SCC Corsicana offers COVID-19 evaluations, testing, and treatment for adults with mild to moderate COVID-19. Symptoms can be similar to bronchitis, pneumonia, and RSV, making it difficult to differentiate between the two. Paxlovid* is available for those at increased risk of severe disease progression.
Is a persistent cough keeping you or your child up at night? Respiratory illnesses can be frustrating and disruptive. From the common cold to more serious conditions like pneumonia, there are many possible culprits.
Our healthcare team at SCC Corsicana can help determine the cause of your cough and recommend appropriate treatment. We'll provide the care you need to feel better quickly.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. There are two main types:
Symptoms of both acute and chronic bronchitis include:
Our SCC Corsicana medical team can diagnose bronchitis with a thorough medical history and physical exam. The physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner will use a stethoscope to carefully listen to your lungs and the upper airways. Tests are generally not necessary to diagnose acute bronchitis.
If chronic bronchitis is suspected, you’ll likely receive a chest X-ray. SCC Corsicana offer X-rays on site, so you can receive your X-rays and diagnosis all in the same place.
Treating acute bronchitis is similar to treatments for colds and other viral illnesses:
Sometimes, a bronchodilator will be prescribed to help open up your airways. Additionally, cough suppressants or other medications are often prescribed for symptom relief. Studies show that in otherwise healthy children and adults, antibiotics for bronchitis won’t help patients feel better.
If our SCC Corsicana provider diagnoses you with chronic bronchitis, he or she will help you to coordinate care for this ongoing condition. You will likely need to create a treatment plan with your primary care physician or a specialist, such as pulmonologist, to help you slow the progression of the disease. Often, those with chronic bronchitis will take part in pulmonary rehabilitation, as directed by their doctors.
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that affects the lungs. It is a fairly common illness that may affect just one lobe, the whole lung, or both lungs.
Most of the time pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by a virus, fungus, or parasite. The infection causes inflammation in the lungs and causes the air sacs within the lungs – the alveoli – to fill with fluid or mucus. This fluid makes it difficult to breathe and limits the amount of oxygen the lungs can take in.
Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms are similar to cold and flu symptoms, but they last much longer. Symptoms include:
To diagnose pneumonia, the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner will ask about your medical history and conduct a physical exam, including carefully listening to your lungs with a stethoscope.
If pneumonia is suspected, you will likely have a chest X-ray, which can show the extent and location of the infection. You may also have blood or sputum (a thick fluid produced in the lungs) tests to identify the cause of the infection.
Pneumonia treatment varies based on severity. While mild cases can often be managed at home, severe pneumonia may require hospitalization. At SCC Corsicana, our healthcare team tailors treatment plans to individual needs, prescribing antibiotics for bacterial infections and providing medications to manage symptoms like cough and pain. Adequate rest, staying hydrated, and completing the full course of antibiotics are crucial for recovery. To prevent recurrence, it's essential to allow your body sufficient time to regain strength and avoid overexertion during the healing process.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory infection, especially affecting young children. It spreads easily through airborne droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, or by direct contact with contaminated surfaces. While most RSV infections are mild, they can lead to more severe respiratory illnesses. To prevent the spread of RSV, it's crucial to practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and disinfecting surfaces.
RSV is generally diagnosed by taking a medical history and performing a physical exam.
Treatment also may include inhaled medications to help open airways.
Most people will recover from RSV within a couple of weeks, but hospitalization may be necessary depending on age and severity of symptoms.
Someone who is ill is most contagious within the first few days of being infected, but he or she can possibly spread the virus for several weeks after symptoms appear.
