If you have an ongoing cough or difficulty breathing, especially after being sick with a cold, flu, or COVID-19, you could have pneumonia. At PrimeMD, with locations in North Columbus, Newark, Lancaster, Westerville, Kenton, Marion, Wilmington, Dublin, and New Albany, Ohio, the expert medical team can diagnose and treat pneumonia to get you on the road to recovery. Call the nearest office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Pneumonia is a type of infection that inflames air sacs in your lungs. The sacs could also fill with pus or fluid, causing breathing problems and a variety of other unpleasant symptoms. Treatment can help you recover as quickly as possible and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
Ask your PrimeMD specialist about flu, COVID-19, or other vaccines that may protect you against getting pneumonia.
Common symptoms you may experience with pneumonia include:
Complications that may occur because of untreated pneumonia include bacteria in your bloodstream, severe shortness of breath, fluid accumulation near your lungs, and pus-filled lung abscesses.
Anyone can develop pneumonia, but some things increase your risk of developing it. Bacteria, bacteria-like organisms, fungi, a cold, the flu, or COVID-19 viruses can all contribute to developing pneumonia.
Risk factors include being older than 65, being younger than two years old, using a ventilator, having a chronic disease, smoking, and having a weak immune system.
To find out if you have pneumonia and develop an effective treatment, your PrimeMD specialist discusses your symptoms and medical history. They check your vital signs and complete a physical exam to assess your overall health, listen to your lungs and heartbeat, and check for abnormal sounds when you breathe.
Your provider could order blood tests, chest X-rays, CT scans, pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen, or sputum tests that analyze a sample of phlegm after you cough it up.
Common treatments your provider could recommend if you have pneumonia include:
Get plenty of rest, drink a lot of fluids, take medications as directed by your doctor, and avoid strenuous activity until they give you the okay.
Your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce unpleasant symptoms and speed up your recovery from pneumonia.
If you have a severe case of pneumonia, you may need care in a hospital to help you make a full recovery. You might need to use a ventilator to assist with your breathing.
At the first sign of pneumonia, schedule an appointment with PrimeMD by phone or online.
