Key Takeaways
- Urgent cares are seeing upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, pneumonia and bronchitis, stomach bugs, and bee stings in the fall.
- For most viral infections, rest and hydration help your body heal better. Use over-the-counter medications and other home remedies to relieve symptoms.
- Viral infections can’t be treated using antibiotics; these are used for bacterial infections.
Whether you want virtual urgent care on demand, an urgent care location, or a primary care provider, we are here for you. Easily schedule appointments or find walk-in care when and where needed.
The fall months are settling in, bringing pumpkins, sweaters, and crisp autumn air out for everyone to enjoy together.
For some of us, fall brings new sicknesses or infections that need to be treated at an urgent care location.
Parker Remelt, PA-C, is a lead physician assistant at Rochester Regional Health Urgent Care locations and explains how to treat the illnesses and injuries that tend to develop the most during October and November – especially in the Rochester and Finger Lakes regions.
Common illnesses and injuries during the fall
Colds and upper respiratory viruses
As temperatures begin to drop and children are spending more time together in school, colds and upper respiratory infections are more common.
People will visit urgent cares if they have:
- runny/stuffy nose
- cough
- low-grade fever
- fatigue
- sore throat
- body aches
Most of these illnesses tend to be viral, so taking antibiotics would not relieve any of the symptoms. Managing symptoms at home is the best way to take care of colds and upper respiratory viruses.
The two best things you can do for yourself: get plenty of rest and drink fluids. Use saline spray and steam to relieve nasal congestion, have a teaspoon of honey for a sore throat, and take acetaminophen for pain relief.
Sinus infections
Sinus infections typically start as a cold or upper respiratory infection that moves into your sinuses. You can tell a sinus infection is starting because of the facial pressure and cold symptoms that last longer than one week.
Like colds and most upper respiratory infections, nearly all sinus infections are viral and cannot be treated with antibiotics.
“Bacterial infections of the sinuses are extremely rare and typically only occur with 10 days of worsening symptoms or more,” Remelt said.
Urgent care providers encourage patients to manage symptoms at home like they would most other viruses – making rest and hydration a priority, and treating symptoms as needed.
Pneumonia and bronchitis
Did you know that pneumonia and bronchitis don’t develop on their own? Both of these illnesses stem from other viruses or infections that become more advanced.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is most commonly recognized by a cough that keeps getting worse.
Bronchitis is inflammation of the airway that leads to the lungs, which usually leads to wheezing and a chest cough that takes your breath away.
Symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia are similar and include:
- sore throat
- fatigue
- headache
- stuffy nose
- chills
- fever
If symptoms for either pneumonia or bronchitis last longer than 7-10 days or you develop a fever that is higher than 101°F for 48 hours or more, visit an urgent care provider.
Pneumonia is typically treated using over-the-counter medications and managing symptoms at home. Urgent care providers may prescribe antibiotics for the infection or steroids to help reduce inflammation in your airways.
Since bronchitis is related to inflammation, rest is the best way to heal your body. Using steam and a humidifier, having hot drinks, and using appropriate medications for pain relief can help as well.
Stomach bugs
Getting sick with any sort of virus or infection is tough, but anything involving your GI tract can be especially challenging.
These stomach bugs are usually viral, stemming from rotavirus or norovirus. Patients will have symptoms like:
- nausea/vomiting
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- fever under 100.4°
- stomach cramps
- mild body aches
The best way to treat these symptoms is to stay home, rest, and hydrate to replenish the fluids lost. Stick to a bland diet until GI symptoms start to fade.
It’s time to visit urgent care if you have:
- a fever over 102°F
- an inability to keep liquids down for 24 hours
- symptoms that don’t improve after 3 days
- dehydration
Bee stings
Most people don’t experience severe reactions to bee stings. That doesn’t make them any less challenging to deal with.
“Wasps and other bees become more aggressive in the colder weather,” Remelt said.
If you are concerned about a sting or multiple stings, check to see if the bee’s stinger is still in your skin. Scrape it off using a credit card, then wash and ice the affected area before adding an anti-itching cream.
Fewer than 1 percent of people are seriously allergic and may experience life-threatening symptoms called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis typically happens within seconds to minutes, and may lead to difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness, hives or itching, or throat or tongue swelling.
If any of these symptoms start to happen, head to your nearest emergency room or medical provider as soon as possible.
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Whether you want virtual urgent care on demand, an urgent care location, or a primary care provider, we are here for you. Easily schedule appointments or find walk-in care when and where needed.
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