Bacterial vs. Viral Respiratory Infections
When a common cold or flu spirals out of control, or when a virus morphs into a secondary, bacterial infection, the sinuses, trachea, bronchial tubes or lungs may become infected with a respiratory infection. Most people have experienced a respiratory tract infection in their lifetime, and springtime often creates conditions that are ripe for the outbreak of these kinds of infections. At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, we commonly diagnose and treat seasonal respiratory conditions.
“Pollen can be an irritant that sets off allergies and escalates respiratory conditions,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “We also see a lot of colds and flus this time of year, even with our current focus on social distancing, masks and handwashing. Respiratory infections often develop in the aftermath of colds and flus and need medical intervention.”
What is a respiratory infection?
A respiratory infection occurs when a virus or bacteria takes over the sinuses, throat, airway or lungs. As you may have guessed, a viral respiratory infection is caused by a virus while a bacterial respiratory infection is caused by bacteria. This is usually the result of a secondary infection that takes place after a viral infection.
Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics, but there are some antiviral drugs that can be used to treat viruses if the outbreak is treated within the first 24 hours.
Respiratory infections are classified as upper and lower. Upper respiratory tract infections affect the sinuses, throat, pharynx and larynx. Lower respiratory tract infections affect the trachea, bronchioles and lungs.
Symptoms of a respiratory infection
Different respiratory infections have different symptoms, but most include some of these:
- Fever, chills
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Sinus drainage
- Congestion
- Cough – dry or wet
- Shortness of breath
- Painful breathing
- Sore throat
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish tinge to skin
- Hoarseness
- Fatigue
Is a respiratory infection contagious?
“Many kinds of respiratory infections are highly contagious,” said Dr. Khan. “An example would be SARS that originated in China and spread rapidly to scan the globe. It is a good idea to treat any kind of respiratory infection as contagious and to try to keep it from spreading from airborne particles or through contact.”
Treatment for respiratory infections
Depending on the severity of the respiratory infection, over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers are often the starting point. If your rapid-results lab at Medco ER determines the infection is bacterial, then an antibiotic may be prescribed. Oxygen supplementation may also be used.
Get help fast at Medco ER & Urgent Care
With the convenience of a freestanding ER and little-to-no wait, Medco ER & Urgent Care offers some of the best medical care for respiratory infections. Our board-certified physicians are experienced in diagnosing and treating a range of respiratory conditions. With our help, you can soon be on the path to breathing easy again.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
The Persistent Cough: Bronchitis
It’s that time of year. If the flu or a cold hasn’t gotten to you yet, seasonal allergies likely have. But what do you do when that cough you developed from the sniffles just won’t go away? It’s possible that your illness or allergies could have developed into bronchitis.
What is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis occurs when the respiratory tract is triggered either by an irritant or preexisting condition, causing your bronchial tubes to become inflamed. Because your bronchial tubes carry air to your lungs, those with bronchitis often suffer from a cough that brings up mucus, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and even a low-grade fever. If you experience this condition over an extended length of time or the condition recurs, you might be suffering from chronic bronchitis, a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
What are the symptoms?
Those who are suffering from bronchitis can have symptoms varying in severity over a varied amount of time. Those who experience symptoms for at least three months or more and experience recurring bouts are typically diagnosed with chronic, rather than acute, bronchitis.
Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis:
- Chest Congestion or tightness
- Cough that brings up thick, hard to break up, clear, yellow or green mucus
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Body aches
Those suffering from acute bronchitis will often present symptoms similar to a cold or the flu at first before developing a cough. Most acute bronchitis symptoms last less than ten days, but the cough might linger for several weeks.
Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis:
- Cough that brings up thick, hard to break up, clear, yellow or green mucus
- Cough that lasts longer than three months
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty Breathing
- Chest tightness
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Chills
- Body aches
You may have chronic bronchitis if your acute bronchitis symptoms worsen and your cough persists for longer than three months. If left untreated, chronic bronchitis can develop into much more severe conditions like pneumonia and peripheral edema.
What causes bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis can be caused by a virus, bacteria or an airborne irritant. The most common cause of acute bronchitis is a contagious virus such as a cold or the flu. Still, the condition can be triggered by environmental factors such as pollution, allergens, smoke, fumes, dust and vapors. The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking, but not everyone who suffers from chronic bronchitis is a smoker. Other factors such as asthma, allergies, air quality, genetics, a history of respiratory disease, or a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, may make you more likely to develop acute or chronic bronchitis.
When should I get help?
If you think you may be experiencing chronic bronchitis, you must seek treatment as prolonged irritation can cause lung and airway tissue damage and even develop into pneumonia or other conditions such as emphysema. Because chronic bronchitis restricts airflow to the lungs when left untreated, the condition causes low oxygen levels in the blood leading to complications such as peripheral edema.
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you should seek emergency medical help immediately.
- Extreme changes in body temperature dipping below 95°F or rising above 104°F
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Nails and lips begin turning grey or blue
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or Confusion
- Coughing up blood or blood in your mucus
- Inability to swallow
- Chest pain
- Swelling of the feet or hands (peripheral edema)
If you think you might have bronchitis of any severity or you think you might be experiencing a complication related to your bronchitis, come to a Medco ER & Urgent Care for treatment. Our advanced technology, board-certified physicians, and highly trained nurses make Medco ER & Urgent Care the best place to treat anything from acute to chronic bronchitis and even breathing emergencies. Our locations in Plano and Frisco are open 24 hours a day seven days a week for all urgent care and emergency services. With little to no wait time and no appointment needed, you won’t have to wait to start feeling better. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit one of our locations in Plano or Frisco.