November in New Hampshire brings shorter days, colder air, and a lot more time indoors. It also brings the start of the season when coughs seem to travel from the office to the classroom to the dinner table. Most of the time, a cough is part of a common cold that clears up on its own. Sometimes, though, a cough is a sign of something that needs a closer look, like acute bronchitis or pneumonia.
November 12 is World Pneumonia Day, which makes this a good time to talk about the difference between these illnesses, the warning signs to watch for, and when it makes sense to walk in to ExpressMED for urgent care in Manchester and Salem, NH.
Chest Cold or Pneumonia: What Is the Difference?
Acute bronchitis, often called a chest cold, happens when the airways in the lungs become swollen and produce mucus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a chest cold is usually caused by a virus, and symptoms typically last less than three weeks. Common symptoms include a cough with or without mucus, fatigue, congestion, sore throat, and mild body aches. The CDC notes that antibiotics will not help you get better faster from a chest cold, which usually improves on its own with rest and fluids.
Pneumonia is different. It is an infection that inflames the tiny air sacs in one or both lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus. Mayo Clinic explains that pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and that it can range from mild to life threatening. A mild case can look a lot like a cold or the flu, but it tends to last longer. That overlap is exactly why a cough that is not getting better deserves attention.
If you are trying to sort out whether your symptoms point to a cold, the flu, COVID-19, or RSV, our earlier article, Cold, Flu, COVID, or RSV? How to Tell the Difference and When to Get Care, is a helpful companion to this one.
Common Signs of Pneumonia
Mayo Clinic lists these common signs and symptoms of pneumonia:
- Chest pain when you breathe or cough
- A cough that may bring up phlegm
- Fever, sweating, and shaking chills
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Confusion or changes in mental awareness in adults 65 and older
Some people are at higher risk for pneumonia and its complications, including children 2 years old or younger, adults 65 and older, people with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, or heart disease, people who smoke, and people with weakened immune systems.
When to Walk In to ExpressMED
You do not need to wait weeks for an appointment to find out what is behind a cough that is not going away. Consider a visit to ExpressMED if you have:
- A cough that has lasted more than three weeks, or one that keeps getting worse instead of better
- A fever that lasts more than a few days, or a persistent fever of 102°F or higher
- Chest pain when you breathe deeply or cough
- Mild shortness of breath or wheezing
- Coughing up thick, discolored, or bloody mucus
- Repeated bouts of bronchitis
- Symptoms that started like a cold or the flu and then took a turn for the worse
At ExpressMED, our providers evaluate respiratory infections every day. Each of our locations offers on-site X-ray and stat lab services, so if your provider wants a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia, it can happen during the same visit instead of sending you somewhere else. Your provider can then recommend the right next step, whether that is rest and home care for a chest cold or treatment for pneumonia, and help coordinate follow-up with specialists in our network when you need it.
When to Go to the ER Instead
Urgent care is a great fit for illnesses that need timely care but are not life threatening. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you or a loved one has severe difficulty breathing, bluish lips or face, severe chest pain or pressure, new confusion, or trouble staying awake. For more guidance, read When to Choose Urgent Care vs the Emergency Room.
Simple Ways to Protect Your Lungs This Season
Many respiratory infections can be prevented or made less severe with a few everyday habits recommended by Mayo Clinic and public health experts:
- Wash your hands often, or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Ask your healthcare provider which vaccines are right for you, including the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccines. Vaccine recommendations have changed in recent years, so it is worth reviewing your status.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking damages your lungs’ natural defenses against infection. November 19 is the Great American Smokeout, a great day to start a plan to quit, and free help is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
- Get enough sleep, stay active, and eat a healthy diet to support your immune system.
- Stay home when you are sick so you do not pass germs to coworkers, classmates, or family.
ExpressMED offers walk-in flu shots at our New Hampshire clinics. Learn more in Understanding Flu Shots and Why They Matter During Flu Season.
Fast, Affordable Care Close to Home
ExpressMED is built around access and affordability. Our providers deliver high quality care at a fraction of the cost of an emergency room visit, with three convenient New Hampshire locations:
- ExpressMED Manchester Downtown: 35 Kosciuszko Street, Manchester, NH 03101, (603) 627-8053. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A convenient downtown urgent care and walk in clinic for people who live or work in the city.
- ExpressMED Salem: 159 North Broadway, Salem, NH 03079, (603) 898-0961. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- ExpressMED Manchester Executive: 1 Highlander Way, Manchester, NH 03103, inside the Executive Health & Sports Center, (603) 625-2622. Open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Have questions about coverage before you visit? Visit our Billing & Insurance page. For employers, ExpressMED also provides occupational health medicine services to keep your workforce healthy and productive all winter long.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I tell if my cough is pneumonia or bronchitis?
It can be hard to tell on your own because the symptoms overlap. Pneumonia is more likely to cause fever with chills, chest pain when you breathe, and shortness of breath, and it tends to last longer than a typical chest cold. A provider can listen to your lungs and may order a chest X-ray to tell the difference. ExpressMED offers on-site X-ray at each of our locations in Manchester and Salem, NH.
2. How long should a cough from a chest cold last?
According to the CDC, symptoms of a chest cold usually last less than three weeks. If your cough lasts longer than that, keeps getting worse, or comes with a high or lasting fever, it is a good idea to get checked.
3. Do I need antibiotics for bronchitis?
Usually not. The CDC notes that chest colds are most often caused by viruses and that antibiotics will not help you get better faster. Pneumonia caused by bacteria is different and may need antibiotics, which is one reason an accurate diagnosis matters. Your provider will recommend the treatment that fits your diagnosis.
4. Can urgent care diagnose pneumonia?
Yes. Urgent care providers routinely evaluate respiratory infections, and ExpressMED has on-site X-ray and stat lab services at each location in Manchester and Salem, NH. If your symptoms are severe, such as major difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
5. Do I need an appointment at ExpressMED?
ExpressMED provides walk-in urgent care, so you can come in when you need care. Our Salem clinic is open Saturdays, and our Manchester Downtown and Salem clinics are open weekdays until 6:00 PM. Visit expressmednh.com for locations, hours, and contact information.