No one wants to get sick, but it can be especially frustrating if you start to experience symptoms that are common across many illnesses. Is it COVID-19, strep throat, the flu or just a simple cold?

A runny nose or a fever is probably not enough to diagnose yourself on your own, which is where we come in!

Our AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN team can evaluate your symptoms and offer a more reliable and accurate diagnosis. Check out our latest blog to learn more.

What Symptoms do COVID-19, the Flu and Strep Throat Share?

All three illnesses are infections, with the flu and COVID-19 being viral and strep throat being bacterial. These infections can be contracted by getting coughed or sneezed on by an infected person or by touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth or nose.

Once you are exposed, you can start to experience symptoms in just a few days. A fever, sore throat, body aches and a headache are all common for all three illnesses. A rapid test at our center can help diagnose you accurately right away! A simple swab can be run through our lab and give you results in as little as 15 minutes.

Illnesses Detected by Our Rapid Tests

• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Strep throat

Can I Diagnose Myself at Home?

You can try, but we don’t recommend it. Strep throat should be treated properly to help you find relief and avoid a worsening infection, so come see us if you are having pain while swallowing, see white patches on the back of your throat or have swollen tonsils.

COVID-19 and the flu are a bit more similar to each other, which is why it is so important to come get tested! Your employer or your child’s school will most likely have different quarantining or isolation requirements that you need to follow if you do have COVID-19, so come see us to get tested right away.

Symptoms That Both Influenza and COVID-19 Can Produce

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Runny nose
• Fever

Need help determining what is making you sick? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Athens, TN for a rapid test.