Receive Emergency Treatment for Pneumonia in Southern California
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by irritation, viruses, or bacteria. Viral and bacterial infections are the primary cause of pneumonia. You also can get pneumonia from a fungal infection, after aspiration of liquid into the lungs, or during exposure to certain gasses or lung irritants. Pneumonia is curable but can present life-threatening complications for infants and older adults with immune disorders or chronic diseases. Seek emergency care or call 911 if you or someone else suspects pneumonia in Southern California.
Emergency services at Dignity Health Southern California promptly treat all potential cases of pneumonia with kindness and compassion. We strive to quickly assess your symptoms of pneumonia and restore your wellbeing. If you prefer to wait at home until you’re treated, use our online waiting tool InQuicker for one of our convenient locations in Camarillo, Glendale, Long Beach, Northridge, Downtown LA, Oxnard, and in Inland Empire cities San Bernardino, Fontana, and Highland. Just select an estimated arrival time and come to our emergency department when you’re ready to be seen.
Symptoms of Pneumonia & When to Seek Emergency Care
Healthy adults may only experience moderate symptoms, such as chest congestion, fatigue, fever, and shortness of breath. Pneumonia symptoms can be severe for people with poor health conditions. Your primary care doctor at a Dignity Health Southern California hospital or urgent care center can help alleviate these symptoms and confirm a diagnosis of pneumonia.
Certain symptoms of pneumonia signal a medical emergency. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room for the following symptoms:
- Rapid, labored breathing
- A wheezing or whistling sound while breathing
- Gurgling sounds in the throat
- Moderate or severe shortness of breath
- High fever
- Confusion or lethargy
- Bluish lips or fingernails
Pneumonia Treatment at Dignity Health Southern California
Upon arriving at our emergency department, your care team will listen to all of your symptoms and begin any necessary emergency diagnostic tests, such as imaging exams, X-rays, blood tests, blood culture, and pulse oximetry, which reveals the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood. These will help your doctor diagnose and treat your pneumonia.
After a diagnosis, your doctor may recommend antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, over-the-counter medication, fluids, and rest. For more severe cases of pneumonia, our emergency department is equipped with bronchodilators and other state-of-the-art medical technology to ease your breathing.
At Dignity Health Southern California, treating pneumonia means clearing the infection and easing the symptoms. Your doctor will also pinpoint the cause of the infection to help you stay healthy and infection free. Visit one of our emergency departments for complete pneumonia treatment in Southern California.
Trained emergency services staff at Dignity Health treat pneumonia in Southern California.