Most people recover from pneumonia within one to three weeks. But many people are at risk of serious complications that can land them in the hospital or worse. Prevent or get treatment for pneumonia this winter with the help of ER.

About 1 million people yearly seek hospital care for pneumonia and 50,000 die of complications from this infection of the lungs. Don’t be part of these statistics. The expert team at Emergency Room provides early evaluation, diagnosis, and care so your respiratory infections don’t develop into pneumonia. And, if you should come down with the infection, they can get you back to good health soon.

Pneumonia is most serious for people younger than 5 and older than 65, but anyone can develop complications. If you suffer from heart failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or have a weak immune system, it’s also important to catch and treat pneumonia early.

With our ER in Texas, open 24 hours a day, don’t hesitate to come in day or night if you’re suffering from pneumonia symptoms or worry that you have a respiratory condition that could turn into the infection. If you’re in a high-risk group, we also offer some preventive treatments to help keep you from falling ill in the first place.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection that may be caused by a bacteria, fungi, or virus. It causes the lungs to fill up with fluid or pus and to become inflamed. As a result, oxygen has trouble reaching your blood, compromising the function of your cells. As the infection spreads, you may suffer worsening illness and even death.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Pneumonia can cause serious complications, including septic shock, lung abscesses, worsening lung disease, pleural effusions, and renal and respiratory failure. If you have an existing lung disease, pneumonia can worsen it. The infection can spread through your body and affect organs outside of your lungs.

How can ER help?

Diagnosis and treatment

ER can diagnose even mild cases of pneumonia so you know to rest and not push through the illness, thinking it will just get better. The doctors can prescribe antibiotics to clear up a viral infection and fever reducers to help you feel less debilitated. They can also offer cough relief so you can rest.

If you should develop a complication, ER can help with more intensive treatments and hospital admittance, should it be necessary.

Prevention

Prevention is another way in which the team at ER can help. The flu is one of the major infections that develop into pneumonia, so come in for your annual flu shot — especially if you’re in a high-risk group. Staying up to date with other vaccines, including chicken pox and whooping cough, can also make you more resistant to pneumonia.

Emergency Room, a Village Emergency Center facility located in Texas, is open for walk-in patients 24 hours per day, seven days per week. We never close, not even on holidays. A private, freestanding emergency room, ER offers all of the same services and care as a hospital emergency room but with little or no wait time.

If you have symptoms that suggest pneumonia, contact ER immediately. Don’t let your symptoms progress.