What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an infection that causes a cough as the major symptom. It happens when the medium to large size tubes that carry air into the lungs, called the “bronchi,” get infected.

Usually, bronchitis happens after a person gets a cold or the flu. Viruses that cause colds or flu infect the bronchi and irritate them. People often wonder if taking antibiotics will help with their bronchitis. The answer is not always, because, in the first few days, it is usually caused by a virus. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. However, there are cases when a bacterial infection does cause bronchitis, and this infection does need to be treated with antibiotics.

Bronchitis can also be cause by an infection called “whooping cough,” but this is much less common. Whooping cough is caused by bacteria that can infect the bronchi. Most people get vaccines that prevent whooping cough, but the vaccine doesn’t always work. Our providers will be able to tell if you have whooping cough by doing an exam and listening to way your cough sounds.

The most common symptoms of bronchitis are:

• A nagging cough that can last up to 1-2 weeks
• Coughing up mucus that is clear, yellow, or green – Some people think green mucus means you have a bacterial infection. But this is not always true.
• You might also have normal cold or flu symptoms, like a stuffy nose, sore throat, or headache. People with bronchitis do not usually get a fever.

When should I seek care?

You should come in to First Care of Habersham if you have:

• A fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C)
• Chest pain when you cough, trouble breathing, or coughing up blood
• A barking cough that makes it hard to talk
• A cough and weight loss that you cannot explain
• Symptoms that are not getting better after 1-2 weeks

How is bronchitis treated?

Bronchitis usually goes away on its own, although it can take a couple of weeks. Early in its course, bronchitis is not usually treated with antibiotic medicines, but there are prescription cough/cold medications that can help patients feel better while their immune system works to fight off the infection. Antibiotics are not typically helpful during the first week or so and will not cause your bronchitis go away faster.  They can actually cause other problems, so it’s not a good idea to take them if you don’t really need them.

To feel better, you can treat your cold and flu symptoms. Different treatments you can try include:

• Rest and drink fluids
• Prescription or OTC cough and cold medicines
• Humidifiers

It’s also important to avoid smoking or being around others who smoke. This can make your cough worse.

If the symptoms of bronchitis become severe or persist, come see us at First Care of Habersham we can help get you feeling better fast!

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an infection that causes a cough as the major symptom. It happens when the medium to large size tubes that carry air into the lungs, called the “bronchi,” get infected.

Usually, bronchitis happens after a person gets a cold or the flu. Viruses that cause colds or flu infect the bronchi and irritate them. People often wonder if taking antibiotics will help with their bronchitis. But the answer is not always, because it is usually caused by a virus. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. However, there are cases when a bacterial infection does cause bronchitis, and this infection does need to be treated with antibiotics.

Bronchitis can also be cause by an infection called “whooping cough,” but this is much less common. Whooping cough is caused by bacteria that can infect the bronchi. Most people get vaccines that prevent whooping cough, but the vaccine doesn’t always work. Your doctor will be able to tell if you have whooping cough by doing an exam and listening to way your cough sounds.

The most common symptoms of bronchitis are:

• A nagging cough that can last up to a few weeks
• Coughing up mucus that is clear, yellow, or green – Some people think green mucus means you have a bacterial infection. But this is not always true.
• You might also have normal cold or flu symptoms, like a stuffy nose, sore throat, or headache. People with bronchitis do not usually get a fever.

When should I seek care?

You should call your doctor or nurse if you have:

• A fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C)
• Chest pain when you cough, trouble breathing, or coughing up blood
• A barking cough that makes it hard to talk
• A cough and weight loss that you cannot explain
• Symptoms that are not getting better after 1-2 weeks

How is bronchitis treated?

Bronchitis almost always goes away on its own, although it can take a couple of weeks. Doctors do not usually treat bronchitis with antibiotic medicines. That’s because bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, and antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Antibiotics will not help your bronchitis go away faster, and they can actually cause other problems. So it’s not a good idea to take them if you don’t really need them.

To feel better, you can treat your cold and flu symptoms. Different treatments you can try include:

• Rest and drink fluids
• Prescription or OTC cough and cold medicines
• Humidifiers

It’s also important to avoid smoking or being around others who smoke. This can make your cough worse.

If the symptoms of bronchitis become severe or persist, come see us at First Care of Habersham we can help get you feeling better fast!

Upper respiratory infections, aka “colds”

Colds are caused by a viral infection. Many different viruses can take hold inside your nose, mouth, throat, or lungs, and cause cold symptoms.

Most people get over a cold without lasting problems. Even so, having a cold can be uncomfortable. And if your child has a cold, it can be hard to know when the symptoms call for a trip to our urgent care.

What are the symptoms of the common cold?

The symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Nasal congestion and runny nose
• Sore throat
• Chest congestion

In children, the common cold can also cause a fever. But adults do not usually get a fever when they have a cold.

When should I come to First Care of Habersham?

Concerning symptoms of a cold are:

• A fever of more than 100.4º F (38º C) that comes with shaking chills, loss of appetite, or trouble breathing
• A fever and also have lung disease, such as emphysema or asthma
• A cough that lasts longer than 7-10 days
• Chest pain when you cough, trouble breathing, or coughing up blood

If you are older than 75, you should also come in to First Care of Habersham any time you get a long-lasting cough.

Seek medical attention for the following patient symptoms:

• Refuses to drink anything for a long time
• Is younger than 4 months
• Fever and any change in behavior
• Cough that lasts for more than 2 weeks and is not getting any better
• Stuffy or runny nose that gets worse or does not get any better after 10 days
• Red eyes or yellow goop coming out of his or her eyes
• Ear pain, pulling at ears, or other signs of having an ear infection

There are prescription medicines that can be given for symptoms of colds such as congestion, drainage and cough.  Let our providers at First Care of Habersham check out your symptoms and determine the best treatment to help you feel better.

What is the flu?

The flu is an infection that can cause high fever, cough, body aches, and other symptoms such as headache, sore throat, congestion and cough. The most common type of flu is the “seasonal” flu. There are different forms of seasonal flu, for example, “type A” and “type B.”

All forms of the flu are caused by viruses. The medical term for the flu is “influenza.”

What are the most common flu symptoms?

All forms of the flu can cause:

• Fever (temperature higher than 100ºF or 37.8ºC)
• Extreme tiredness
• Headache or body aches
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

Flu symptoms can come on very suddenly.

Is the flu dangerous?

It can be. Most people get over the flu, without any lasting problems. But some people need to go to the hospital because of the flu. And some people even die from it. This is because the flu can cause a serious lung infection called pneumonia. That’s why it’s important to keep from getting the flu in the first place.

People at higher risk of getting very sick from the flu include:

• People 65 or older
• Young children (under 5 years old, and especially under 2 years old)
• Pregnant women
• People with certain other medical problems

If you or your child is in one of these groups, come see us at First Care of Habersham. We can help you decide if you or your child needs treatment. In some cases, family members of a person with the flu might also need prescription medicine to help prevent them from getting it.

Is there a test for flu?

Yes. There are tests for the flu. First Care of Habersham can do a flu test to help determine if a patient has influenza.

How can I protect myself from the flu?

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol hand rubs
• Stay away from people you know are sick
• Get the flu vaccine every year – Some years the flu vaccine is more effective than others. But even in years when it is less effective, it still helps prevent some cases of the flu. It can also help keep you from getting severely ill if you do get the flu.

Can the flu be treated?

Yes, people with the flu can get medicines called antiviral medicines. These medicines can help people avoid some of the problems caused by the flu. Not every person with the flu needs an antiviral medicine, but many people can benefit from them. First Care of Habersham providers can decide if you need an antiviral medicine and also prescribe medications to help alleviate the other symptoms of the flu such as cough and congestion. The antiviral medications work best when started early in the course of the flu, so be sure to come in to First Care of Habersham as soon as possible if you think you have the flu.

What is pink eye?

Pink eye is the everyday term people use to describe an infection or irritation of the eye. The medical term for pink eye is “conjunctivitis.”

If you have pink eye, your eye (or eyes) might:

• Turn pink or red
• Weep or ooze purulent material
• Itch or burn
• Get stuck shut, especially when you first wake up

Pink eye can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, allergies, or an unknown irritation.

Can you catch pink eye from someone else?

Yes. When pink eye is caused by an infection, it can spread easily. Usually, people catch it from touching something that has been in contact with an infected person’s eye. It can also be spread when an infected person touches someone else, and then that person touches his or her eyes.

If you know someone with pink eye, avoid touching his or her pillowcases, towels, or other personal items.

Can pink eye be treated?

When pink eye is caused by infection, it is usually caused by a virus, so antibiotics will not help, but there are medications which can be prescribed to alleviate symptoms such as redness, irritation and itching. Still, pink eye caused by a virus can last several days. Pink eye caused by an infection with bacteria can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or gels.

When using eye drops for infection, do not touch your good eye after touching your affected eye, and do not touch the bottle or dropper directly in one eye and then use it in the other. Doing these things can cause the infection to spread from one eye to the other.

What if I wear contact lenses?

During treatment for eye infections, you might need to stop wearing your contacts for a short time. If your contacts are disposable, you will want to throw them away and start fresh. If you contacts are not disposable, you will need to carefully clean them. You should also throw away your contact lens case and get a new one.

Can pink eye be prevented?

To keep from getting or spreading pink eye, wash your hands often with soap and water. If washing is not possible, alcohol-based hand gels work, too. Also, avoid sharing towels, bedding, or other personal items with a person who has pink eye.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a condition that can cause a stuffy nose, pain in the face, and discharge (mucus) from the nose. The sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of the face. They have a thin lining that normally makes a small amount of mucus. When this lining gets irritated or infected, it swells and makes extra mucus. This causes symptoms.

Sinusitis can occur when a person gets sick with a cold. The germs causing the cold can also infect the sinuses. Many times, a person feels like his or her cold is getting better. But then he or she gets sinusitis and begins to feel sick again.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Common symptoms of sinusitis include:

• Stuffy or blocked nose
• Thick white, yellow, or green discharge from the nose
• Pain in the teeth
• Pain or pressure in the face – This often feels worse when a person bends forward.

Sinusitis can also have other symptoms that include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Trouble smelling
• Ear pressure or fullness
• Headache
• Bad breath
• Feeling tired

Most of the time, symptoms start to improve in 7 to 10 days.

Sometimes, sinusitis can lead to serious problems. Come in to First Care of Habersham right away if you have:

• Fever higher than 102°F (38.9°C)
• Sudden and severe pain in the face and head
• Trouble seeing or seeing double
• Trouble thinking clearly
• Swelling or redness around one or both eyes
• A stiff neck

How is sinusitis treated?

Sinusitis can be treated with antibiotics and medication for symptoms of cough, congestion and drainage. If cold symptoms have not improved after 7-10 days, let our providers determine the best treatment for you or your child.

Some people get a lot of sinus infections or have symptoms that last at least 3 months. These people can have a different type of sinusitis called “chronic sinusitis.” Chronic sinusitis can be caused by different things. For example, some people have growths in their nose or sinuses that are called “polyps.” Other people have allergies that cause their symptoms.

Chronic sinusitis can be treated in different ways. If you have chronic sinusitis, talk with us about which treatments are right for you.

What is the urinary tract?

The urinary tract is the group of organs in the body that handle urine. The urinary tract includes the:

• Kidneys, 2 bean-shaped organs that filter the blood to make urine
• Bladder, a balloon-shaped organ that stores urine
• Ureters, 2 tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
• Urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

What are urinary tract infections?

Urinary tract infections, also called “UTIs,” are infections that affect either the bladder or the kidneys:

• Bladder infections are more common than kidney infections. They happen when bacteria get into the urethra and travel up into the bladder. The medical term for bladder infection is “cystitis.”
• Kidney infections happen when the bacteria travel even higher, up into the kidneys. The medical term for kidney infection is “pyelonephritis.”

Both bladder and kidney infections are more common in women than men. 

What are the symptoms of a bladder infection?

The symptoms include:

• Pain or a burning feeling when you urinate
• Frequent urination
• Urgency and hesitancy of urination
• Blood in the urine

What are the symptoms of a kidney infection?

The symptoms of a kidney infection can include the symptoms of a bladder infection, but kidney infections can also cause:

• Fever
• Back pain
• Nausea or vomiting

How do you find out if you have a urinary tract infection?

Our providers at First Care of Habersham can do a simple urine test. If it appears you might have a kidney infection or is unsure what you have, a urine culture can be ordered to check for bacteria.

How are urinary tract infections treated?

Most urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotic pills. These pills work by killing the germs that cause the infection.

If you have a bladder infection, you will probably need to take antibiotics for 3 to 7 days. If you have a kidney infection, you will probably need to take antibiotics for longer – maybe for up to 2 weeks. If you have a kidney infection, it’s also possible you will need to be treated in the hospital.

Your symptoms should begin to improve within a day of starting antibiotics. But you should finish all the antibiotic pills you get. Otherwise your infection might come back.

If needed, you can also take a medicine to numb your bladder. This medicine eases the pain caused by urinary tract infections. It also reduces the need to urinate.

What is an ear infection?

An ear infection is a condition that can cause pain in the ear, fever, and trouble hearing. Ear infections are common in children.

Ear infections often occur in children after they get a cold. Fluid can build up in the middle part of the ear behind the eardrum. This fluid can become infected and press on the eardrum, causing it to bulge. This causes symptoms.

What are the symptoms of an ear infection?

In infants and young children, the symptoms include:

• Fever
• Pulling on the ear
• Being more fussy or less active than usual
• Having no appetite and not eating as much
• Vomiting or diarrhea

In older children and adults, symptoms often include ear pain or temporary hearing loss.

How do I know if my child has an ear infection?

If you think your child has an ear infection, come in to First Care of Habersham. Our experienced providers will be able to tell if your child has an ear infection. They will ask about symptoms, do an exam, and look in your child’s ears.

How are ear infections treated?

Ear infections are usually treated with antibiotics. These medicines kill bacteria that cause ear infections. Additional medication can be prescribed for common associated conditions such as nasal congestion and cough.