The flu can start suddenly and make you feel miserable fast. While most people recover at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicine, sometimes the flu can become serious and require professional medical attention. Knowing when to go to urgent care is important. It can prevent complications and help you recover more quickly. Here are three warning signs of the flu you should never ignore and why seeking timely care matters.
Severe Dehydration and Vomiting
One of the most dangerous complications of the flu is dehydration, especially if it’s accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. When your body loses more fluids than it takes in, it can’t function properly.
Signs of dehydration include:
- Dry mouth or cracked lips
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Very little or dark-colored urine
- Weakness or extreme fatigue
If you can’t keep fluids down, it’s time to visit urgent care. Your medical provider can help restore hydration through IV fluids and monitor your condition to prevent further complications. Dehydration can become life-threatening if not treated promptly particularly in children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Confusion or Dizziness
The flu can sometimes cause symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, or difficulty staying alert. These signs should never be ignored, as they could indicate a more severe infection, severe dehydration, or a dangerous drop in oxygen levels.
Persistent High Fever
A mild fever is a normal immune response, but a high or prolonged fever can signal a more serious infection. If your temperature remains above 102°F (38.9°C) for more than 2 days, or spikes repeatedly despite fever-reducing medication, it’s time to see a healthcare professional.
Persistent fever may indicate that your body is struggling to fight off the flu virus or that a secondary bacterial infection has developed, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, or pneumonia. Your medical provider can perform rapid flu and strep tests, take a chest X-ray if needed, and prescribe antiviral or antibiotic medication to help you recover faster.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Back Bay for Rapid Flu Care Today
If your flu symptoms are severe, worsening, or not improving after several days, don’t wait it out at home. Visit an urgent care center if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, dehydration, confusion, or a persistent high fever. At AFC Urgent Care Back Bay, our expert medical providers can quickly evaluate your condition and help manage your symptoms safely.
Early treatment not only shortens recovery time but also prevents serious flu-related complications. That is why our walk-in clinic is open 7 days a week, and provides care on a walk-in basis with short wait times. We accept most medical insurance plans, and have affordable rates for self paying patients. To learn more, walk into the clinic or give our team a call at (617) 869-0500.
