You may think you’re just suffering from the common cold.  You have the normal symptoms of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fatigue… but what if it’s something worse than a regular cold?  Here are five ways to identify if your cold is something worth getting checked out for.

Your symptoms last more than a few days.

A regular cold can clear up after a few days with proper rest and hydration.  While your cough and nasal drip might linger around for a few days, most symptoms of a cold should disappear after three to four days.

You recently returned from a trip

So you just recently returned from your overseas travels, but you’re finding yourself using up your sick days trying to recover from your trip.  International travel can sometimes leave you with an infectious disease if you didn’t get vaccinated prior to your trip.

You have a high fever

A normal cold may give you a slight fever, but if you’re experiencing a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s best to seek medical attention to ensure that it is not something worse.  Upper respiratory illnesses left untreated can lead to further complications that require antibiotics.

You’re experiencing stomach pains

Vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea normally don’t accompany cold symptoms, so this could be an indication that you have the flu.

You’re experiencing pain while breathing

A cough is a normal symptom of a cold, but it shouldn’t cause trouble with breathing or chest pains.  This symptom could be a sign of bronchitis or pneumonia.

Upper Respiratory Treatment in Stamford, CT

At AFC Urgent Care Stamford, we understand that when you’re feeling under the weather, you want to get better as soon as possible!

Some of the upper respiratory illnesses we treat at our urgent care center include:

• The Flu
• Bronchitis
• Laryngitis
• Strep Throat
• & More

For more information about our treatments or other services we offer at our urgent care center, please call to speak with one of our medical professionals at 203-969-2000.