Symptoms lingering? Learn what steps to take if your cold or flu won’t go away and when to seek help at urgent care near you. Walk-ins welcome!

Whether you’re spending the day at Crooked Creek Park or enjoying the family-friendly activities around Indian Trail, cold or flu symptoms can sneak up unexpectedly. AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail offers convenient care to help you feel better fast.

Colds and the flu are usually temporary illnesses that clear up within a week or two. But what happens when your symptoms stick around longer than expected? If you’ve been dealing with a lingering cough, congestion, or other signs of illness, it’s important to know when it’s time to seek help and what steps you can take to feel better.

Visit AFC Indian Trail today.

How Long Do Colds and the Flu Typically Last?

Understanding the typical timeline for these illnesses can help you determine when your symptoms are dragging on too long.

• Cold Duration: Most colds start to improve within 7 to 10 days. The first few days are usually the worst, with symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat peaking by day three or four. You should start feeling better by the end of the first week.
• Flu Duration: The flu tends to be more intense and can last longer. While fever and body aches may subside within a few days, other symptoms like fatigue, cough, and congestion can linger for up to two weeks.

If your symptoms don’t seem to be improving, or they worsen after initially getting better, it may be a sign of complications.

Why Aren’t My Symptoms Going Away?

When cold or flu symptoms stick around longer than expected, it’s often due to one of these reasons:

• Secondary Infections: Sometimes, colds or the flu can lead to bacterial infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis, or even pneumonia. These infections may cause your symptoms to worsen or extend beyond the usual timeframe.
• Asthma or Allergies: If you have underlying conditions like asthma or seasonal allergies, a cold or flu can trigger prolonged symptoms like a cough or congestion. This can make it seem like your illness is lingering longer than usual.
• Weakened Immune System: If you have a weakened immune system due to age, chronic illness, or medication, it may take your body longer to fight off the virus.
• Reinfection: It’s possible to catch another virus while you’re recovering from a cold or flu, leading to overlapping symptoms and a longer illness.

Signs It’s Time to Visit Your Local Urgent Care

If your cold or flu symptoms won’t go away or if they’re getting worse, it’s important to visit your local urgent care clinic. Some key signs that it’s time to seek medical attention include:

• Persistent fever: If you’ve had a fever for more than three days, or if it comes back after initially going away, it could be a sign of a secondary infection.
• Difficulty breathing: Shortness of breath, wheezing, or a cough that doesn’t improve could indicate a more serious respiratory issue, like bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Severe sore throat: A sore throat that doesn’t improve after a few days could be a sign of strep throat or another bacterial infection.
• Sinus pain or pressure: If your nasal congestion is accompanied by severe pain or pressure in your face or around your eyes, you might have developed a sinus infection.
• Ongoing fatigue: If you still feel extremely tired weeks after your flu symptoms started, it could be a sign of post-viral fatigue or complications from the flu.

What to Expect at Your Visit to AFC Indian Trail

At AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail, our healthcare providers can evaluate your symptoms and run tests if needed. For persistent cold or flu symptoms, we may perform:

• A flu test to confirm whether the flu virus is still present.
• A strep test if you’re experiencing a severe sore throat.
• A chest X-ray to check for pneumonia or other lung conditions.
• Blood work in some cases to rule out underlying conditions.

If you have a bacterial infection like sinusitis or bronchitis, our providers may prescribe antibiotics. For viral infections, antiviral medications might be recommended to help shorten the duration of your illness.

How to Manage Lingering Symptoms at Home

If you’ve seen a doctor or visited our clinic and have ruled out any serious complications, there are still ways to manage lingering symptoms and speed up your recovery:

• Rest: Your body needs time to heal. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and avoid overexerting yourself while you’re recovering.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, tea, and broths, to stay hydrated and loosen congestion.
• Use a humidifier: Dry air can irritate your respiratory system. A humidifier can help relieve congestion and coughing.
• Soothe a sore throat: Warm saltwater gargles, throat lozenges, and honey in tea can help ease throat irritation.
• Over-the-counter medications: Cough suppressants, decongestants, and pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage symptoms while your body heals.

Don’t Let Lingering Symptoms Go Unchecked

If your cold or flu symptoms have stuck around for more than 10 days or you’re feeling worse instead of better, don’t hesitate to visit AFC Urgent Care Indian Trail. Our team can diagnose the underlying issue and help you get back on the road to recovery—no appointment needed.