When the colder weather forces us indoors, illness causing viruses and bacteria can easily spread from person to person. While some illnesses are harmless, such as a cold, they can still cause irritating and uncomfortable symptoms. Understanding when your illness symptoms require evaluation and treatment from a medical professional is essential so that you can seek timely treatment. This article will review whether shortness of breath can be treated at home.
If you’re feeling sick, AFC Urgent Care Edgewater is here to help. Our walk-in urgent care clinic is conveniently located near Edgewater and Annapolis, MD and open 7 days a week. We offer same-day care on a walk-in basis for illness symptoms. Simply walk in when it’s convenient, or save your spot online in advance below.
Common Cold Symptoms
A cold is a nickname for a viral upper respiratory tract infection. Colds can be caused by a multitude of different viruses, which are easily spread from person to person through airborne particles, lingering on surfaces, and direct contact with someone who has a cold. Symptoms tend to be mild, and will often go away on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Congestion
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Post-nasal drip
- Sore throat
Can a Cold Cause Shortness of Breath?
Colds affect the upper respiratory tract, which includes the lungs and airway. This can result in a cold causing a persistent cough. However, colds are typically not severe enough to cause symptoms like shortness of breath. If you think you have a cold, but have severe symptoms like shortness of breath, you may have developed a secondary bacterial infection in your respiratory tract.
Should You Seek Medical Care for Shortness of Breath?
Shortness of breath is a serious illness symptom. While colds can impact the upper respiratory tract, they do not typically lead to severe symptoms like shortness of breath. If you are having shortness of breath or trouble breathing, you should seek emergency care immediately. Shortness of breath can be caused by many different conditions, and diagnostic testing may be necessary to identify the exact cause of your symptoms so that you can treat them effectively.
Walk Into AFC Edgewater for Rapid Illness Symptom Treatment
If you’re feeling sick, it is important to monitor for severe symptoms and seek medical care if you’re experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath. Shortness of breath is not a typical cold symptom, and it can indicate a more serious condition like a lung infection, bronchitis or pneumonia. If you’re in need of convenient illness diagnosis and treatment, walk into AFC Urgent Care Edgewater.
Our walk-in clinic in Edgewater, Maryland, is open 7 days a week to provide convenient illness symptom diagnosis and treatment. We have a laboratory on-site for convenient diagnostic testing, and treat a variety of common ailments including colds and lung infections, as well as symptoms like shortness of breath. Our clinic accepts most medical insurance plans, and we have affordable rates for patients paying out-of-pocket for their medical care. Walk in today for rapid same-day care!
