With flu season coming around the corner, you need to be prepared. If you are experiencing symptoms of the flu, maybe you should visit an urgent care clinic.
The Basics
In many cases when you fall ill with the flu, it’s not serious enough to warrant medical attention. Lots or rest and hydration can usually be enough to stave off the sickness. The common symptoms of the flu are:
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever and Chills
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you stay home and away from others for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks. Usually the only people who need additional care during this time are young children and elderly individuals, or people with conditions that cause a weakened immune system.
Treating the Flu with Medicine
If your flu symptoms are more serious than the mostly commonly found instances, antiviral medication may be prescribed to help combat it. These will help bolster your immune system so that it can better fight off the infection. It can also help mitigate the risk of you contracting additional complications like bronchitis. A doctor at an urgent care facility will be able to tell if you need an antiviral, and provide additional advice on helping treat the illness.
When Does the Flu Warrant Urgent Care?
If your flu symptoms persist for a longer than average time without alleviation, you may require intervention. Some reasons why people go to a an urgent care clinic for the flu include:
- Your symptoms persist for a longer than usual length of time.
- The symptoms you’re experiencing are different than what you’ve experienced before.
- You have persistent fever that won’t subside.
- You’re dehydrated and losing fluids without being able to keep them down.
- Vomiting and diarrhea aren’t subsiding.
Dehydration is one of the most common complications that can stem from the flu. If you have frequent diarrhea and vomiting you’re losing fluids, and if you are unable to replenish those fluids adequately dehydration can compound the illness, making it harder to recover from. If you experience any of the above heading to an urgent care facility is advised for proper treatment.
Complications
If not properly treated, severe cases of the flu have a chance to cause more complications. Pneumonia is a commonly found complication in elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. This can cause hospitalization if not treated quickly. Bronchitis can also develop with the flu, in addition to sinus and ear infections, which require additional treatment as well. To prevent complications from escalating, seek medical treatment as soon as you feel you aren’t recovering adequately, or have different than usual symptoms.
Urgent care centers can be a good choice if you either don’t have a primary care physician, or your physician is further away. They are walk in clinics, so no appointment is necessary, though you may have the option to make one online or over the phone before hand. Additionally, if you want to help prevent catching the flu, many urgent care clinics offer vaccinations as well. During this flu season, don’t take any chances with your health. Do what you can to stay healthy, but have a plan for a quick recovery if you do fall ill.