Cold, Cough, Sore Throat and Flu

Colds and flu share some similarities, like having a cough, sore throat, and general malaise. InFocus Urgent Care in Ewing Township, West Windsor, New Brunswick, and Edison, New Jersey, offers complete care for respiratory illnesses and treats your symptoms according to your diagnosis. To learn more about your treatment options for the common cold or flu, call the nearest office, book an appointment online, or walk in for medical care today. 

What is the common cold?

The common cold is a respiratory illness that is caused by a contagious virus and affects your breathing. If you come into contact with someone that has cold symptoms, you’re more likely to get a cold. Most of the time, you can get better with at-home treatments, like resting and taking over-the-counter medicines.

What is the flu? 

The flu comes from different strains of the influenza virus. Each year, you may need to get a flu shot to keep up with the current or recent strain of the virus. 

Flu symptoms are often more severe than the common cold, and they appear abruptly instead of gradually. With the flu, you’re also more likely to develop fever, the chills, and body aches. 

InFocus Urgent Care diagnoses and treats both the common cold and the flu. If your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, don’t hesitate to walk in for immediate care or make an appointment.

What are some common cold and flu symptoms?

Cold and flu symptoms have a lot of similarities. You might have a cold or the flu if you experience any of the following:

• Coughing
• A stuffy or runny nose
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Weakness or fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Chest pressure or discomfort
• Headaches
• Body aches

While cold symptoms may last only for a few days, flu symptoms often last longer. If left untreated, the flu can lead to serious health complications, like pneumonia or bronchitis.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to the cold and flu, so InFocus Urgent Care offers COVID-19 testing to determine the best course of treatment. 

What are my treatment options for cold and flu?

After determining whether you have the common cold, flu, or another respiratory illness, InFocus Urgent Care develops a personalized treatment plan to help improve your condition. In many cases, you may simply need home care and over-the-counter medicines. If those don’t help with your symptoms, you may require prescription:

• Analgesics
• Antihistamines
• Nasal corticosteroids
• Decongestants
• Cough suppressants

For more information about cold and flu and which treatments can help you overcome illness, call the nearest InFocus Urgent Care office or book an appointment online today. You can also walk in for treatment. 

What can cause a sore throat?

Several causes can contribute to a dry, sore, red, or tender throat. Sometimes a sore throat develops because you’re thirsty or you’ve strained your voice by screaming at a sports game or concert. In other cases, a sore throat indicates an illness. 

Sore throat might be associated with:

• Flu
• COVID-19
• Strep throat
• Mononucleosis (mono)
• Acid reflux
• Allergies
• Whooping cough
• The common cold

These conditions can all cause a sore, dry, scratchy throat from time to time. Streptococcus pyogenes, a bacterial infection, is a common cause of a sore throat that may require medical treatment to help you recover properly. 

Should I visit my doctor because of a sore throat?

Not all sore throats require a doctor’s appointment. You may be able to resolve bothersome symptoms with rest and fluids. However, book a visit to InFocus Urgent Care for a sore throat that accompanies other symptoms, such as:

• Fever
• Rash
• Trouble breathing 
• Difficulty swallowing
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Swollen tonsils
• Swollen lymph nodes
• White patches on your throat

These symptoms could indicate strep throat or another illness that requires medical intervention. If your sore throat lasts longer than a week or is severe, see the InFocus Urgent Care specialists for an evaluation.

How does my provider diagnose the cause of a sore throat?

InFocus Urgent Care offers on-site rapid antigen testing to determine if you have strep throat. Your provider performs a physical examination and reviews your symptoms and medical history, before taking a swab of your throat if needed. 

They test the throat swab for the flu or bacteria that causes strep throat. If the test is positive, your urgent care specialist determines the most appropriate course of treatment.

How are sore throats treated?

If you have a sore throat because of a viral infection, rest, fluids, and symptom management are your best options. The infection should go away within about a week. InFocus Urgent Care might recommend over-the-counter medicines to ease some of your symptoms. 

If you have strep throat, the most common treatment is usually prescription medications (antibiotics). It’s important to take the antibiotics exactly as directed by your InFocus Urgent Care provider. You should feel better within a few days. Antibiotics also help prevent you from spreading strep throat to other people.

If you have a painful or persistent sore throat, call the nearest InFocus Urgent Care office or book an appointment online today. You can also walk in for sore throat treatment.