Emergency signs that require urgent care

During cold and flu season, it's important to know when at-home treatment is appropriate or when symptoms are serious enough to seek immediate medical help. And when you do need help, it's important to know where to go.

Urgent care centers provide quick assessment and treatment for cold and flu emergencies, ensuring you promptly get the care you need.

Understanding cold and flu symptoms

Cold and flu are caused by different viruses but share similar symptoms, making them hard to differentiate without medical testing. Symptoms of both often include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Muscle aches

These can range from mild to severe and evolve over the course of the illness. Monitoring these symptoms is crucial, particularly during the flu season, to identify any changes in severity or the development of complications.

Treating cold and flu symptoms

For individuals experiencing mild symptoms of cold or flu, such as a slight fever, moderate cough or nasal congestion, home management is often the best course of action. Increasing fluid intake, getting adequate rest and taking over-the-counter medications can significantly help lessen symptoms.

Additionally, using a humidifier to ease breathing or gargling with salt water to soothe a sore throat can be helpful. If these treatments don't get you relief or if your symptoms worsen despite these treatments, you may need to seek additional care.

If you experience a high fever, trouble breathing, severe vomiting or diarrhea, a bad headache with confusion or chest pain, it's important to go to urgent care right away. These symptoms could indicate a serious problem that needs immediate medical attention.

Role of Main Line Health urgent care centers with extended hours

Main Line Health urgent care centers serve as a crucial bridge between routine doctor visits and emergency room care, especially for conditions like colds and flu that can escalate unexpectedly. They provide a range of services, from diagnostic tests to IV fluids, to address urgent health concerns. By providing a convenient alternative to emergency rooms, these centers help you get care more quickly.

Our urgent care centers with extended hours offer flexibility for people with busy schedules or sudden symptoms, providing prompt medical attention for urgent needs like severe flu. Being open in the evenings, on weekends and on holidays can make a big difference in managing symptoms and preventing complications. Additionally, if you see a Main Line HealthCare primary care provider, you have access various virtual primary care programs at Main Line Health.

Make the most of your urgent care visit

Before going to urgent care, make sure you have all your medical documents, insurance card and medication list ready. Having this information on hand helps the staff give you the best care possible. Also, write down any symptoms or concerns to discuss with the provider, which can make your visit smoother and help address your health needs quickly.

When going to urgent care for cold or flu symptoms, it's important to clearly communicate how your symptoms started, how they have progressed and how severe they are. Make sure to mention any pre-existing conditions or allergies, as this can affect the treatment you receive. Urgent care providers can help refer you to specialists if needed, so be sure to provide all necessary details for the best care possible.

Take preventive measures this cold and flu season

Getting a flu shot every year is important to protect yourself from the flu virus. In addition to vaccination, practicing good personal hygiene — like washing your hands regularly, using hand sanitizer and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze — can help stop the spread of cold and flu viruses.

Avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick and keeping surfaces in your home and workplace clean and disinfected also contribute to preventing illness. Taking simple steps can greatly lower your chances of getting sick, protecting both yourself and others in the community.

Next steps:

Skip the wait. Reserve your urgent care spot online.
Learn more about virtual primary care at Main Line Health
How the flu shot works-and why you should get yours