Common Colds, Cough and Flu Treatment Doctor Q&A

Several doctors are equipped to diagnose and treat colds and coughs, urgent care doctors, family doctors, and pediatricians are among some of the options for patients. Urgent care can be an excellent option for the treatment of colds and coughs, they typically offer more flexible hours than family clinics, accept walk-ins, and are less expensive than many alternatives. Whether or not to see a doctor will be determined by the extent of your symptoms.

Common colds rarely require a visit to the doctor, and unless there’s a complication, medications are not routinely prescribed for the virus that causes them. It is impossible to treat a virus with antibiotics. It’s usually enough to rest, hydrate, and take over-the-counter medications while staying at home.

The warmth of liquids can soothe a sore throat, prevent dehydration, and ease congestion, whether it’s tea, warm water with lemon, or broth. It is recommended that you avoid salty foods, alcohol, coffee, and sugary drinks, which can dehydrate you. If you have a sore throat, gargling saltwater with about one teaspoon of salt per cup of warm water can help reduce the pain and swelling. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce some cold symptoms when taken over-the-counter as decongestants, antihistamines, or pain relievers. You should not give over-the-counter medications to children younger than six years of age.

Some symptoms, however, should be addressed by a doctor or even in the emergency room. The sooner you act, the safer you can be, as well as prevent serious complications from your illness. In particular, people in high-risk groups, such as young children, pregnant women, adults 65 and older, and those with certain health conditions, are more likely to experience complications.

 It typically takes one to two weeks for the common cold symptoms to pass, and any treatment would focus on relieving some of the common symptoms such as stuffy noses and sore throats.

It is recommended that you see a doctor if you have a cold or flu that has lasted over seven days. A discussion of treatment options will be possible with him/her. Urgent care clinics and emergency rooms should be consulted if you are coughing up green or yellow mucus (or it is streaked with blood), feeling very weak, and having a fever over 101 degrees. Any further damage will be prevented by starting antibiotics.

Chest pain and breathing difficulty are common signs of pneumonia. Without antibiotics within two days, this can quickly become life-threatening. See your doctor if you have been suffering from a cough for more than 10 days without improvement.

Some circumstances, however, may require a visit to the doctor. You or your child should see your doctor if they have a fever over 100.4°F, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the case of a fever in a child under three months, you should contact your doctor right away.

You should also see a doctor if you or your child experience unusual or severe symptoms or if symptoms last longer than 10 days. A secondary infection, such as bronchitis, an ear infection, or pneumonia, may cause these symptoms. Symptoms of a cold may also interfere with your daily activities or sleep, so you may need to see your doctor.

Urgent care accepts patients for diagnosis and treatment of flu, colds, and coughs. With Fast Aid Urgent Care, you can find the nearest doctor with urgent care experience without visiting an emergency room. Fast Aid Urgent Care is open seven days a week, with extended weekday hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, and walk-ins are accepted. Contact Fast Aid Urgent Care today for quick relief of flu, cold, and cough symptoms. We serve patients from Bulverde Rd San Antonio TX, Windcrest TX, Selma TX, Bastrop TX, Paige TX, Smithville TX, Alamo Ranch San Antonio TX, Leon Valley TX, Helotes TX, La Grange TX, Rabbs Prairie TX, Halsted TX, Leon Springs TX, Fair Oaks Ranch TX, Cross Mountain TX, New Braunfels TX, Hunter TX, Zorn TX, Potranco Road San Antonio TX, Rio Medina TX, Rolling Oaks Estates TX, Dripping Springs, TX, Saddletree Ranch TX, and Belterra TX.