids. A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies, but don’t collect medicine in person while you are contagious. You are most contagious during the first five days, and the flu virus can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
Come see us if you develop flu symptoms and fall into one of the risk groups listed above. Go to the emergency room if you experience sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing, or begin coughing up blood. Minimize the risk of spreading the flu by washing your hands often with warm water and soap, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and avoid contact with other people.