Common Colds, Cough and Flu Treatment Doctor Q&A

The cold and flu symptoms can not only make patients feel rundown, but they can also affect their daily lives. Normally,  colds and flu will dissipate on their own without medical intervention but there are some situations when a patient should seek medical care for their colds and flu.
 
If you have been sick with symptoms of the cold or flu, some symptoms should be a concern for patients, especially if the symptoms have been ongoing for an extended period. These symptoms include severe fatigue and muscle aches, chest pains, shortness of breath, a fever that exceeds 105 Fahrenheit, a fever that lasts longer than 72 hours, and the sensation of feeling you cannot catch your breath. Since colds and the flu are not normally life-threatening these symptoms can indicate a secondary infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you have been sick for over a week and are finding that your symptoms are worsening day to day, this can also be an indication of a secondary infection or an issue with your immune system fighting off the sickness. In this situation, it is also appropriate to seek medical care at an urgent care facility like Walking Urgent Care.

Since urgent care doctors are trained in the pathology of illnesses, there are benefits to seeking care from them when you are experiencing worsening cold and flu symptoms. There are medications that patients can get over-the-counter for cold and flu symptoms such as decongestions, ibuprofen, and acetameophine, which can help with the associated muscle pains and congestion; however, these medications may not be as beneficial as receiving a prescribed medication for your sickness, since physicians can prescribe slightly stronger medications to patients as needed.
 
In the situation where you have been worsening your symptoms or are experiencing symptoms that indicate a secondary infection, the physician will also be able to determine if there is a secondary infection and prescribe additional medications to make sure the symptoms do not become worse with time. This is why it is very beneficial to seek medical care when you are experiencing cold and flu symptoms, since the weakened immune system from trying to fight off what has made you sick increases the risk of an infection or illness like pneumonia.

As previously noted, some symptoms indicate that you should seek medical care or immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, a fever of 105 Fahrenheit, or the sensation of not being able to breathe deeply, you should seek immediate care, as this can indicate a secondary infection or illness that needs to be managed. If you are experiencing symptoms like chest pain or a blue tone to the lips or tips of the fingers, these symptoms indicate something life-threatening and you should seek care immediately.

Yes, they do, but this will be based on factors such as what is causing your cold and flu symptoms. If you are experiencing worsening symptoms or indications of a secondary illness, then you may be given medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or steroid injections. In the case that your illness is only from the cold or flu, the physician will prescribe you appropriate medications for the symptoms you are experiencing, such as decongestant medications, or may recommend you take a certain amount of acetaminophen or ibuprofen until your symptoms lessen.
 
If you are concerned about the symptoms you are experiencing, from their worsening to the sensation of chest tightening, our professional medical team at Walking Urgent Care is here for you. Whether there are any secondary causes of your condition or prescriptions for medications to manage your symptoms, we are available to you. For more information, contact us or schedule a telemedicine appointment. We are conveniently locatedat 10308 W Sample Road Coral Springs, FL 33065. We serve patients from Coral Springs FL, Parkland FL, Tamarac FL, Margate FL, North Lauderdale FL, Boca Raton FL, Coconut Creek FL, and surrounding areas.