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Pneumonia can be a severe illness to certain groups of people. For most relatively healthy adults, it can have you feeling fatigued and very sick for a few days. AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst can diagnose and recommend the best treatment options for you if you think you have pneumonia. Learn about the general illnesses and injuries we treat if you have more questions.
Symptoms of pneumonia
Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of things. The most common cause is due to the flu or other illness, such as COVID-19. When your immune system is fighting off one virus, it becomes weakened, allowing pneumonia to set in. Children, the elderly, and those with immunodeficiency disorders are at the highest risk of complications that may result in hospitalization. Signs you have pneumonia can include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
- Fever, with or without chills or body aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
Be sure to monitor your symptoms, they should begin to get better after a few days. If you are having a difficult time breathing, you should seek medical attention. If you have a persistent fever for more than a few days, visit an urgent care to get a proper diagnosis.
Treatment to help symptoms
One way that can help prevent pneumonia is the flu vaccine. Since viruses typically cause pneumonia, getting a flu shot can prevent you from getting sick at all. AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst offers flu vaccines on a walk-in basis. In addition to the flu vaccine, get plenty of rest whenever you are sick. This gives your immune system time to heal and fight off the virus. Be sure to eat well and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
If you have a cough that produces mucus, try not to take cough suppressants, as coughing the body’s way of removing an illness. Drinking peppermint tea can help ease a cough, as well as elevating your head while sleeping. Use a humidifier throughout the day and at night to add moisture to the air and back to your lungs. Ibuprofen can also help reduce any fever but, similar to cough suppressant, do not take for more than a few days. If you take medication to reduce your fever every day, you may miss warning signs your symptoms are getting worse.
In some cases, it can take months to truly recover from pneumonia. It is a very serious illness that should not be taken lightly. Call or visit AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst for a proper diagnosis and more treatment options.
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