The drop in temperature and changes in the weather during the fall make it a prime time of the year to fall ill. With the scarlet beauty of the leaves in the trees and a chill in the air, autumn also marks the beginning of cold and flu season, along with a surge in other common seasonal illnesses. Here’s a health checklist to keep you in tip-top shape this fall. We’ll discuss some common illnesses you might encounter during the fall season and when to consider visiting a local urgent care clinic for diagnosis and treatment.
Fall Health Checklist: Common Seasonal Illnesses and When to Visit Urgent Care
#1 Colds and Flu
As summer recedes, the fall weather becomes colder, exposing you to contracting the common cold or flu viruses.
- Cold Symptoms can include runny nose, cough, sore throat, body aches, generalized fatigue, and raised body temperature.
- Flu Symptoms can hit hard with high fever, intense fatigue, and prolonged infection.
These two viral infections share various symptoms. However, the flu is much more severe to most people, especially those with weakened immune systems. Washing your hands frequently can help prevent the spread of infection.
When to Visit an Urgent Care Clinic
Most cold and flu cases can easily be treated at home with plenty of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications. You do, however, need to go in for diagnosis if:
- You are having difficulty breathing
- Experiencing chest pains
- High fever above 102°F
- Your symptoms worsen after a few days
Urgent care clinics offer rapid flu tests, prescription antiviral drugs, and medical treatment to alleviate symptoms. Some urgent care facilities offer the flu shot to help you stay healthy.
#2 Seasonal allergies
Along with the viral surge in the fall, it’s also the start of allergy season. Ragweed pollen allergies may start in autumn and continue through to the end of the season. You might experience contact with other common allergens in autumn, such as mold spores from wet leaves and dust mites.
- Seasonal Allergy Symptoms can include Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough.
When to Visit an Urgent Care Clinic
Mild to moderate allergy symptoms can be controlled with antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal sprays. However, if you have a serious allergy attack with these symptoms, stop by an urgent care clinic near you.
- You start wheezing
- Experience shortness of breath
- A rash appears
They’ll arrange medications, such as inhalers or corticosteroids, to manage your symptoms.
#3 Sinus infections
A sinus infection or sinusitis is an inflammation and blockage of the sinuses. It usually occurs due to exposure to cold viruses or seasonal allergens, manifesting with symptoms similar to a head cold. A sinus infection requires immediate treatment to prevent it from progressing into severe complications.
- Sinus Infection Symptoms can include nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, thick nasal discharge, and decreased sense of smell.
When to Visit an Urgent Care Clinic
If you have sinusitis symptoms for more than 10 days, visit an urgent care for diagnosis and treatment.
Be aware of an acceleration in symptoms in the first week. If you notice pain and swelling in your face and forehead, it’s a sign the infection is spreading. You need immediate medical attention.
Doctors may treat the infection with antibiotics where required.
#4 Strep Throat
Strep throat is a common bacterial infection in the fall and winter, especially among children. Unlike a regular sore throat, strep throat may develop suddenly, demanding treatment with antibiotics.
- Strep Throat symptoms can include sudden development of sore throat, difficulty swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, white patches on the throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Kindergartners often pick up the bacteria at playschool and bring it back to the home, where it spreads to the rest of the family.
When to Visit an Urgent Care Clinic
Go to an urgent care clinic if you experience:
- A sore throat combined with a fever
- The presence of a runny nose and white patches on the tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
Urgent care clinics offer rapid strep throat testing and diagnosis. The doctor will treat you with antibiotics – make sure you take the entire course.
#5 Bronchitis
This condition stems from inflammation of the bronchial tubes in your lungs. It usually occurs as a complication of a lung infection related to colds, flu, or another respiratory infection. The hallmark of bronchitis is a long-standing cough. Non-smokers may take a day or two to recover, but smokers may take weeks to return to health.
Symptoms of Bronchitis can consist of:
- Persistent cough
- Production of mucus
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
When to Visit an Urgent Care Clinic
If your cough lasts over three weeks, you’re coughing up blood, or you have trouble breathing, visit an urgent care clinic. Bronchitis can sometimes cause pneumonia, and evaluation and appropriate treatment are vital to a fast recovery.
Keep Healthy this Season With This Fall Health Checklist
As the weather changes and people spend more time indoors, keeping your body healthy is important. This fall health checklist can help you identify the common seasonal illnesses and when to visit an urgent care location near you. However, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and washing your hands frequently are key.
Urgent Care Omaha Walk-In Clinics and in Bellevue, NE
Our staff works to provide prompt, personal, and professional care for all of our patients. We strive to provide the attention patients need in as quick a time as possible. Urgent Care Clinics in Omaha & Bellevue, Nebraska has four locations in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our four walk-in clinics are:
