Now that the weather is cooling down, illness cases are rising. While the weather doesn’t directly cause illnesses, it forces us indoors which increases the spread of illnesses through uncirculated air and commonly touched surfaces picking up germs. RSV, Colds and the Flu are all common illnesses in the fall and winter months, but how do you know which illness is causing your symptoms? Keep reading to learn more about diagnosing common illnesses like RSV, Colds and the Flu.
If you’re feeling under the weather and searching for rapid symptom relief, look no further than AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook. Our walk-in urgent care clinic in Bound Brook, NJ offers same-day illness symptom diagnosis and treatment on a walk-in basis. Simply walk in when it’s convenient, or save your spot online in advance below. We’re open 7 days a week!
Understanding The Connection Between RSV, Colds & the Flu
Although RSV, the Flu and Colds are all uniquely different illnesses, they’re more similar than you may think. All of these illnesses are examples of viral infections which primarily affect the upper respiratory system. As a result, they will cause similar symptoms including congestion, coughing, runny nose, post-nasal drip, fatigue, and sore throats. However, RSV and the flu are generally considered more severe infections which can cause severe symptoms like a fever and trouble breathing.
Diagnosing & Treating Viral Infections
RSV, the flu and colds often will begin with similar symptoms. In the case of the flu and RSV, symptoms will progressively worsen with time. If you’re vaccinated against the flu or RSV, you’re unlikely to experience severe symptoms. There is no vaccine to prevent colds, since they are typically so mild and can be caused by a wide range of different viruses.
Because the flu, colds and RSV are caused by viruses, there is no medication available to treat them. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom management and self-isolation to avoid spreading your infection to others.
When to Seek Medical Care
If you start to feel sick and experience upper respiratory illness symptoms, you should monitor your symptoms closely. If they worsen over time or are severe, you may need medical care to manage your symptoms. It is important to self-isolate to avoid spreading your symptoms to others. If you have underlying heart or lung conditions, or are immuno-compromised, you may need additional support for your body to fight off the infection.
Walk Into AFC Bound Brook for Same-Day Illness Treatment
Viral infections are highly contagious and can cause severe symptoms in some cases. Individuals who are considered to be at-risk for severe illness including the elderly, young children, and anyone with underlying health conditions may require immediate supportive care. If you’re feeling under the weather, monitoring your symptoms closely and self-isolating is important to prevent the spread of your symptoms to others.
For rapid same-day illness symptom diagnosis and treatment for conditions like RSV, the flu and colds, you can count on AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook. We have a laboratory on-site for rapid same-day illness diagnosis. We work with most medical insurance providers and have affordable rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, walk into the clinic or contact us directly by calling (732) 469-3627.
