Flu, Bronchitis, or Pneumonia? Get Diagnosed and Treated Via a House Call

Respiratory illness can knock you for a loop and keep you incapacitated for days or weeks. Your symptoms may even be so severe that you can’t get out to see your doctor.

Don’t worry — we’ll come to you.

We're reinstating the house call at Prestige Primary Care in Dallas, Texas. When you can’t leave the house due to severe illness or transportation issues, our team cares for you in your home. We bring all the necessary equipment and tests to diagnose your condition and get you started on treatment. 

During a house call, we can take care of just about anything that ails you, from wound care and allergy testing to adjusting your treatment and managing your medications. One of the most common house calls we make is to help folks with respiratory infections. Since the flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia symptoms are similar, they can be tricky to tell apart. Our board-certified internist, Dr. Asif Aziz, explains the subtle differences.

Influenza (the flu)

Influenza is a viral infection that sets up shop in your upper respiratory tract and makes you feel awful all over. The most common flu symptoms are:

• Cough
• Fever and chills
• Body aches
• Sore throat
• Fatigue

Kids may also experience diarrhea and vomiting, but adults usually don’t. Here are a few key factors if you have trouble telling the difference between the flu and the common cold: Colds come on gradually, rarely include fever and chills, and usually involve sneezing, a runny nose, and congestion. Although there may be some overlapping symptoms, flu generally hits you suddenly and has more severe symptoms.

You can expect the flu to last up to two weeks, but if it hangs on too long, you could develop complications, like an ear infection, or more serious conditions, such as myocarditis (inflamed heart) or other inflammation-related problems, including bronchitis.

Bronchitis

If you have a persistent cough that produces discolored mucus, you may be dealing with bronchitis, inflammation of your bronchial tubes’ lining, making it hard for them to move air in and out of your lungs. 

Acute bronchitis is common after a cold, flu, or other respiratory infections. The good news is that it generally resolves within 7-10 days, but if your cough persists for weeks, call us.

On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is more severe, involving constant irritation or inflammation of your bronchial tubes’ lining. Smoking is a common culprit behind bronchitis, and it can damage your lungs over time.

Bronchitis symptoms include:

• Coughing and wheezing
• Colored mucus
• Chest discomfort and shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Mild fever

If your cough lingers for several weeks, even after your other symptoms fade, you may need a house call.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that causes the air sacs of your lungs to fill up with pus and fluid. Pneumonia comes in three main types depending on what causes it: bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Although anyone can get pneumonia, kids, seniors, and people with asthma and chronic diseases are more susceptible.

Bacterial pneumonia

Unlike other forms of pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. You may have a high fever, profuse sweating, and breathing and pulse rate spike. Lack of blood oxygen could turn your lips and nail beds bluish, and you may experience confusion or delirium. 

Viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia is a respiratory infection that can slowly develop over a few days before causing severe symptoms. The initial signs resemble those of the flu, including a fever, a dry cough, headache, and muscle aches. But don't be fooled; the condition naturally progresses to cause more intense symptoms, such as increased coughing, shortness of breath, and muscle pain. If your case is severe, you may have a high fever and bluish lips. 

Fungal pneumonia

Fungal pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs when tiny spores enter the body through the air you breathe. Unlike the common cold or flu, this infection stems from fungi and isn’t contagious. Its symptoms are similar to the flu and can range from coughing to chest pain. Sometimes, the infection may lay dormant and reactivate when your immune system is compromised.

How to make a house call

The best way to know for sure which condition you have is to let Dr. Aziz examine you. And the best way to get top-notch care when battling an intense respiratory infection is to request a house call.

All you have to do is call us and tell us what you need. Our team is friendly, compassionate, and knowledgeable. After discussing your symptoms and a few other details, we arrange a time to visit you in your home, skilled nursing facility, or hospital. You can also book appointments online, so call or click when you need us.