Did you wake up with a sore throat? Suffering from mild symptoms, and curious to know whether they are going to worsen? The colder winter months are peak cold and flu season. The flu shares many of the same symptoms as less severe illnesses but can develop into a severe illness even for healthy adults. If you’re feeling sick, learn when to seek medical care for your symptoms and whether a sore throat could be an indication of the flu. Visit AFC Urgent Care Arvada for convenient medical care with short wait times in Arvada, CO.

Common Symptoms of The Flu

The flu is a viral infection that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. Flu symptoms tend to appear mild at first but can progress quickly and cause severe illness even for healthy adults. Symptoms typically start within the first few days of infection and last between 4 to 7 days. In some cases, symptoms such as a cough may linger for longer. A sore throat can be one of the early symptoms associated with flu cases.

Common flu symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Body aches
• Chills
• Congestion
• Cough
• Runny nose

Should You Seek Medical Care For a Sore Throat?

A sore throat can be an indication of a respiratory illness such as the flu. However, sore throats can occur for a variety of reasons. Sore throats can occur due to exposure to environmental irritants like dust and smoke in addition to exposure to allergens. Sore throats can also occur due to outdoor heating and cold air, both of which dry out the air and can irritate your throat.

Although sore throats can be mild and often go away on their own, there are cases where sore throats can indicate an illness that requires medical care. Strep throat and tonsillitis both cause a severe sore throat. If your sore throat causes you to have trouble swallowing or is causing a significant amount of pain, you should seek medical treatment. If your sore throat lasts longer than a week, you should visit your local urgent care for a medical diagnosis and treatment.

At-Home Sore Throat Remedies

If you’re experiencing a sore throat that is not severe and doesn’t require medical attention based on the above qualifications, there are a variety of at-home remedies to help manage the discomfort and reduce irritation. Sore throats typically resolve on their own over time, but they can cause discomfort. Use these tips to help manage your sore throat at home:

• Get plenty of rest
• Avoid raising your voice
• Stay hydrated
• Drink warm liquids
• Avoid crunchy foods
• Use a humidifier
• Use OTC throat spray

Get Same-Day Sore Throat Diagnosis & Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Arvada

Sore throats can indicate a variety of different conditions, including the flu. If you’re suffering from a sore throat, seeking medical care can help ensure you’re properly treating your symptoms. AFC Urgent Care Arvada offers walk-in sore throat diagnosis and treatment 7 days a week. Our clinic has extended business hours, making it fast and easy to get illness care when you need it. Simply walk into our clinic today.

At AFC Urgent Care Arvada, our top priority is helping you stay healthy. That’s why our dedicated medical staff is board-certified and trained to diagnose and treat a variety of common illnesses. Following an examination of your symptoms, your medical provider will conduct any necessary testing at our on-site laboratory to provide an accurate diagnosis for your symptoms. Our medical staff will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your diagnosis. If you’re suffering from illness symptoms such as a sore throat, AFC Urgent Care Arvada offers walk-in illness care for patients in Arvada, CO, and the surrounding communities. For additional information regarding our clinic, contact our clinic directly by calling (720) 502-0466.