Pneumonia Symptoms and Treatment in Milton, DE

Some illnesses come and go based on the season. For example, flu season usually runs from October through May. Pneumonia doesn’t have a specific season and can come on at any time. It can also be severe, with approximately 50,000 Americans dying from pneumonia each year. Find out how to detect pneumonia and when to seek treatment at Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center.

Risk Factors for Severe Pneumonia

You don’t have to be at high risk to develop pneumonia. Even so, some groups are at higher risk for both developing the illness and having severe complications.

Immune systems take time to develop fully, putting children under the age of two at an increased risk of pneumonia. On the other hand, immune responses weaken as people age, so adults 65 and over are also at a high risk of contracting and getting seriously ill from pneumonia.

Other risk factors include smoking cigarettes, using drugs and alcohol, and spending time in crowded places. Also, the risk increases with certain medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS.

Signs of Pneumonia

You can experience mild to severe pneumonia symptoms based on factors that include your overall health, age, and immune response. Some possible symptoms of pneumonia include:

• Bluish lips or nailbeds
• Chills, sweating, and fever
• Cough with or without mucus
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid, shallow breathing and shortness of breath
• Stabbing pain in the chest that intensifies when coughing or taking deep breaths
• Weakness

Children and adults experience many of the same symptoms, but kids are more likely to have nausea and vomiting when fighting pneumonia. Also, older adults are more susceptible to confusion due to pneumonia.

Diagnosing Pneumonia

Pneumonia shares some of the same symptoms as the flu, so you’ll need to be evaluated to get diagnosed. Your doctor will do a complete examination, including listening to your lungs, and will likely order some tests to confirm the diagnosis. Standard tests for pneumonia include a chest X-ray, blood tests, and blood cultures. These are just some possible tests, and more may be ordered if you’re at high risk for developing severe illness.

Pneumonia Treatment

Your doctor can prescribe prescription medication to treat your pneumonia at home if your symptoms are mild and you aren’t at high risk for complications. Since most cases of pneumonia are bacterial, antibiotics are typically used to treat the illness. Antibiotics work quickly, with most people feeling better within 24-72 hours. Still, taking the entire course of antibiotics is essential to prevent a recurrence.

While not as severe as bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia can cause uncomfortable, flu-like symptoms. Your doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to fight the infection if it is caused by the coronavirus, influenza, or herpes viruses. You also might receive a prescription for corticosteroids to speed up your recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Steroids and antiviral medicine are more effective when the infection is caught and treated early.

Many people can manage viral pneumonia without taking prescription medication, though. Depending on your overall health and symptoms, your doctor may recommend that you manage the virus at home with over-the-counter medication, rest, and fluids.

Fungal pneumonia isn’t common, but you’re at risk if you have a compromised or weak immune system. You might be able to treat it at home with anti-fungal medicine, but if your immune system is compromised, staying in the hospital could be necessary.

Hospitalization for Pneumonia

If you visit urgent care or the ER to treat a severe case of pneumonia, you may be admitted to the hospital. You can receive medicine and fluids through an IV for faster treatment and hydration. Also, your doctor can address breathing issues in hospitals with oxygen therapy or a ventilator in severe cases.

Fast Pneumonia Treatment in Milton

At Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center, our primary goal is to provide the residents of Sussex County with exceptional service and the proper billing for the care they need. Our combined emergency room and urgent care in Milton are fully equipped to handle everything from allergies to chest pain 24/7 with on-site labs, X-ray, ultrasound and CT.

Every patient at our ER and urgent care walk-in clinic is seen by an ER-trained physician at every visit, regardless of the level of care they need. Our approach makes care more affordable by avoiding the higher cost of the emergency room if patients only require urgent care services. Our ER and urgent care clinic is open 24/7.

Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center is located at 18383 Hudson Road, Milton, DE 19968.