emergency room Plano Tag

5 Different Coughs in Children

When you put your child to bed and all is well but later you hear him or her coughing—sounding like a bark—what do you do? Is it just a passing thing or is the cough something dangerous? Our board-certified physicians at Medco ER have some suggestions as you decide what kind of cough your child has and what you should do about it.

Wet Cough

A wet, garbled-sounding cough that sometimes produces mucus could be caused by a cold. If your child has a fever and runny nose, then this is likely. If it has lasted for days and is accompanied by phlegm, tightness in the chest, and fever, it could be pneumonia or a sinus infection.

“A good rule of thumb here is to watch your child’s comfort level. If he or she is coughing up mucus and is able to breathe normally in-between coughs and is relatively at ease, you can probably wait it out. If the child has a high fever, is wheezing or pulling hard to breathe and is miserable, it’s time to come to Medco ER,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan.

Dry Cough

A cough that doesn’t produce mucus and just seems to hang around could be caused by colds, asthma, irritants in the air, bronchitis, Covid 19, or allergies. For chronic coughers, try using air purifiers to reduce dust, pollen, pet dander, mold and smoke.

Wheezing Cough

A cough accompanied by a wheezing breath or a rattling sound could mean that the child’s airways are being blocked or inflamed. This could be caused by a cold, infection, or asthma.

Barking Cough

A harsh, barking cough could mean your child is suffering from croup. It is often accompanied by stuffy nose and a fever. The airways swell, causing the voice box and windpipe to become swollen and irritated. A high-pitched, squeaky sound can accompany the breathing in between the barking cough. If your child starts breathing rapidly, struggling to breathe, or has a blueish tinge around the lips, come to Medco ER right away.¹

Whooping Cough

If the cough is a hacking, hard cough that is followed by a strange whooping sound as the child breathes in, it is called Whooping Cough or Pertussis and requires antibiotics to treat. It may include a runny nose, watery eyes and fever.

When to go to the ER

“Any time a cough has gone on and on and doesn’t respond to any common treatments, you should bring your child in to Medco ER,” said Dr. Khan. “If there are any concerning things like a fever, green/yellow mucus, blood, wheezing, chest pain or difficulty breathing, come in right away. Infants, especially, should be brought in right away.”

Warning signs:

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Tightness in chest
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Persistent cough lasting longer than 3 weeks
• Blood in mucus
• Barking cough
• Dehydration
• Rapid breathing
• Blue tinge to skin

Medco ER is Open 24/7

When your child’s cough is concerning and doesn’t seem to respond to steam, fluids and cough syrup, Medco ER is here to help. You can walk in any time, day or night, and enjoy our little-to-no-wait medical service. Our physicians are ready to bring some of the best medical care in the area to your child.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17755-cough

When is Fever an Emergency?

A fever is an elevated body temperature that is part of the body’s response to something else, like an infection. As one of the most common reasons people go to the emergency room (ER), fevers are in the spotlight today and the physicians at Medco ER have some tips to help you know when to go to the ER for a fever.

Temperature Range

While each body is different and can vary slightly in normal range of temperature, the average body temperature has been designated as 98.6˚ F (37˚ C). If taken by mouth, a temperature of 100˚ F (37.8˚ C) or higher is considered a fever.¹

Causes

A fever can be caused by any of a number of conditions. Most often, it is caused by an infection. Less often, a condition such as an autoimmune disorder or cancer can cause a low-grade fever. It can also be caused by medications or some vaccinations.²

“A fever can be the first indicator that something is wrong,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “If you have strep, a urinary tract infection, the flu, or a sinus infection, your body’s immune system will be in high gear which is manifested as a fever.”

Symptoms

A fever can be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms including:

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomachache
• Difficulty or pain when urinating
• Rash
• Stiff neck
• Swollen glands
• Sweating
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Weakness
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• Weakness

“If any of these accompanying symptoms seem unusual, alarming or persistent, come to Medco ER right away,” said Dr. Khan.

How to Take Your Temperature

There are a variety of thermometers available today including ones for oral, rectal, forehead and ear. The most accurate place to get a temperature reading is the rectum and the least accurate place is the armpit.²

Most physicians recommend using a digital thermometer for an oral temperature reading. Write down the temperature, the device used and the location on the body to tell your physician.

Go to the ER

Fevers are especially concerning in infants and toddlers. Come to the ER if your infant has a temperature higher than 100˚ F. If your baby is 3 to 24 months old and has a temperature of 102˚ F or higher, come to the ER. If your baby has a fever and is sluggish, irritable, uncomfortable and listless, come to Medco ER for an evaluation.

If your baby or child has a runny nose, cough, diarrhea or vomiting along with a fever, seek help from a physician. If the fever has lasted more than 3 days, it’s time to seek medical help.

Warning signs include: listlessness, confusion, unable to awaken, loss of consciousness, change in speech, difficulty breathing, seizure, abdominal pain, painful urination, headache, stiff neck, rash, dehydration, or repeated vomiting.

“You know your child,” said Dr. Khan. “If he or she is especially uncomfortable with a fever, you know something is going on. Don’t hesitate to bring her to Medco ER for an evaluation.”

Medco ER is Open 24/7

Fevers don’t follow a schedule and neither does Medco ER. We are open all day and night—every day of the year—to make sure you have fast access to some of the best medical care in the area. Our rapid results labs can detect many infections and help target treatments to get you or your child on the road to recovery.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759

² https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10880-fever

What You Need to Know About RSV and Your Baby

Your baby may look like he or she has a common cold with a fever and runny nose, but it could be something much more serious like Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly known as RSV. According to the American Lung Association, nearly 100% of all infants are infected with RSV before the age of two.¹ Because of the prevalence of RSV in the fall and winter months, the medical professionals at Medco ER have some tips to help you know what to look for if your baby gets sick.

Each year, approximately 58,000 to 80,000 children in the United States are hospitalized from RSV.² Infants and premature infants are at a higher risk of contracting the RSV infection. It is a highly contagious and easily transmittable virus. It can be picked up from handling contaminated objects or by being on the receiving end of someone coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms

While infants or babies may not show all of the most common symptoms, parents should watch out for listlessness, decreased appetite, fussiness and changes in breathing. Infants with RSV may require a hospital stay.³

Here are some other symptoms of RSV:

• Runny nose
• Fever
• Cough
• Blueish lips and fingernails
• Short, shallow breathing
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing, caving of chest to pull hard
• Flared nostrils
• Irritability
• Listlessness
• Not eating or drinking as usual
• Coughing

Testing and Treatment

Your physician may order a test to check white blood cell counts and to look for viruses to confirm an RSV diagnosis. A person infected with RSV may experience additional complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia or dehydration.

“If your baby or child is sick with a fever and runny nose,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan, “bring him or her in right away to be checked. Because RSV is so common and can quickly escalate into an emergency, it’s good to be checked out right away. In Texas, the cases of RSV in infants are on the rise, so it’s time for parents to be extra cautious.”

Red Flags

“If your baby has a fever, is not eating or drinking well, has a cough, or is wheezing or breathing hard, bring him or her into Medco ER right away,” said Dr. Khan. “Listlessness and difficulty breathing are warning signs that something serious is going on.”

Prevention

RSV is so common that your baby is almost certain to contract it at some point. It can be contracted at any age, not just infancy, so adults could transmit it, too. While not every RSV infection escalates into an emergency, there are some steps you can take to try to protect your baby from infection.

• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Don’t share cups or toys
• Wash hands frequently

Get Help Fast at Medco ER 

If your baby is sick and has a fever, come to Medco ER any time day or night for fast help from board-certified physicians. We are always open and ready to treat you or your baby. We can diagnose and treat RSV in infants, babies children and adults. Our rapid-results labs can test for RSV and we can check for complications while providing some of the best medical care available in Plano, TX.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv/symptoms-diagnosis

² https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html

³ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8282-respiratory-syncytial-virus-in-children-and-adults

Why Heat Stroke is a Big Problem

When you’re out in the heat for too long and your internal body temperature crests 104˚, you’ve entered into the red zone known as heat stroke/heatstroke. A life-threatening condition, heatstroke can cause dizziness and confusion to the point that you can no longer help yourself. That’s why the medical professionals at Medco ER are here to explain heat stroke and what you can do to avoid it.

Complications of Heat Stroke

People who become highly overheated can slip into a coma. They can experience liver, brain, nerve or kidney damage. Blood flow to the heart can be reduced. Muscles can die. Heat stroke, left without medical intervention, can result in death.¹

Types of Heat Stroke

There are two types of heat stroke: exertional and non-exertional. Exertional results from physical overexertion in the heat and can come on quickly. Non-exertional may take a few days to manifest and it may be related to other health issues.¹

Heat stroke can occur from exposure to a hot, possibly humid, environment and strenuous activity. It can occur from wearing the wrong, hot clothing. Drinking alcohol interferes with your body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Not drinking enough water or electrolytes means your body dehydrates from sweat loss.²

Symptoms

As soon as the first symptoms of heat stroke show up, it is a medical emergency. Have someone bring you to the Plano Medco ER for immediate treatment. Here are the symptoms to watch out for:¹

• Dry skin that no longer sweats
• Wet skin that continues to sweat after you stop exerting yourself
• Coordination and balance problems
• Confusion, slurred speech
• Dizziness
• Red, flushed, hot skin
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Low urine output
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Seizure
• Bubbling sound in lungs
• Unconsciousness
• Headache

Stages of Heat-Related Illness

“When you become so overheated that you can no longer cool yourself down with rest, water or sports drink, cold packs, and air conditioning, your physical decline can be rapid,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “Heat exhaustion can easily become heat stroke if you try to push through. If you can’t get on top of your heat-related illness, come in right away to Medco ER. We will likely start an IV and begin trying to safely cool your body down.”

Prevention of Heat Stroke

Be aware of overheating when working or playing in hot, humid conditions. Keep these preventative tips in mind:¹

• Avoid working or playing outside in the heat.
• Continually drink water or sports drinks in hot conditions.
• If you are new to the area or the climate, gradually acclimate your body to it.
• Make sure your car has working air conditioning and don’t sit in it when it is idle.
• Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
• Choose light, loose clothing made with light colors.
• Be aware of medications that can affect your ability to regulate temperature such as blood pressure, ADHD, antidepressants, beta blockers and antihistamine medications.

Get Help Fast at Medco ER 

With this extreme heat, when you show the first signs of overheating that no longer responds to normal care, come to Medco ER for fast help from board-certified physicians. Since sickness doesn’t always happen during work hours, we’re open 24/7 to provide you with some of the best emergency care available in Plano, TX.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21812-heatstroke

² https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20353581

Is It Kidney Stones?

A sharp, throbbing pain in the back or kidneys may be your first indication that you have kidney stones. A leading cause of trips to the ER, kidney stones can be very debilitating. Over 500,000 people go to the ER each year for kidney stones, and one in ten people will experience them at some point in their lives.¹ The physicians at Medco ER in Plano, TX, are here to help you identify and understand the problems associated with a blockage of the ureter caused by kidney stones.

Symptoms²

• Sharp pain in your back, side, abdomen or groin
• Blood in the urine – pink, red or brown
• Urgent and frequent need to urinate
• Painful urination
• Cloudy urine
• Bad smelling urine
• Inability to urinate
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills

Risk Factors

• Obesity
• Under hydration (not enough fluids in diet)
• Lack of calcium
• Too much salt in diet
• Too much sugar or high fructose corn syrup in diet
• Bariatric surgery
• Family history
• Exercise – too much or too little

“If you don’t drink enough water each day or you have a diet high in sugars and salt,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan, “you may increase your risk of kidney stones. If it runs in your family, your first line of defense is drinking plenty of water daily.”

Types of Stones

“Kidney stones are caused by high levels of certain minerals in the urine,” said Dr. Khan. “Normally, they wouldn’t be a problem, but at high levels they start to build up and cause calcification that turns into stones.”

• Calcium oxalate – most common kidney stones formed when you don’t get enough fluids or calcium³
• Uric acid – high levels of purine from some meats and shellfish can cause these kidney stones that often run in families³
• Struvite – less common, these are formed from upper urinary tract infections³
• Cystine – these kidney stones are caused by a rare condition that is passed down in families that can be treated but not cured³

Prevention

Drink plenty of water to keep the color of your urine light or clear. Limit sugar, high fructose corn syrup and salty foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables to lower the acidity of the urine. Lose weight if you are overweight, but avoid high protein diets. Consult a registered dietician for weight loss tips and to understand what foods bind with calcium to cause kidney stones.

Treatment

Treatments may include:¹

• Waiting to see if the stone passes on its own
• Shockwaves (lithotripsy) directed at the stone to break it up into tiny pieces
• Ureteroscopy of the ureter which uses a long tube to take out the stone or break it into smaller pieces with a laser
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy makes a small cut in the back and inserts a viewing tool to locate and remove the kidney stone directly from the kidney

Get Help Fast at Medco ER 

When an abdominal X-ray or CT scan, coupled with a urine or blood analysis, can quickly show the presence of kidney stones, you want to go to an ER that has everything available right when you need it. At Medco ER, we’re open 24/7 and have the imaging equipment and rapid results labs to identify and to begin to treat kidney stones.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones

²  https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes  

³https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/other-kidney-problems/kidney-stones

How To Keep Your Young Athlete Safe in Sports

The warm weather sports season has children and teens of all ages streaming onto fields, courts, rinks, gyms and diamonds to get the most out of their chance to play organized sports. But the dark side of kids’ sports is the high rate of injuries that occur when kids get together to play an organized game. The good news is that many of these sports injuries can be prevented, allowing kids to play their favorite sports in good health. The physicians at Medco ER in Plano, TX, have put together some prevention tips and information you need to know to keep your young athlete in the game and feeling great.

Prevention Tips¹

• Stretching and warmups
• Protective equipment that fits properly and meets safety standards
• Hydration
• Sleep
• Rotate sports and cross train muscle groups to keep from overwork or repetitive movements
• Safe surfaces to play on
• Adult supervision
• Doctor’s physical exam – make sure your child or teen is playing a sport that is a good fit for his/her athletic ability
• Healthy, balanced diet
• Listen to trainer and learn proper techniques to avoid injuries
• Rest an injury early on and get prompt medical attention

“Many sports injuries in children could be greatly improved by rest and recovery rather than pushing through and playing with pain,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “It’s important for parents to step in to make sure the child’s ongoing good health is the main concern.”

Types Sports Injuries

Acute injuries – sudden impact or fall that can result in minor scrapes or major injuries like broken bones or an eye injury.

Overuse injuries – repetitive stress injuries from doing the same motion or movement over and over again. Overuse often occurs in joints and can disrupt normal bone growth.

Reinjuries – repeat injury, often caused by returning to the sport before the original injury has had time to fully heal.²

Most Common Sports Injuries

Some of the most common sports injuries in children center around joint pain and injuries. A sprained ankle, twisted knee, frozen shoulder or wrist injury are all common problems. Concussions are also a common injury. Tendonitis, stress fractures and eye injuries are also very common.³

When to go to the ER

“Any time your young athlete is experiencing severe, sudden or ongoing pain, it’s time to come to Medco ER,” said Dr. Khan. “Any joint swelling, immobility, popping noise, recurring pain or impeded playing are all indicators that your child needs medical attention. Signs of a concussion such as dizziness, fatigue and nausea also require a doctor’s intervention. We’re here when your child or teen needs help.”

Get Help Fast at Medco ER 

If your young athlete has experienced consistent pain from sports or has a new joint injury or pain, come see us right away. Open 24/7, we are conveniently located on Legacy Drive and have imaging equipment to diagnose common sports injuries. Skip the long lines and enjoy fast, quality medical care to help your child start to feel better.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/pain-management/types-of-pain/youth-sports/

²  https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sports-safety.html

³ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/a-guide-to-safety-for-young-athletes/

What You Need to Know About Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more common than you might imagine. Highly contagious, sexually transmitted diseases occur at a rate of 25 million each year in the United States.¹ At Medco ER in Plano, TX, our board-certified physicians offer prevention education, testing and treatment for common STDs. Fortunately, most conditions are treatable and can be cured, though they may still reoccur at a future date.

Prevention²

The best way to prevent a sexually transmitted disease is abstinence from all forms of sexual contact.

Vaccinations are available for hepatitis B and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) but not for the other common forms of STDs.

Control and reduce the number of sexual partners you have. This doesn’t remove your risk and you still need to be tested regularly for STDs.

Agreeing on a mutually monogamous relationship with one long-term partner is another option that slashes your risks.

Use condoms according to manufacturer’s specifications each time for every kind of sexual contact to protect yourself against STDs.

“Prevention is the most important thing in protecting yourself against STDs,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “Educating yourself and having frank, open discussions with your partner is the first step in prevention.”

Symptoms

Early symptoms to watch out for include:³

• Infection symptoms: fever, sore throat, swollen glands, headache, rash, lethargy, night sweats, appetite loss, joint pain, body aches
• Pain: during urination, lower abdominal, during sexual intercourse, testicular, genital, anal, inner thighs
• Itching, burning or irritation
• Unusual discharge from vagina or penis
• Strong odor
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Cough, shortness of breath
• Rash, bumps, blisters, warts, pimples or swelling in genital or anal areas
• Bleeding with sexual intercourse
• Dark urine
• Jaundice (yellowing skin or whites of the eyes)

Testing

Your provider will discuss the different test options that pinpoint different STDs, depending on your risk factors and possible symptoms. Testing could include:¹

• Cheek swab
• Urine test
• Blood test
• Sample from a skin sore
• Cell sample or discharge sample from the affected area

Who should get tested? It is recommended that anyone who is sexually active should be tested every year. Having an open discussion with your healthcare provider is an important part of receiving the right testing at the right time. Sexually active women, pregnant women, gay or bisexual men, people who have had oral or anal sex and those participating in risky sexual or drug behaviors should be tested at least once a year or even every six months.²

When to go to the ER

Left untreated, STDs could cause ongoing poor health, organ damage, increased risk of getting HIV and even cancer or death.³

“This medical condition is not one to ignore,” said Dr. Khan. “Overlooking the fact that it is extremely contagious and can be easily transmitted to another person, the symptoms of most STDs will only compound if you ignore them. Come to Medco ER for fast, confidential help with your symptoms. We’re here to help.”

Get Help Fast at Medco ER 

If you’ve been experiencing any symptoms of a STD, the expert team at Medco ER is ready to help you. Open 24/7, we are conveniently located and have in-house labs to identify any conditions that need to be treated. Our professional, courteous staff will make you comfortable as you enjoy little-to-no wait time to be seen by a board-certified physician.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9138-sexually-transmitted-diseases–infections-stds–stis

² https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm

³ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/in-depth/std-symptoms/art-20047081

What You Need to Know About Vomiting and Diarrhea in You & Your Kids

It’s flu season and if you haven’t experienced a bout of the flu in your household, it may still be on the horizon. Influenza, food poisoning or infection is often accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting and a feeling of nausea. At Medco ER in Plano, TX, our board-certified physicians know what to look for in the case of vomiting and diarrhea in you or your children.

Possible Causes

If you or your child are experiencing irrepressible bouts of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, there could be one of several conditions causing your discomfort.¹

• Stomach flu or influenza – there are several different kinds and some trend more than others in our region and at certain times of the year.
• Food poisoning
• Motion sickness, dizziness, ear infection
• Blocked intestine
• Infection
• Illness such as appendicitis, cholecystitis, etc.
• Concussion or brain injury
• Migraines
• Parasites
• Heart attacks
• Kidney or liver conditions
• Central nervous system conditions
• Tumors
• Cancer
• Pregnancy

“Since your vomiting and diarrhea could be contributed to several different things, we usually test right away for flu and investigate the more common things like food poisoning,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan, “Those rapid results labs can often tell us pretty quickly what we are dealing with. After that, we can develop the right treatment plan for you or your child.”

Symptoms Defined

• Nausea is when your stomach feels queasy or unsettled and you may feel like you may soon vomit.
• Vomiting, or throwing up, is when your stomach forcibly empties itself of its contents.
• Diarrhea is loose, watery stools, sometimes explosive or hard to control.

At Home Treatment

Since fluid is being lost, it is important to continue drinking to prevent dehydration. Drink clear liquids and eat light, liquid foods. Avoid greasy or fried foods or solid food. Eat small amounts more frequently. Stay quiet and still and rest as much as possible. Drink a rehydrating solution such as electrolytes or sports drinks.

When to go to the ER

“If your diarrhea and vomiting won’t stop,” said Dr. Khan, “then it’s time to come to Medco ER and let us help you.”

Warning signs that mean you need to go to the doctor:

• Black, tarry stools or blood in stool
• Dry, cracked lips and dry mouth
• Sunken eyes
• Rapid breathing
• Fast pulse, racing heartbeat
• Decreased or stopped urination
• Sunken soft spot on top of baby’s head (fontanelle)
• Diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days for adults or 1 day for children
• Vomiting that lasts more than a half day
• Fever over 100˚F
• Blood in vomit (looks like coffee grounds)
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Lethargy
• Confusion
• Abdominal pain

Get Help Fast at Medco ER 

When vomiting and diarrhea are out of control, the expert team at Medco ER is ready to help you. Our in-house pharmacy has the hydrating IVs and the medicines to start to help you feel better. Come in anytime day or night to find a board-certified physician ready to go to work for you.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/8106-nausea–vomiting

Will My Bronchitis Turn into Pneumonia?

As winter drags on, chronic coughing is a common complaint. But you may have questions about your cough. Is it bronchitis or pneumonia? If I have bronchitis, can it turn into pneumonia? When should I see the doctor? It’s questions like these that the board-certified physicians at Medco ER in Plano, TX, have answered. Check out the discussion.

Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia

Upper airway or lung infections can start out as the cough that accompanies a common cold and can leave your defenses down. It can then morph into bronchitis where the bronchioles fill with mucus that is sometimes coughed up. Bronchitis, then, can turn into pneumonia, a more serious virus or bacterial infection. Pneumonia attacks the alveoli in the lungs with inflammation and mucus. It can then build up fluid, increase bacteria in your system or create a lung abscess.¹

“Whether your nonstop coughing is bronchitis, pneumonia or something else,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan, “You should come in right away and let us take a look. It can quickly deteriorate into a more serious condition if left untreated.”

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Bronchitis can show up with the following symptoms:¹

• Unrelenting cough
• Coughing up yellow-green mucus
• Wheezing breath
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Low fever

Pneumonia has these symptoms:¹

• Unrelenting cough, often deep in chest
• Coughing up yellow-green mucus
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Body aches, chest pain
• Fatigue
• High fever (up to 105˚F)
• Sweating, chills

Prevention

The best thing to do to prevent pneumonia or bronchitis is to stop smoking. Smoking increases your risk of becoming sick from a lung infection.

Pneumonia shares bacteria and viruses with other conditions. If you get the flu, measles, whooping cough or pneumococcal (bacterial pneumonia) vaccines, you may decrease your risks of getting pneumonia. Talk to our doctor about getting other vaccines when you get the flu shot each year.

Healthy practices such as frequent hand washing, keeping hands away from face, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and monitoring any chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma are all great preventive measures.²

When to See the Doctor

“Since bronchitis can become pneumonia in some cases, it is important to come see us at Medco ER when you have a cough that just won’t stop,” said Dr. Khan. “A cough that produces mucus, or a wet cough, is especially important to check out. We can do a chest X-ray or rapid results test to help us quickly diagnose your condition and start treatment right away.”

Get Help Fast at Medco ER 

If you have a lingering cough with a fever, come to Medco ER. You will be seen quickly and your doctor will carefully diagnose your condition. Our in-house pharmacy will get you started with the right treatment to help you on the road to recovery. We are open 24/7, so you can come in any time, day or night.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370

¹ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/bronchitis-vs-pneumonia/

² https://www.cdc.gov/pneumonia/prevention.html

Which is Better: Hospital Emergency Departments or Freestanding ERs?

What is the difference between hospital-attached emergency departments and freestanding emergency rooms? For many patients, long lines, understaffing, and inefficient procedures make hospital ERs less appealing than freestanding ERs. At Medco ER in Plano, TX, we offer some of the best options in healthcare to address your urgent and emergent medical conditions.

No Wait Health Care

Freestanding emergency rooms often have a great staff-to-patient ratio, meaning you will have little-to-no wait time when you arrive at the facility. At Medco ER, you can expect to be shown into a private exam room within minutes upon arrival. Any paperwork will be done there and the doctor will be in shortly to see you. We’ll work to get you in and out as fast as possible.

Board-Certified Physicians

Hospital EDs make extensive use of physician assistants, CNPs, medical assistants and RNs to do much of the intake, diagnostic and testing work.

“At Medco ER, there is always a board-certified physician ready to diagnose and to treat your urgent medical conditions,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “We staff experienced emergency physicians to be available any time day or night.”

Round-the-Clock Availability

Both Hospital EDs and freestanding ERs are open 24/7, all day and night throughout the year. But hospitals close many services in the late hours. Freestanding ERs continue to offer a full range of services regardless of the hour.

Fast Testing Services

Medco ER offers instant access to testing, labs and pharmaceuticals. Our rapid-results labs have fast turnaround to let you know if you have flu, COVID 19 or other condition. Our in-house CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds are readily available. In addition to being a time saver, this potential of having a one-stop shop for all your medical needs offers enviable convenience to patients.

No Balance Billing

Billing surprises that come at the end of treatment are never welcome after you’ve been sick or injured. At Medco ER, we don’t add to the balance at the end but are upfront about our fees when you arrive. In addition, we work for you to advocate for lower costs when possible.

Bottom Line: You Win!

In the battle of the hospital-attached emergency departments versus the freestanding emergency rooms, the patient is the winner. Competition has forced the systems to become more efficient, and that can only spell good news for you when you need prompt medical care.

Depending on the severity of your condition, freestanding ERs make a great choice when you need fast help from a board-certified physician with easy access to labs and tests. Medco ER is proud to offer some of the best medical help in the area.

Get Help Fast at Medco ER 

When you need urgent or emergency care, you can rest assured that Medco ER is open 24/7 every day of the year and will get you in with little-to-no waiting time. Our board-certified physicians are ready to go to work fast to help you on the road to recovery.

Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)

Call us @ 469-747-0370