5 Common Infections Treated Through Urgent Care

You’re battling an illness and subsequent symptoms, but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. You think you may have an infection, but should you visit urgent care or the emergency room? 

If you’ve found yourself asking this question, you’re certainly not alone. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell what warrants immediate care and what can wait. 

Typically, if your condition is life-threatening, an immediate trip to the emergency room is necessary. If your condition is somewhat serious but still needs attention within 24 hours, urgent care is the best option.

At San Feliz Urgent Care in Glendale, California, our team understands how important it is to seek prompt care for a potential infection. So, in this month’s blog, we’re highlighting some common infections that we can quickly diagnose and treat to restore your health and well-being.

1. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be triggered by a virus or bacteria. When you have pneumonia, the tissues inside your lungs become swollen and filled with fluid or pus. 

A bacterial pneumonia infection can be caused by the same bacteria that cause sinus or ear infections, and a viral pneumonia infection can be caused by viruses such as the common cold or the flu. 

Pneumonia can range from mild to severe, and the severity partly depends on the root cause. It can be easy to have pneumonia without realizing it since it often mimics symptoms of a cold or the flu. 

However, pneumonia can pose life-threatening complications if left untreated. So, if you notice symptoms, such as a high fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a cough accompanied by thick mucus, seek prompt care from our urgent care team. 

2. Strep throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of your throat and tonsils, triggered by bacteria that can live in your nose and throat. 

This infection differs from a sore throat caused by the common cold or influenza. When you have strep throat, your sore throat typically comes on quickly and is accompanied by a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and white patches in your throat. Strep throat is also distinct because it doesn’t cause any respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose or cough. 

Since strep throat is a bacterial infection, it always requires professional treatment. If you notice strep throat symptoms, schedule an appointment for strep throat testing and treatment. 

3. Sinus infections

A sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become swollen and inflamed. When your sinuses are swollen, fluid becomes trapped, providing the perfect environment for infectious germs to grow. 

Oftentimes, a sinus infection can be mistaken for the common cold. In addition to nasal congestion and a sore throat, sinus infections have a few of their very own symptoms, such as severe facial pain and tenderness, sinus headaches, low-grade fever, and throat irritation from mucus drainage. 

Sometimes, sinus infections can go away on their own. But if your symptoms last for several weeks, your infection could be bacterial and require more aggressive treatment from our team.

4. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

A UTI happens when bacteria enter any part of your urinary system, including your bladder, ureters, kidneys, and urethra, and infect it. UTIs can cause numerous uncomfortable symptoms, such as a constant urge to urinate, pain while urinating, cloudy urine, and pelvic pain. 

If the UTI is mild and only affects your bladder and urethra, it can be treated easily and quickly. However, if the infection spreads to your kidneys, more serious complications can arise.

Most often, antibiotics are needed to eliminate the urinary infection, so as soon as you notice any symptoms of one, seek treatment from our urgent care team to avoid more serious health risks.  

5. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

A sexually transmitted disease (STD), or sexually transmitted infection (STI), is a condition or infection contracted through sexual activity. STDs are highly contagious. And while all STDs pose serious health risks, some types cause severe and obvious symptoms, while others don’t have any symptoms at all. 

Common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and trichomoniasis. 

If you do develop STD symptoms, such as pain during sex, genital warts or sores, or unusual discharge from your penis or vagina, seek prompt STD testing and treatment. Even if you don’t have any STD symptoms, it’s still important to be screened for STDs regularly if you’re sexually active. 

For diagnosis and treatment for any of these infections, schedule an appointment with our urgent care team by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.