This is the time of year when viruses thrive the most, that’s why it’s often referred to as flu season. Flu season technically begins in October, but the illness spreads as late as early spring! When you’re battling a virus like the flu, it’s important to be able to get the care that you need when you need it. Keep reading to learn a little more about how an urgent care center could help you manage your winter virus!
Diagnosis of Viruses
If you come to the urgent care complaining of the flu, the staff will first need to confirm that diagnosis. There isn’t a way to test for the flu, but your symptoms are typically enough to diagnose your illness. Common flu symptoms the urgent care staff will look for include:
- High fever or chills
- Congestion or runny nose
- Body aches and general fatigue
- Sore throat
- Gastrointestinal symptoms – vomiting or diarrhea
Flu symptoms typically come on quickly and although some may improve without treatment, other symptoms can stick around for longer than you’d like. If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms and they’re continuing to get worse instead of better, it’s time to go to urgent care!
Symptom Management
There is no cure for the flu, but your symptoms can be made a little more tolerable with a mix of prescription medication, over the counter medication, and home remedies. Discuss any over the counter medications and home remedies you’re using with the urgent care staff so they can accurately write you a prescription if you need one. Urgent care centers can also help to get you hydrated, lower you fever, and prevent symptoms from getting worse.
Preventative Care at Urgent Care
Urgent care centers are also equipped with the tools they need to help you prevent a virus this winter. Stop in your local urgent care to get your flu shot if you haven’t already. Even though it’s already winter, it isn’t too late to get vaccinated! Flu season can last as late as May, so there’s no reason to leave yourself unprotected any longer. Getting the flu shot reduces your risk of the flu by over 80%. Flu vaccines have little to no side effects and are covered in full by most major insurance companies.
Rather you need to manage your symptoms or if you’re trying to prevent them before they occur, urgent care can help! Look online to find the nearest urgent care center to you and get familiar with their hours of operation. There’s nothing better than knowing right where to go when you’re in need of quick, quality, affordable care for your illness or injury!
