Pneumonia is a respiratory infection affecting the lungs and ranges from mild to severe in seriousness. Most people recover quickly by responding to treatment options provided by doctors, but in some cases, it can be fatal. Pneumonia is important to treat to prevent the infection from worsening and causing internal lung damage. Restricted breathing, such as wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath from an illness, means the body is not receiving enough oxygen to create efficient energy to get us through the day.

The key to recovering from pneumonia is seeking medical attention, where doctors will be able to create a specialized treatment plan to reduce the infection and regain your health. For most individuals, an urgent care clinic can treat pneumonia.

Pneumonia treatment

What Causes Pneumonia?

Pneumonia happens when the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed due to an infection that causes fluid buildup. As a result, the air sacs in the lungs swell or fill with fluid or pus, making breathing difficult.

The onset of pneumonia usually occurs in individuals who already have an illness that causes an upper respiratory infection, like influenza or the common cold. Pneumonia is easier to contract for some individuals who smoke or have underlying medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

Pneumonia is caused by:

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Fungus
  • Aspirating (breathing in) chemicals or other particles

Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia

The symptoms of pneumonia vary depending on its severity, when it was contracted, your age and your immune system’s strength. You may experience one or more of the following:

  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest congestion
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Feeling feverish
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Muscle aches
  • Chills

What Can an Urgent Care Center Do for Pneumonia?

At an urgent care, you can get the same treatment as you would at a regular doctor’s office, except hours of operation are typically longer and considerably flexible in the event of needed immediate treatment.

Symptoms of pneumonia can progress over time or get worse in a matter of hours, which is why it’s important to seek medical attention. An urgent care clinic will be able to examine your medical history, perform a physical exam and order tests to determine the type of pneumonia you have—bacterial or viral—to provide the best treatment plan.

Treatment plans may include any of the following:

  • Rest
  • Hydration
  • OTC medications
  • Antibiotics (for bacterial infections)
  • Antifungal medicines (for pneumonia caused by a fungus)

There are also several ways to prevent getting sick with pneumonia:

  • Wash hands frequently using soap and water
  • Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth to prevent germs from entering the body
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or into the crook of your elbow
  • Clean surfaces regularly so germs don’t spread easily
  • Stay home when you’re ill

If it feels like your condition is an emergency, call 911 immediately. If you’re experiencing pain or pneumonia symptoms, seek medical attention and visit Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care.

Choosing Riverview Health ER & Urgent Care

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care is the only health system in Hamilton County offering ER and urgent care services under one roof. Unlike most ER or urgent care centers, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. The urgent care center is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No appointments are not necessary for in-person visits; however, pre-registration is available.

Riverview Health Emergency Room Urgent Care has five convenient locations: