Chills are a common symptom of the flu, often causing sudden shivering, goosebumps, and a feeling of being unusually cold even when you’re bundled up. But what if you experience chills without a fever? You might wonder whether you are coming down with the flu or if something else is causing your symptoms. The answer is yes, the flu can cause chills without a noticeable fever. Although fever is a common symptom of influenza ...
A cold can leave you dealing with a stuffy nose, sinus pressure, and thick mucus for days. But what happens when your other symptoms improve and your congestion refuses to go away? Lingering nasal congestion is common after a respiratory infection, but it can sometimes signal a sinus infection, allergies, or another condition that needs medical attention. Congestion can last longer than a typical cold, but symptoms that persist, worsen, or return after improving may ...
If you start feeling congested, sneezy, or generally under the weather every August or September, you might wonder, “Am I getting sick, or are my allergies acting up again?” For many people, the answer might be ragweed. Ragweed is one of the most common causes of fall seasonal allergies. A single ragweed plant can release billions of pollen grains into the air, and the pollen can travel considerable distances. If you’re sensitive to ragweed ...
A sore throat is one of those symptoms that can make you wonder what exactly is going on. Is it a cold? Allergies? Strep throat? Or maybe you actually have the fly. The flu can cause a sore throat, although it isn’t always the first symptom that people notice. Influenza often causes several symptoms at once, including fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, headaches, and a cough. A sore throat can also be part of ...
Feeling lightheaded on a hot summer day can be unsettling. Maybe you stood up and suddenly felt dizzy, became unsteady after exercising outside, or felt like you might faint after spending several hours in the heat. While there are many possible causes of lightheadedness, heat exhaustion is one potential explanation, especially when the symptom develops after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses too much water and salt through sweating ...
Abdominal pain can be difficult to understand, especially when it isn’t constant. You may feel perfectly fine for hours before suddenly experiencing cramping, pressure, or sharp pain that eventually fades away. Then, just when you think it’s gone, it returns. Abdominal pain that comes and goes can have many possible causes. Some are relatively minor, such as gas or constipation, while others may require medical evaluation. The location of the pain, how long ...
Heat exhaustion is one of the most common heat-related illnesses during the summer, especially during heat waves or periods of high humidity. It develops when your body loses excessive amounts of water and electrolytes through sweating, making it difficult to regulate your internal temperature. Many people expect to feel better after drinking water and spending some time in an air-conditioned room. While mild cases often improve within a few hours, it’s not unusual to ...
Traveling to the mountains can be an exciting experience, whether you’re planning a hiking trip, ski vacation, camping adventure, or sightseeing getaway. However for some travelers, arriving at a higher elevation comes with unexpected symptoms that can quickly put a damper on the trip. One of the most common questions people ask after arriving at a higher altitude is whether altitude sickness can cause nausea and vomiting. The answer is yes. In fact, nausea ...
Rashes are one of the most common reasons people visit urgent care during the spring and summer months. Whether you’ve been hiking, gardening, exercising outside, or simply spending more time in the heat, it can be difficult to determine exactly what’s causing an itchy, red, or irritated patch of skin. Many people immediately assume a rash is poison ivy, while others suspect heat rash. In reality, several different skin conditions can produce similar ...
Finding a tick attached to your skin can be alarming, and for good reason. While not every tick bite leads to illness, some ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease or other infections if they remain attached long enough. The big question most people have is whether or not they should go to urgent care for a tick bite. The answer depends on several factors, including how long the tick was attached, whether you were ...
Sinus pressure can be frustrating, especially when it lingers for days or even weeks without improvement. That tight, heavy feeling around your eyes, forehead, or cheeks can make it hard to focus, sleep, or even breathe comfortably. While occasional sinus pressure is common during a cold or allergy flare-up, persistent symptoms may point to something more than temporary congestion. Understanding the possible causes can help you figure out why your symptoms aren’t going away ...
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, and they can strike for a variety of reasons. If you’re dealing with facial pressure, congestion, or seasonal allergies, it’s easy to assume your headache is sinus-related. But not all headaches are caused by your sinuses, and misidentifying the source can delay proper treatment. So, how can you tell whether your headache is truly from your sinuses or something else entirely? Understanding the differences ...
As spring and fall roll around, many people brace themselves for the familiar symptoms of seasonal allergies: sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure. But what about that unexpected ringing or buzzing sound in your ears? If you’ve noticed this symptom during allergy season, you’re not alone. Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, can sometimes be linked to allergic reactions. Understanding the connection between seasonal allergies and ear symptoms can help ...
Many people with seasonal allergies notice a frustrating pattern: symptoms seem manageable during the day but become much worse at night. Congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, and post-nasal drip may intensify just as you’re trying to fall asleep. If your allergies seem to flare up after the sun goes down, you’re not alone. Nighttime allergy symptoms are common and can make it difficult to get the rest your body needs. Understanding why allergies worsen ...
Few illnesses come on as abruptly as norovirus. One moment you may feel completely fine, and the next you’re dealing with intense nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If symptoms develop suddenly and spread quickly among family members, coworkers, or classmates, norovirus is often the cause. Commonly referred to as the “stomach flu,” norovirus is not related to influenza. Instead, it’s a highly contagious virus that affects the stomach and intestines, causing inflammation known as ...
A day on the mountain can quickly turn from fun to painful after a fall or collision. Skiing and snowboarding place stress on joints, bones, and muscles, especially when speed, uneven terrain, or icy conditions are involved. Fortunately, many common injuries can be evaluated and treated quickly at urgent care. Knowing which injuries urgent care can manage, and which require emergency services, can help you make the right decision quickly after an accident. Need rapid ...
Getting a flu shot is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself during flu season, but many people are unsure how quickly it actually works. If you’ve recently been vaccinated, or are planning to get your shot, you may be wondering when you’ll be fully protected and what to expect in the days following vaccination. Understanding how long it takes for the flu shot to become effective can help you make ...
Chest tightness is a symptom that can quickly cause concern, especially when it develops during an illness. While most people associate the flu with fever, body aches, cough, and fatigue, some individuals also experience chest tightness. This often leads to an important question: Is chest tightness a symptom of the flu? In some cases yes, but it’s important to understand why it happens and when it may signal something more serious. For same-day flu ...
Ear infections are common, especially in children, but adults can get them too. One of the most noticeable signs is fever, which often prompts patients to wonder: Is this normal, or should I be concerned? Understanding how fever relates to ear infection can help you know when to manage symptoms at home and when it might be necessary to seek urgent care. For same-day ear infection treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care ...
Nausea is often associated with stomach bugs, but many people are surprised to feel sick to their stomach when they have the flu. If you’re dealing with nausea alongside body aches, fever, or respiratory symptoms, it can be hard to tell whether you’re dealing with influenza or a gastrointestinal illness. While nausea is more commonly linked to stomach bugs, it can be a symptom of the flu, especially in children and some adults ...
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