Bronchitis, Cough and Pneumonia Care in Charlotte
Walk in for bronchitis, a cough that won’t go away, wheezing or walking pneumonia at our Steele Creek and Plaza Midwood clinics in Charlotte, open 7 days. A provider checks your vitals and oxygen level, listens to your lungs and recommends a care plan. Tests, chest X-rays at Steele Creek and prescription treatments are used when appropriate. With most NC Medicaid plans, covered-visit copays are usually $0 or $4; confirm coverage and cost with your plan. Self-pay visits start at $140, plus tests, X-rays and treatments.
- ✓ Breathing treatments in the clinic for wheezing and a tight chest
- ✓ Chest X-ray at Steele Creek if pneumonia is a concern; radiologist review timing varies
- ✓ Inhalers like albuterol and prescription cough medicine
- ✓ Treatment tailored to your diagnosis; antibiotics and systemic steroids are not routine for uncomplicated bronchitis
- ✓ Flare-up care for asthma, COPD and chronic bronchitis
- ✓ In network with most NC Medicaid plans; confirm your specific plan
Save my spotInsurance we accept
¿Tiene tos, bronquitis o le cuesta respirar? Venga sin cita. En visitas cubiertas por la mayoría de los planes de Medicaid de Carolina del Norte, el copago suele ser $0 o $4. Confirme la cobertura y el costo con su plan.
On this page
SymptomsAcute or chronic?Walking pneumoniaDo I need antibiotics?ComplicationsCough relief at homeMedicaid coverageWhen it’s an emergency
Bronchitis and cough treatment at OneSpotMD
The provider decides on treatment based on your symptoms, your exam and your health history, so you get what you need and nothing you don’t.
| What we do | When it helps |
|---|---|
| Vitals and oxygen check | Every visit, including your oxygen level with a quick finger clip |
| Lung exam | Every visit. The provider listens for wheezing, crackles or other signs of infection. |
| Testing | When your symptoms call for it, such as a flu, COVID or RSV test or a strep test |
| Breathing treatment | Selected wheezing or airflow obstruction after examination. Not routine for every case of bronchitis; severe trouble breathing needs emergency care. |
| Chest X-ray (Steele Creek) | A concern for pneumonia. Radiologist review timing varies. |
| Inhaler | Selected wheezing or airflow obstruction when clinically indicated. |
| Prescription cough medicine | A cough that keeps you up at night or won’t let up |
| Antibiotics | Pneumonia or a bacterial infection, sent to your pharmacy |
| Steroid shot or prednisone | Selected asthma or COPD flare-ups after assessment. Systemic steroids are not routine treatment for uncomplicated acute bronchitis. |
| Antibiotic shot | Some bacterial infections, when a shot is the better option |
| Hospital care | Severe pneumonia or trouble breathing that needs a hospital stay. We send you to the hospital right away. |
Bronchitis symptoms
Bronchitis is swelling of the airways that carry air to your lungs. It most often starts after a cold, the flu or another virus.
- A cough that lasts days or weeks, with or without mucus
- Clear, white, yellow or green mucus
- Chest soreness or tightness
- Wheezing or a whistling sound when you breathe
- Shortness of breath, especially when you’re active
- Low fever and chills
- Tiredness and body aches
- Sore throat and runny nose at the start
Acute or chronic bronchitis?
| Type | What it is | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Acute bronchitis | Usually follows a cold, flu or other virus. Most common type. | The cough can last up to 3 weeks |
| Chronic bronchitis | Ongoing swelling of the airways, most often from smoking. Part of COPD. | A cough with mucus for at least 3 months a year, 2 years in a row |
We treat flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, COPD and asthma, and our primary care team can help you manage them over time.
Bronchitis, pneumonia or a cold?
| Illness | Typical signs | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Cold | Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, mild cough | Rest, fluids, symptom relief |
| Bronchitis | Lingering cough, chest tightness, mucus, sometimes wheezing | Supportive care; inhaled medicine only for selected wheezing or airflow obstruction |
| Pneumonia | Cough with fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain when you breathe | Examination, imaging when appropriate, and treatment based on the cause and severity |
| Flu or COVID | Sudden fever, body aches, cough | A rapid test, and antivirals when they’re right for you |
Walking pneumonia and pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. Walking pneumonia is a milder form: you feel sick enough to notice, but usually not sick enough to stay in bed.
Pneumonia symptoms
- Cough, often with mucus
- Fever, sweats and chills
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain when you breathe in or cough
- Feeling very tired
- Confusion, especially in older adults
How we treat it
If pneumonia is a concern, we can do a chest X-ray at our Steele Creek clinic; radiologist review timing varies. Some patients can be treated as outpatients, while others need hospital care. The provider considers oxygen levels, vital signs, age, other illnesses and ability to take medicines. Antibiotics treat bacterial pneumonia; steroids are not routine outpatient pneumonia treatment. Severe illness needs emergency assessment.
Learn more about our on-site X-ray.
Do I need antibiotics for bronchitis?
Usually not. Routine antibiotics are not recommended for uncomplicated acute bronchitis, regardless of cough duration. Yellow or green mucus alone does not indicate a bacterial infection. The cough can last up to 3 weeks even as you get better. The provider may send antibiotics to your pharmacy if you have pneumonia or signs of a bacterial infection.
| Usually viral bronchitis | May need more care |
|---|---|
| Started after a cold or the flu | Fever that lasts more than 3 days |
| Slowly getting better | Getting better, then worse again |
| Mild chest tightness | Shortness of breath, chest pain or crackles in the lungs |
Possible bronchitis complications
Most uncomplicated acute bronchitis improves without antibiotics. Pneumonia may occur alongside or after a respiratory infection, or may initially resemble bronchitis. Worsening symptoms need reassessment; lack of antibiotics does not mean viral bronchitis was untreated.
- Pneumonia, an infection deeper in the lungs
- Asthma flare-ups
- COPD flare-ups
- Low oxygen levels
- Persistent or recurrent symptoms that may indicate an underlying condition, especially with smoking or other irritant exposure
- Severe pneumonia that needs a hospital stay, especially in older adults, babies and people with heart or lung disease
Seek assessment if your cough lasts more than 3 weeks or symptoms worsen. Fever with breathing difficulty needs urgent evaluation; severe breathing difficulty requires emergency care.
Cough relief at home
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids
- Use a clean humidifier or comfortably warm shower; avoid hot steam or scalding water
- A spoonful of honey can ease a cough, but never give honey to babies under 1 year
- Adults may rest with the head elevated. Infants must sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface without pillows or an incline.
- Stay away from smoke and other things that bother your lungs
- Ask a pharmacist or clinician about cough medicine, following age limits and label directions; benefits may be limited and interactions can occur
- Don’t give over-the-counter cough and cold medicine to children under 4 unless a provider says it’s okay
Bronchitis and cough treatment with NC Medicaid
We’re in network with most NC Medicaid plans. Copays for covered visits are usually $0 or $4. Confirm coverage and costs for the visit, tests, X-rays and treatments with your plan.
- Copay: you pay the copay amount set by your plan at the visit.
- Deductible or coinsurance: your share depends on your plan and services received. You may receive a bill after insurance processes the claim.
- NC Medicaid plans: copays for covered visits are usually $0 or $4; check your plan.
Self-pay prices
These are discounted prices for patients who don’t have insurance or choose not to use it. Visits start at $140. Tests, X-rays and treatments you need are added to that.
See all the plans we take on our insurance page.
Cough or bronchitis: urgent care or the ER?
- A cough that lasts more than a week, or keeps getting worse
- Wheezing or a tight chest
- A cough with fever or green or yellow mucus
- Mild shortness of breath
- An asthma or COPD flare-up that gets better with your inhaler
- Severe trouble breathing, or you can’t speak in full sentences
- Lips or face turning blue or gray
- Chest pain or pressure
- Coughing up a lot of blood
- Confusion or trouble staying awake
- Anything you think is life-threatening
What to expect at your visit
What to bring
- A photo ID
- Your insurance or Medicaid card
- A list of your medicines, including any inhalers you use
Related services
Flu, COVID and RSV testingSinus infectionsSore throat and strepX-ray (Steele Creek)Insurance we accept
Further reading: CDC chest cold guidance and antibiotic treatment guidance.
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