When to Go to Urgent Care for Cough & Colds?

However, while this is generally a good thing, it may also make it difficult to determine when it’s time to see a doctor for your abdominal pain. This is because your pain level does not always reflect the seriousness of the condition causing it. In this blog post, your trusted provider of Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches shares the basics of abdominal pain that you need to be aware of.

What are the symptoms of a cold?

Many major organs are situated in the abdomen: the small and large intestines, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix, spleen, and kidneys. Often, an inflammation or disease of any of these organs causes abdominal pain. 

When you come in for urgent care due to abdominal pain, one of the first things the medical team will try to find out is the type of pain you are experiencing. By finding this out, they may then determine the possible cause of the pain. This also gives them a starting point for tests and treatments. The most common types of abdominal pain can be described in the following ways: 

  • Generalized abdominal pain means that it affects most of your stomach area. This type of pain is more common for viral gastroenteritis, gas or indigestion. More severe generalized abdominal pain might be caused by a serious condition, such as a blockage of the intestines. 
  • Localized abdominal pain means that the pain is focused in one part of the stomach area. This type of abdominal pain can sometimes be a sign of a problem with an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach. 
  • Cramps can cause severe abdominal pain but most of the time they are not a serious problem. Cramps are often accompanied by diarrhea, gas and bloating. 
  • Colicky abdominal pain comes and goes in waves. This type of abdominal pain can start and end suddenly, and it can often feel sharp and severe. Often, this type of pain can be caused by kidney stones or gallstones. 
What-are-the-symptoms-of-a-cold

What are the possible complications of a cold?

A common cold should not be a cause for concern for a fairly healthy individual. It will typically go away on its own with plenty of rest and water intake. Patients can also take OTC medications and other home remedies to manage their symptoms. 

However, complications may arise for immunocompromised individuals and those with existing lung conditions (e.g., asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema). For these patients, a simple cold can cause moderate to severe symptoms, such as:

  • Exacerbated or a mucus-producing cough
  • High fever
  • Muscle pains
  • Ear pain
  • Sinus type headache

Catching a cold can also cause your existing lung condition to flare up or worsen. It may also lead to the development of other illnesses, such as strep throat, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, otitis media, and sinusitis.

When to seek an urgent care doctor?

A cold virus will manifest symptoms on the 2nd or third day of infection. It can last for up to seven days or more but will begin to wane down during that period. 

However, if symptoms still persist, worsen, or fail to improve, it’s time to seek medical help. Some of the specific signs to watch out for include the following:

  • A persistent fever of 101.3 or higher
  • A recurring fever
  • Wheezing
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Severe headache and sinus pain
  • Severe sore throat
  • Chest pain

For children, seek medical help if they experience a rising fever that lasts for days, headache, wheezing, throat pain, and shortness of breath. Appetite problems, unusual fussiness, and drowsiness should also warrant a visit to the nearest urgent care facility. 

Additionally, patients with a chronic or long-term illness should seek urgent care immediately at the first sign of a common cold. 

What should you do if you catch a cold?

There’s no definite cure to treat a cold. But there are various medications and remedies that can help relieve your symptoms. Some of the specific over-the-counter medications you can use include the following:

Cough medicine, decongestant, and antihistamine to alleviate cough and nasal congestion.

An expectorant for phlegmatic cough

Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to relieve fever, aches, and pains. However, patients with asthma and ulcer should not take these medications unless prescribed.

Nasal sprays for runny nose and sneezing

Throat lozenges or throat spray to relieve sore throat.

There are also other remedies and healthy ways to treat and manage the symptoms of a common cold:

  • Getting plenty of rest and sleep
  • Gargle with salt water
  • Increasing water intake and consuming warm fluids, such as hot teas, herbs, and soups.
  • Eating a healthy diet to maintain the strength of the immune system.
  • Avoid consuming cold drinks, sweets, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol as these can exacerbate your cough and phlegm.
  • Cut back or quit smoking.

Going to school or work won’t affect your recovery. However, going in public spaces increases the risk of infecting others and spreading the viral infection. So, it’s best to stay at home until your symptoms clear out. 

Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches - Providing Quality Medical Care for Everyone

Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches is one of the leading providers of urgent medical care in the Florida area. Our board-certified physicians offer high-quality services to address various medical problems一from acute respiratory problems to diagnostic procedures like influenza a&b test.

So if you’re looking for a facility to address your minor health concern, do COVID testing, or provide flu shot in Palm Beach County, then we can help. 

Contact us or visit one of our convenient locations near you: 

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

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