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
What Every Parent Should Know About Ear Pain
Crying, fussy babies and whiny children who seem extra clumsy may all have one thing in common – they could be suffering from ear pain. When your little one is miserable and looks or acts sick, it is often so hard for parents to know what is wrong. At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, we’re experts on children’s ear pain issues and we can take the guesswork out of parenting.
“Ear infections are so prevalent in babies and children. It’s something every parent will encounter at one time or another,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “It’s hard to know what to do when your baby is extra fussy, but we’re always available to take a look to make sure it’s not an infection.”
Common Causes for Ear Pain1
- Bacteria from a cold, virus, sore throat or upper respiratory infection
- Blocked Eustachian tubes
- Fluid behind ear drum
- Build-up of wax
- Trauma to ear
- Foreign object in the ear
- Swimmer’s ear
- Secondhand smoke
- Propped up baby bottle
- Teething
Symptoms of an Ear Infection
The first thing you may notice is your baby is frequently tugging or touching his ear. If he is grabbing his ear and crying, an ear condition might be causing his discomfort. Laying your baby down may make the pain worse, so she might cry when you put her down. You may notice discharge from the ear – clear fluid, wax buildup, yellow fluid or even blood. If the ear is infected, your child may run a fever. Your baby may be extra fussy and crying a lot. She may react to loud sounds or she might not react to quiet conversation. His balance may be off. These are all indicators that something is not right with the ear canal.
Treatment for Ear Infections
“You can try ibuprofen or acetaminophen at home to relieve the ear pain,” said Dr. Khan. “Be sure to follow the correct dosage. Also, the baby may experience some relief if you apply a warm compress – but not too hot – to the ear. But after a day, it’s time to bring your child in to Medco ER & Urgent Care so we can look inside the ear canal.”
Many ear infections will resolve without antibiotics. Antibiotics won’t help infections caused by viruses, but they will help with bacterial infections. Your physician will want to know if the child had been experiencing a sore throat or cold prior to the ear pain. A careful diagnosis will determine if antibiotics will help your child.
Chronic ear infections may need to be treated with the insertion of tubes to aid in drainage. Your child’s pediatrician can discuss this option with you if ear infections and ear pain are recurring.
When should I bring my child to Medco ER & Urgent Care?
If your child has been experiencing ear pain for a day or longer, it is time to come to Medco ER & Urgent Care where you will be seen by a board-certified physician almost immediately upon arrival. We’re open all day and night, every day of the year so you can get the care your child needs right away.
Our physicians are experienced in pediatrics and are good with children. Our fun pediatric exam room features a space theme and interesting things to do to keep our youngest patients relaxed and happy. We work hard to make sure your little one starts to feel better again.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-40001https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ear-infections-children
An Expert’s Guide to Nausea & Vomiting
If you or your child ever awakened in the night with a sudden bout of upset stomach, nausea or an urge to vomit, you have probably wondered what caused it. Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of an underlying condition which could be anything from a common infection to an intestinal obstruction or even appendicitis. While nobody wants to suffer from intractable nausea and vomiting, you can be assured that the board-certified physicians at Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano are highly experienced at diagnosing and treating these conditions using a thorough history & physical exam as well as use of the advanced lab tests and imaging tools.
“Nausea and vomiting are indicators of an underlying distress in the body,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “We need to perform a complete evaluation to pinpoint the exact cause, which could vary widely from patient to patient. We may need to follow it up with blood tests and a CT scan. In the end, we will be able to construct a treatment plan that’s appropriate for the patient.”
What are the causes of nausea and vomiting?
There are many causes of nausea and vomiting. Some of the most common ones encountered in the Urgent Care & ER setting are as follows:
- COVID-19
- Food poisoning
- Viral gastroenteritis – commonly called stomach flu
- Pregnancy – morning sickness
- Migraine
- Intestinal obstruction
- Appendicitis
- Alcohol consumption
- Diabetes
- Gallstones
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Heart attack
- Intestinal intussusception in young children
- Meningitis
- Concussion
- Kidney stone
- Cancer
- Motion sickness
What are some of the symptoms that can accompany nausea and vomiting?
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Stomach pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
- Headache
- Dehydration – sunken eyes, chapped lips, dry mouth, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, decreased urine output, dark colored urine, strong smelling urine, sunken fontanelle (soft spot on infant’s head)
What are signs of an emergency?
If your nausea and vomiting are accompanied by any of these symptoms, you need to immediately go to the nearest emergency room.
- Chest pain
- Stiff neck and high fever
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Sharp pain
- Uncontrolled dehydration
- Blood in stool
- Blood in urine
- Blood, green color or something like coffee grounds in vomit
- Fecal odor in vomit
Treatment options
Simple treatment options at home include the importance to pushing hydration and drinking fluids. Carbonated and sweet liquids can sometimes soothe the stomach better than water. Mint tea is also quite helpful for certain conditions. Rehydrate with an electrolyte-ready solution or drink. Stay home and rest. Avoid triggers such as perfumes, odors, lights, driving and heat. A few hours after vomiting, try bland foods like toast, crackers or gelatin. Keep your head elevated.
There are different types of medications that are used in the clinical setting depending on the various conditions and age group. Our physicians at Medco ER do not just provide prescriptions but they can make you feel better quickly with IV medications and IV fluids right on the spot and help you go home feeling great.
When should I go to the ER?
As a rule of thumb, if your vomiting has lasted for longer than 24 hours, seek medical attention at Medco ER & Urgent Care. We are open 24/7, and happy to help anytime you want to come see us.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000