Illnesses can sometimes appear out of nowhere. If you went to bed one night with no symptoms, and woke up feeling sick, you’re not alone. A very common illness that easily spreads from person to person is the common cold. Colds can cause a wide variety of different symptoms which can make them tricky to diagnose. Identifying your symptoms early can help you get the medical treatment that you need to ensure that you recover quickly. If you’re suffering from illness symptoms, visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for same-day illness diagnosis and treatment services available seven days a week with no appointment required.
How to Know Whether Your Symptoms Are From a Cold?
If you’re experiencing mild illness symptoms, you may be wondering whether you’re suffering from a cold or the early symptoms of a more severe illness. Colds are caused by viral infections, which are extremely contagious between people, making them very common during the winter virus season. Cold-causing viruses can spread through direct contact with an infected individual, but they can also spread via breathing in airborne droplets that are released by coughing and sneezing as well as indirect contact with surfaces like door handles.
Although it is not as common as other cold symptoms, colds can cause ear pain. This is caused by fluid building up in the inner part of your ear, which can put pressure on your ear drum and cause pain. If you’re suffering from ear pain, you may simply have a cold. However, it is important to monitor your symptoms because ear pain can also indicate the presence of an ear infection which requires medical treatment.
Other common cold symptoms include:
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
When to Seek Medical Care for Ear Pain
If you’re experiencing ear pain, it is vital that you monitor your symptoms. Ear pain can be caused by a mild illness, such as a cold. However, ear pain can also indicate an ear infection which likely will require medical diagnosis and treatment. Seeking medical care early while your symptoms are mild can help you avoid your illness from worsening.
- If you have a high fever (over 103 F)
- There is fluid draining from your ear
- Your pain has lasted more than 2 days
- Your pain is continuing to worsen over time
Same-Day Illness Diagnosis in Waltham, MA
If you’re suffering from ear pain, the best way to ensure that you recover quickly is to seek medical diagnosis. By seeking medical care while your symptoms are still mild, you can begin treatment before they worsen. Ear infections can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, both of which require different courses of treatment. Seeking medical care is the fastest way to determine the best course of treatment.
If you seek medical care for ear pain, your medical provider will evaluate your symptoms. This includes examining the inside of your ear, but also evaluating any other illness symptoms you may be experiencing. Your medical provider will ask whether you have a history of ear infections and when your symptoms started. Based on the evaluation, your medical provider may perform diagnostic testing to determine whether your infection is bacterial or viral so that they can provide the correct course of treatment.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Waltham for Walk-In Illness Diagnosis & Treatment Services
If you’re experiencing ear pain, it may be caused by a viral infection like the common cold. However, ear pain can also indicate the beginning of various more serious infections, including ear infections. To ensure that you can make a quick recovery and get symptom relief fast, you should always seek medical care for ear pain. At AFC Urgent Care Waltham, our walk-in clinic makes it fast and easy to seek medical care for ear pain. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you.
Our team of dedicated medical providers are board-certified and trained to diagnose and treat a variety of common illnesses based on your symptoms. Our clinic has a laboratory on-site which allows our team to perform diagnostic testing at the time of your visit if necessary. We accept most major medical insurance plans and offer affordable care for patients paying out-of-pocket for their medical care. Walk in today, or contact the clinic for additional information by calling (781) 894-6900.
