The cold and flu season is upon us once more, and we are gearing up for another season mixed with the flu, COVID-19 and other common illnesses like strep throat.

Feeling sick is never fun, so finding the most accurate treatment for your illness is crucial to feeling better faster! Unfortunately, many of the common illnesses share symptoms so it can be hard to tell on your own.

That’s where AFC Urgent Care Monroe Road comes into play! We can use a variety of rapid tests to help us determine what you are sick with and how to treat you best.

What Symptoms Indicate an Infection?

COVID-19, the flu and strep throat are all infections, but strep throat is caused by a bacteria while the flu and COVID-19 are both viral in nature. All three can be transmitted by interacting with sick individuals if they cough or sneeze on you, as well as touching an infected surface and then not washing your hands before touching your face.

Infections can cause you to feel sick all over and can produce a fever, body aches, a sore throat and a headache. This is why it is hard to diagnose yourself in the beginning stages of your illness. Come see us for a rapid test, and we can give you results in as little as 15 minutes.

Possible Diagnoses After a Rapid Test

• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Strep throat

How Can You Treat COVID-19, Strep Throat and the Flu?

Once we have your diagnosis, we can turn our attention to treating your condition. Unfortunately, COVID-19 and the flu do not have quick treatment options because they are viral infections, but there are some antiviral drugs on the market that can help you feel better a little bit faster.

Strep throat is a bit easier to treat because it is bacterial! A round of antibiotics can easily clear up a strep throat infection if the medication is taken in its entirety. In any case, laying low, drinking fluids and taking care of yourself while you wait to recover can help your body fight the infection.

Symptoms That Could Be COVID-19 or the Flu

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Runny nose
• Fever

Need help determining what is making you sick? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Monroe Road for a rapid test.