Flu season is upon us, so it’s time to be aware of one of the most common illnesses of winter: the flu (influenza). At Specialty Urgent Care in Michigan, we’re seeing the usual uptick in flu cases around this time, but peak season hasn’t even hit yet (that’s December and January). Today we’ll talk about knowing when symptoms are manageable at home and when you should seek urgent care in the Metro Detroit area.
Typical Flu Symptoms
The flu usually comes on quickly and hits harder than the common cold. According to the CDC, common flu symptoms include:
- High fever and shaking chills
- Severe body aches and fatigue
- Persistent dry cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- Headache, possibly nausea or vomiting (especially in children)
- Symptoms that hit quickly and hard
Most people who come down with the flu will get better in just a few days or a week; however, left untreated, you could develop complications, such as pneumonia, which could be life-threatening.
Once you start feeling worse than just a typical cold, spiking a high fever with intense aches and exhaustion, be proactive and get tested and treated for flu.
When to Manage Flu at Home
Most people – especially otherwise healthy adults — can manage the flu at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter fever reducers. If you’re not in a high-risk group and don’t have severe symptoms, it’s a safe bet that you can manage this illness at home, says the Cleveland Clinic.
- Stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever has gone down (without medication).
- Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
- If you have chronic health issues, are pregnant, are 65+, or a young child, monitor conditions closely and seek urgent care if necessary.
When to Come to Urgent Care For Flu
If your symptoms worsen and you can’t retain fluids, you may consider getting rapid flu testing at urgent care in Michigan. There, a medical team can test you for flu, evaluate your complications, and provide early antiviral treatment when appropriate. Visit urgent care if you:
- Have fever, aches, and fatigue
- Are in a higher-risk group (young child, elderly, pregnant, chronic illness)
- Symptoms that worsen after initial improvement
- Cannot keep fluids down
- Are extremely weak or dizzy
- Have symptoms that don’t improve after a few days
When to Head to the Emergency Room
Some symptoms require immediate emergency attention.
In adults:
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Persistent chest or abdominal pain or pressure
- Sudden dizziness, confusion, inability to wake up
In children:
- Fast or troubled breathing, bluish skin or lips
- Not retaining fluids, very few wet diapers or tears when crying
- Fever with rash, severe muscle pain, seizures
For any of these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Why is Early Action Important?
It can be helpful to start antiviral medications within the first 48 hours of symptom onset – not only to shorten the illness but to reduce complications as well.
At Specialty Urgent Care we can:
- Perform rapid flu testing
- Evaluate for complications (pneumonia, etc.)
- Prescribe antivirals upon positive test
- Offer guidance and monitoring throughout recovery
Being informed throughout flu season is the best way to remain proactive. Early intervention makes a difference!
Contact Specialty Urgent Care
To get a rapid flu test without the wait, walk in today to ourDearborn or Pontiac locations, or call ahead for more information on wait times, insurance, or anything else.