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Pneumonia

This is an infection of the lungs. It causes inflammation of the air sacs in either one or both lungs.

What is Pneumonia?

This is an infection of the lungs. It causes inflammation of the air sacs in either one or both lungs. There are many germs that can cause this sickness but mainly bacteria and viruses that are in the air we breathe is the most common cause. Typically, our bodies fight off these germs but if your immune system weakens, this can cause pneumonia.

Pneumonia can be severe in older adults and young children, those with weak immune systems can also be affected greatly. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Viral pneumonia can be caused by other illnesses like the measles, influenzas’ (flu), or chickenpox. At WellCare Urgent Care center we can help identify the cause of your pneumonia and give you proper treatment.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Sweating
  • Chills
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Chest Pain
  • Shortness of Breath

Treatment of Pneumonia

There are various treatments used for pneumonia. The treatment used will depend on the type and severity of your illness as well as your age and overall health.

The various treatment options are:

  • Antibiotics
  • Cough Medicine
  • Fever Reducers

No matter what type of medications are used to treat your pneumonia it is important to remember to get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Pneumonia can be life-threatening to those who are either very young, elderly or have weak immune symptoms. If this is the case for you then you should visit an emergency room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have pneumonia without symptoms?

While both bacterial and viral pneumonia typically come with symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, walking pneumonia often has much milder symptoms, and in some cases, there are no symptoms at all.

How long is pneumonia contagious for?

It depends on the type of pneumonia you have. If you're dealing with bacterial pneumonia, you are no longer contagious once your fever is gone. With viral pneumonia, you are considered no longer contagious when you feel better, and your fever has been gone for several days.

How long do you feel weak after pneumonia?

You may continue to feel tired or weak for about a month after having pneumonia.

What types of pneumonia are contagious?

Both viral and bacterial pneumonia are contagious. Viral pneumonia is contagious until you start to feel better, and bacterial pneumonia is contagious until your fever goes away. Bacterial pneumonia also stops being contagious about 48 hours after taking antibiotics.

Is there a type of pneumonia that's worse than others?

Bacterial pneumonia is typically more severe than viral pneumonia.

Who is most at risk for pneumonia?

Children two years old and younger, adults over the age of 65, and those with a weakened immune system are more at risk for pneumonia.

How long does it take to recover from pneumonia?

The time it takes to recover from pneumonia differs from person to person and can depend on the severity of the pneumonia, but with proper treatment, most people feel better after 2-4 weeks.

What is walking pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is a milder infection and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Symptoms include tiredness, sore throat, chest pain, and fever. Because the symptoms are mild, many patients go about their regular activities without knowing they have pneumonia.

How can I prevent pneumonia?

A few ways to prevent pneumonia include getting the pneumonia vaccine, washing your hands after going to the bathroom, sticking to a healthy lifestyle, and quitting smoking.

What is the difference between viral and bacterial pneumonia?

Besides one being caused by bacteria and the other by a virus, they also differ in their severity and symptoms. Viral pneumonia is milder of the two and comes with cough, wheezing, fever, and chills. Bacterial pneumonia is more severe and comes with fever, fatigue, cough, headache, muscle pain, and shortness of breath.

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Come into WellCare

If you think you have pneumonia it is important to seek care from a medical professional. Although pneumonia is fairly common, it can be life-threatening. Visit WellCare Urgent Care center in Grand Rapids to get a proper diagnosis and treatment started. You can schedule a same-day appointment online at our Cascade and Leonard locations.

Should I visit Urgent Care or Emergency Room?

Urgent Care

When you have any medical condition that is non-life threatening or have general medical needs, then an Urgent Care center can take care of these. WellCare Urgent Care takes care of a variety of medical concerns such as the flu, vaccinations, physicals, allergy symptoms, and more.

WellCare Urgent care is convenient because it is quick and cost-effective.

Average visit time: 1 hour
Average cost: $150

Common Conditions We Treat

Emergency Room

Emergency care is necessary when you are suffering from a life-threatening condition. This could be a heart attack, stroke, head injury, or other trauma that requires more advanced treatment. If you or someone you love has a life-threatening illness or injury, then you need to call 911 and get to the closest Emergency Room.

Emergency Rooms, while the best option for serious trauma, do take time and are costly.

Average Time Spent: 4.5 hours
Average Cost Per Visit: $1700

Emergency Conditions

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