Cold & Flu

Cold, flu, and other upper respiratory infections can make you feel miserable for days on end with congestion, coughing, and fatigue. Brandon O’Connor, MD, and the team at O’Connor Medical Urgent Care in Port Jervis, New York, provide cold and flu remedies and can help you contain the illnesses before they spread to other people. Call the office, schedule an appointment online, or walk in for cold and flu urgent care today.

What are cold and flu symptoms?

The common cold and the flu are two different upper respiratory infections that share very similar symptoms. The team at O’Connor Medical Urgent Care provides an examination and possible lab tests to identify the upper respiratory infection affecting you so they can provide the appropriate treatment. 

Common cold and flu symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• A hoarse voice
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue

Upper respiratory infections can last for a week or longer, with symptoms peaking around days 4-7. 

What’s the difference between a cold and the flu?

The common cold and the flu may share similar symptoms, but there are some key differences that help the team at O’Connor Medical Urgent Care distinguish one from the other. Both are common during late fall through early spring, which is when contagious illnesses pick up because everyone spends more time indoors. 

One key distinction is that the flu tends to come with a fever and chills, while a cold does not. The cold can sometimes involve a fever, but this is more common in babies and small children than adults. 

Additionally, the common cold causes gradual symptoms, while flu symptoms are more severe and abrupt. The flu is also more likely to cause complications like pneumonia and ear infections. 

How are upper respiratory issues like cold and flu treated?

You must let the common cold run its course, as there is no treatment that cures it. However, there are plenty of home remedies and medications you can take to alleviate symptoms. The team at O’Connor Medical Urgent Care makes personalized recommendations to help you contain a cold and minimize its duration. 

Rest and plenty of fluids are standard recommendations for cold and flu. Some antiviral medications can treat certain strains of the flu and shorten your illness. The team also suggests staying home for a while so you don’t spread your upper respiratory infection to other people. 

Every year, you and your family members can get the annual flu vaccine to immunize yourselves against active strains. While you might still get sick, your symptoms and complication risks will be far lower. 

Call O’Connor Medical Urgent Care, schedule an appointment online, or walk in for on-demand care as soon as you notice cold and flu symptoms.