When you come down with what you suspect is influenza, it can be difficult to figure out what to do next. In order to get the rest you need, you may need to get a doctor’s excuse for work or for school. You might be wondering if you can take antivirals to help feel better more quickly. And in some cases, you may even be wondering if you need to go to the emergency room. This article walks through symptoms of the flu, when to visit the emergency room, and when to visit urgent care.

What Are the Symptoms of the Flu?

The typical symptoms of influenza include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headaches and fatigue. If you are experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, and you are an adult, it is more likely that you have another viral infection, likely norovirus, instead of influenza.

Should I Go to The Emergency Room for the Flu?

In most cases – no, you do not need to go to the emergency room for influenza. If you are part of a high-risk group that is susceptible to the more severe symptoms of influenza – like infants, the elderly, pregnant women, or someone with a medical condition that impacts your ability to fight infections – you may want to visit the emergency room if your doctor’s office is unavailable to see you when the influenza symptoms strike.

You should also visit the emergency room if you develop extreme symptoms such as respiratory distress, chest pain, sudden dizziness, or confusion.

Should I Visit an Urgent Care Center for the Flu?

If you are not in a high-risk group and only have mild to moderate flu symptoms, you can visit an urgent care center for treatment. Visiting an urgent care center allows you to be seen more quickly and have your medical needs met while still leaving the emergency room available for life-threatening emergencies.

How Will an Urgent Care Center Handle the Flu?

Urgent Care Centers are staffed by medical professionals who can diagnose your flu with a blood test and prescribe antivirals if you are eligible for them. Influenza antivirals must be prescribed quickly after symptoms appear, otherwise they are not effective.

Walk-In Flu Shots & Flu Treatment in Braintree, MA

Your urgent care doctor may also be able to prescribe additional medications to help ease some of your symptoms as a result of the flu. Visit AFC Urgent Care Braintree for high-quality, quick, and affordable medical care for your flu symptoms or for your flu vaccine. Most major insurances are accepted, and walk-in patients are welcome seven days a week. For questions, please call 781-848-2273.