When you catch a cold, it’s often manageable with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications. But some cold symptoms can make you wonder if you need a bit more help, especially when congestion, cough, or sore throat lingers longer than expected. Fortunately, urgent care centers like NovaHealth Urgent Care are designed to provide fast, convenient care for many non-emergency health concerns, including cold symptoms.
When Should You Visit Urgent Care for Cold Symptoms?
Common cold symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, mild cough, and fatigue can often be managed at home. However, urgent care can be a great option if your symptoms start to intensify or interfere with daily activities. You may want to visit urgent care if:
- Your fever remains high: While a low-grade fever is common with colds, a temperature above 100.4°F could indicate a more severe infection.
- Symptoms last longer than ten days: A cold typically clears up within a week. Persistent symptoms might suggest sinus infections or other complications.
- You experience severe sore throat or difficulty swallowing: This could be a sign of strep throat, which requires antibiotics.
- You have shortness of breath or chest pain: While rare, these symptoms can signal complications such as pneumonia.
How Urgent Care Can Address Cold Symptoms
Urgent care facilities are well-equipped to evaluate and treat persistent or troubling cold symptoms. Providers at NovaHealth Urgent Care can perform quick diagnostic tests for strep throat, flu, or COVID-19 to determine if there’s an underlying infection. They can also provide treatments like:
- Symptom relief: You may receive medication to reduce fever, alleviate nasal congestion, or ease your cough.
- Antibiotics for secondary infections: While antibiotics don’t treat viral infections, they’re sometimes necessary for bacterial infections like sinusitis or strep throat.
- Recommendations for at-home care: Urgent care providers often share specific at-home care tips to support faster recovery, like staying hydrated, using humidifiers, or trying specific over-the-counter products.
Benefits of Visiting Urgent Care for Cold Symptoms
Opting for urgent care when cold symptoms worsen offers benefits like reduced wait times, quick access to testing, and a more affordable alternative to the ER. NovaHealth Urgent Care is open during evenings and weekends, making it a convenient choice when symptoms flare up outside regular doctor hours.
When the common cold becomes a more persistent issue, visiting urgent care can save time and provide peace of mind. Next time your cold symptoms take a turn, NovaHealth Urgent Care is here to help you feel better and recover faster.
This post was written by a professional at NovaHealth Urgent Care of Southfield. At NovaHealth Urgent Care of Southfield, our mission is to make patients feel valued and well cared for. We provide convenient, quality, and care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Our certified providers offer best-in-class urgent care near farmington hills mi in clean, modern facilities. Located at W 10 Mile Rd. & Beech Rd., we are open 365 days a year: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, and weekends, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. NovaHealth proudly serves Southfield City, Southfield, Farmington Hills, Franklin, Beverly Hills, Farmington, Detroit, and more. Whether you need treatment for a minor injury, illness, or routine health service, we are here to help. Connect with us today!
