Three of the most common illnesses can be diagnosed and treated at M.D. Express Urgent Care when your doctor is unavailable.
Common Cold
This viral illness can strike at any time, but it is most prevalent during the cold, winter months. The common cold is characterized by a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, slight body aches, sneezing, and low-grade fever. Since it is a virus, antibiotics will not help. A visit to your primary care provider or local urgent care is not necessary. Supportive care, such as plenty of fluids, fever reducers, and throat lozenges are the best way to get through the common cold.
Occasionally, the common cold can cause complications like ear infections, especially in children. Monitor your child for signs of ear pain such as tugging at the ears, unrelenting fever, and extra fussiness. If your child is displaying any of these symptoms, take them to their primary care provider or your local urgent care.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is an illness caused by streptococci bacteria and is characterized by severe, often sudden sore throat, headache, fever, and body aches. The throat of the affected person will be swollen and red, and the tonsils may have white spots on them. The best way to differentiate strep throat from a viral infection is to note if there are any upper respiratory symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, cough, and congestion. Strep throat is not accompanied by these sinus/respiratory symptoms. Occasionally, it will be accompanied by a red body rash.
Strep throat requires diagnosis and treatment by a medical professional.The provider will order a swab to test for strep and, if positive, prescribe you antibiotics to clear the infection.
Influenza
Many people contract the seasonal influenza virus or “flu” every year. The symptoms of the flu are like those of the common cold only more severe. Be on the lookout for a high fever, severe body aches, dry, persistent cough, fatigue, sore throat, chills and sweats, headache, and nasal congestion. Influenza is not as big of a deal for otherwise healthy young adults, but the elderly, pregnant women, and children can easily die or have severe complications from the influenza virus.
Every year there is a seasonal influenza vaccination, available from M.D. Express Urgent Care. Rarely, people who have received the vaccine will still contract the flu. Because the flu has the potential to be so dangerous, you should get to your primary care provider or local urgent care within 48 hours of symptoms onset. They will test you for influenza and, if positive, prescribe antiviral medication for you and anyone in your household suspected of having the flu. Antivirals do not cure the virus but can prevent the symptoms from getting as bad and help the illness to resolve faster.
M.D. Express Urgent Care Centers have 6 convenient locations to provide for your medical needs. No appointment is necessary, because The Doctor Is Always In!
