Hello, my name is Gregory. When I was a young lad, I had to enter the health care world in an unexpected way. I developed a serious disease out of the blue that took doctors by surprise. I went through so many different testing procedures before my doctors could diagnose the rare disease. Everyone around me reeled as they tried to understand the purpose and process of the diagnostic tests. I hope to help others understand these important tests better through this website. Please come by often to learn all you need to know about medical diagnostics and working closely with health care professionals.
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Urgent Care And The Flu: FAQs About Getting Help
Nanja Bongers
Do you have flu-like symptoms? If you think you may have the flu, but aren't sure if urgent care is the right next step, take a look at the whys, wheres, and whens of getting medical help.
Why Should You Get Medical Help for the Flu?
Even though the flu is a common illness, this virus can cause serious health issues. While most people recover from influenza without significant problems, some may experience severe flu-related symptoms.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu may only last for a few days to two weeks. But the CDC notes that some people may have life-threatening complications. These include pneumonia and sepsis. People ages 65 and over, anyone with a chronic condition (heart disease, diabetes, or asthma), people who are pregnant, and young children under age five are more likely to have serious flu-related complications.
The potential for severe symptoms or complications makes it important to get medical help for the flu as soon as possible. If you have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, severe muscle pain, pain/pressure in your abdomen or chest area, seizures, severe weakness, can't urinate, or continue to feel worse, you need immediate care from a hospital/emergency room.
Children who have any of these symptoms, have a bluish tint to their lips or face, have fast breathing, have a fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that doesn't respond to medication (or any fever in an infant under 12 weeks old), are not alert, or are dehydrated may also need emergency medical help from a hospital, according to the CDC. Contact your child's pediatrician immediately if they have any of these symptoms, get worse, or you have any concerns about their health.
Where Can You Get Medical Help For the Flu?
Again, if you or your child has severe flu-like symptoms, go to the emergency room. But if you have mild symptoms or just don't feel well, an urgent care clinic can help. Instead of waiting hours or even days for a doctor's appointment, you can see an urgent care clinic medical provider right away. The sooner you see a medical provider, the sooner you can start treatment (such as an antiviral medication).
When Can You Get Medical Help For the Flu?
Not only can you see an urgent clinic provider without making an appointment, but these clinics are also typically open during non-traditional hours—including evenings and weekends. The flu isn't a virus that you can diagnose without a medical provider or a test. If you have flu symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, body aches, nasal congestion, sore throat, or fatigue, visit your nearest urgent care clinic as soon as possible.
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