Did you know that pneumonia was the 10th leading cause of death in New Mexico in 2017? Since then, it’s dropped off the top 10 list but continues to pose a severe threat. If you think you have a lung infection, it’s essential to get medical treatment from the emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care provider, depending on the severity. Thus, learn more about the symptoms and treatment, so you’ll be ready to get help if needed.
Symptoms of Pneumonia
Some of the common pneumonia symptoms include:
- Persistent cough that can produce yellow, greenish, or bloody mucus
- Fever
- Shaking
- Chills
- Sweating
- Difficulty breathing
- Stabbing or sharp pain in the chest that intensifies when coughing or breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Vomiting
Illness Progression
You can suffer from bacterial, viral, or fungal pneumonia. While the three share symptoms, the progression of the illness differs based on the cause.
Most often, pneumonia is due to a bacterial infection. As the most serious of the three, you can expect severe symptoms that come on suddenly or gradually. It’s possible to develop a fever up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and intense rapid breathing with this condition.
The symptoms of viral pneumonia come on slowly, so you might feel progressively worse for several days. Initially, your symptoms will be much like you’d expect with the flu. However, you can develop a high fever, shortness of breath, and other severe problems within several days.
Fungal infections can mirror both viral and bacterial pneumonia. Because of that, a proper diagnosis is needed to provide the right treatment.
Go to the ER If You’re at High Risk of Severe Illness
Some people are at a higher risk of developing severe illness with pneumonia, leading to death if left untreated. Thus, go to the emergency room if:
- Your young child has pneumonia symptoms
- You are 65 years of age or older
- You have a condition or are taking medication that makes you immunocompromised
Emergency Symptoms
Regardless of your risk level, you need emergency treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Breathing difficulties, including rapid breathing
- Cough with blood or pus
- High fever
- Significant chest pain and dizziness
- Persistent vomiting
- Confusion
- Bluish tint to your skin, fingernails, or lips
The medical team will diagnose the cause of the illness and provide treatment. You might require intravenous fluids, medication to fight the infection, oxygen therapy, and breathing treatments.
Treating Pneumonia at Home
You should go to urgent care or your primary care provider if you have mild to moderate symptoms. Then you’ll need to recover at home. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids because you can become dehydrated due to the illness. Also, get lots of rest so your body can fight the infection, and take over-the-counter medicines to address fever and coughing.
Because your airways will be inflamed, consider drinking warm beverages and placing a humidifier in your house. Also, stay away from smoke while letting your lungs heal.
Get Immediate Treatment for Pneumonia
If the condition feels like an emergency, call 911. If you’re experiencing pneumonia symptoms, seek medical attention and visit PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care.
Unlike most ERs or urgent care centers in the area, PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care in Albuquerque, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER and urgent care are open 24 hours a day, every day. No appointment is required for in-person visits.
PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care has four convenient locations:
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Paseo/San Pedro is located at 6400 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, and may be reached at 505-596-2100.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Coors/Western Trail is located at 4515 Coors Blvd. NW Albuquerque, NM 87120, and may be reached at 505-596-2200.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Isleta/Rio Bravo is located at 3436 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105, and may be reached at 505-596-2300.
- PRESNow 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Care Menaul/Pennsylvania is located at 7400 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, and may be reached at 505-596-2400.
