Winter is here, and while it brings cozy sweaters, holiday memories, and hot cocoa, it also brings an increase in seasonal illnesses. Colds, strep throat, bronchitis, sinus infections, and even walking pneumonia are common during this time of year, making it essential to recognize the symptoms and know how to manage them.
At Piedmont HealthCare Urgent Care & Express Care, we’re here to help you navigate these seasonal challenges and get back to feeling your best. Here’s what you need to know about identifying and managing some of the most common winter illnesses.
Strep Throat
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Severe sore throat that comes on quickly
- Difficulty swallowing
- Red or swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches
- Fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics for treatment. If left untreated, it can lead to complications.
How Urgent Care Can Help:
A quick strep test at our clinic can confirm the diagnosis, and we’ll provide the right antibiotics to help you recover quickly.
Bronchitis
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Persistent cough, often producing mucus
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Fatigue and shortness of breath
- Mild fever
Acute bronchitis is often caused by a viral infection and typically resolves within a few weeks, but symptoms can linger or worsen, especially if a bacterial infection develops.
How Urgent Care Can Help:
Our providers can evaluate your symptoms, offer treatments to relieve your cough and discomfort, and prescribe medication if necessary. We can also rule out more serious conditions like pneumonia.
Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Congestion and nasal discharge
- Facial pressure or pain around the eyes, nose, and forehead
- Headache, especially when bending forward
- Fever, fatigue, and bad breath
Sinus infections can result from viral or bacterial infections, and symptoms lasting more than 10 days may require medical intervention.
How Urgent Care Can Help:
We can assess your symptoms and determine if antibiotics are needed for a bacterial infection or if supportive care will help your body heal.
Walking Pneumonia
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Persistent dry cough or mild chest pain
- Fatigue or feeling run down
- Low-grade fever, chills, and headache
- Sore throat or mild ear pain
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing (in some cases)
Walking pneumonia, a milder form of pneumonia, is caused by a bacterial or viral infection and can often feel like a bad cold or flu. While symptoms are typically less severe than traditional pneumonia, untreated walking pneumonia can worsen or lead to complications.
How Urgent Care Can Help:
Our team can perform a thorough evaluation, including a physical exam and imaging if necessary, to diagnose walking pneumonia. We’ll provide the appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics or symptom relief, to help you recover quickly and safely.
Tips for Managing Seasonal Illnesses at Home
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help thin mucus and prevent dehydration.
- Rest: Give your body time to heal by getting enough sleep.
- Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air can relieve congestion and soothe irritated sinuses.
- Take Over-the-Counter Medications: Pain relievers, decongestants, and cough suppressants can ease symptoms.
Why Choose Piedmont HealthCare Urgent Care?
- No Appointments Necessary: Walk in anytime during operating hours.
- Affordable Billing: Patients are billed at a primary care co-pay rate.
- Online Check-In for Convenience: Save your spot in line with our online check-in system (available only at Statesville Urgent Care).
- Fast, Compassionate Care: Receive the care you need, when you need it most.
This winter, don’t let seasonal illnesses keep you down. Recognize the symptoms early, manage your health, and trust Piedmont HealthCare Urgent Care to get you back on track.
Feel better, faster. Check in online or stop by today!
The post Your Guide to Managing Seasonal Illnesses with PHC Urgent Care appeared first on Piedmont HealthCare.
