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Cold & Flu Treatment

Cold & Flu Treatment Clinic in Rockville MD

Cold or flu? Differentiating these two can be difficult because the symptoms are similar. In fact, our providers sometimes need to perform a series of tests to clearly identify whether you are battling a cold or the flu. Visit Physicians Now Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic for cold & flu treatment. Contact Us, walk in, or reserve your spot online! We are located at 15215 Shady Grove Road, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.

Walk-In Clinic & Urgent Care for Cold & Flu Near Me Rockville MD
Walk-In Clinic & Urgent Care for Cold & Flu Near Me Rockville MD

Table of Contents:

What are the symptoms of cold and flu?
How can we prevent colds and flu?
How do doctors diagnose colds and flu?
How do doctors treat colds and flu?

What are the symptoms of cold and flu?

A clear way to identify the difference between the two is by how long the symptoms last. While a cold is often over after just a few days, the flu can last several weeks.

Flu symptoms are usually much more intense as well, while cold symptoms tend to be milder.

Symptoms to watch out for include:

• Runny nose and congestion (more common in colds than in flu cases)
• Fever which indicates the flu
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Vomiting and diarrhea (usually present only in cases of swine flu)
• Fatigue

Colds very rarely change into anything more serious, so symptoms usually become milder after just a few days. The flu, however, can lead to bronchitis, pneumonia, and even sinus infections if not treated properly. The elderly are especially at risk for complications, but so are children and people with health issues such as asthma. If you suspect you might have the flu, rather than just a common cold, the best thing you can do is talk to a provider.

How can we prevent colds and flu?

There’s no vaccine against the common cold, but you can lower your risks of getting sick by washing your hands regularly during the cold season. The flu vaccine is not mandatory, but being vaccinated every year is a good way to lower your chances of getting sick. We offer the flu shot at our urgent care Rockville, MD office, so give us a call if you need to get vaccinated. The best time to do this is around August or September, so there’s time for your body to build immunity before the flu season starts.

How do doctors diagnose colds and flu?

Most providers diagnose a cold or the flu based on your symptoms. For example, the presence of a high fever usually indicates you have the flu, rather than just a cold. If there’s any doubt, your provider can request a “rapid influenza diagnostic test,” which is usually performed by swabbing the back of your nose. This type of test can help determine which viruses your body is carrying, so your provider can best determine how to treat you.

How do doctors treat colds and flu?

If you have been diagnosed with the flu, our provider might prescribe antiviral drugs. These prescription drugs help you get better faster and also make your symptoms more bearable as your body heals. Antiviral drugs can also help prevent complications of colds and flu and are an essential tool in preventing walking pneumonia symptoms.

However, providers recommend starting treatment as soon as possible after getting sick, so it’s important that you talk to a provider as soon as you notice the first symptoms. The longer you wait to start taking antiviral drugs, the slower the results and the higher the risk of complications.

To treat a common cold, your provider is likely to recommend just rest and drinking lots of fluids. You might also take over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines to help control sneezing and alleviate a stuffy nose or cough. Steam inhalation, where you sit with your head over a steaming bowl or bucket of water, can help relieve congestion and help you breathe better. There are no prescription drugs available to treat the common cold. Visit us now to learn more about the treatment options available. We serve patients from Rockville MD, Travilah MD, Lone Oak MD, Colesville Park MD, Redland MD, Darnestown MD, Anscroft MD, and Wheaton-Glenmont MD.