Wintertime is a time filled with plenty of joy and fun festivities, but it’s also a time filled with illness. Winter is commonly known as cold and flu season, but the cause of these illnesses isn’t actually the cold winter weather. Keep reading to learn a little more about these common winter illnesses and how to combat them!
Types of Illnesses
The two most common winter illnesses are the cold and the flu. These two illnesses present with similar symptoms, but there are a few key differences that set them apart. With both the cold and the flu you can expect congestion, runny nose, cough, fatigue, and headache. However, the flu comes along with a few extra symptoms that a common cold would not present. These include a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. Flu symptoms typically last 1 to 2 weeks, whereas a common cold should only last 3-5 days.
Seeking Treatment
When you fall ill during the winter months, seeking treatment is important. Getting treated will help you to manage your symptoms and return to normal life more quickly. There is no cure for these winter illnesses, but you can make your symptoms more tolerable until the illness has run its course. Begin treatment at home with over the counter treatment for headache, cough, and nasal congestion. If symptoms persist or you’re suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms, it’s time to seek some professional help.
How Can Urgent Care Help?
Urgent care centers are the best option when you’re seeking treatment for a cold or the flu. Urgent care centers are able to provide same-day treatment with flexible hours. You won’t be left waiting for an appointment with your primary care physician, and you won’t be stuck trying to pay high emergency room fines. Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics are able to perform tests to diagnose you, write scripts, and offer advice on how to manage your illness at home. Urgent care centers see people on a first come first serve basis too, so you’ll never be left waiting for too long!
When you find yourself struggling to overcome an illness this winter, your local urgent care is the answer! Our team of experienced staff members are standing by, ready to treat your symptoms. If you aren’t ill yet and would like to learn more about preventing illness this winter, we have all of the vaccinations and tips you need. Come in and see us today!