One doesn’t have to be at an advanced urgent care center to know that flu season is in full swing, and it’s worse this year than most. This year’s flu has been particularly vicious, with thousands of lives believed lost due to it. In particular, this year’s flu is affecting children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Even more than usual, it’s vital to know the signs of the flu in yourself and loved ones – and to know when to take them to an advanced urgent care clinic for treatment.
Five Flu Signs and Their Severity
1 – High Temperature
Running a fever is one of the most common and universal signs of the flu. Temperatures between 100-102°F (37.78-38.88°C) are most generally seen. Remember: body temperatures above 100°F in toddlers or above 103°F in adults means it’s time to visit an urgent care clinic or another medical facility.
2 – Chills and Sweats
This goes hand-in-hand with fevers but is important to watch out for. A flu patient may spend a lot of time flipping between feeling too hot and too cold, without finding a comfortable balance.
3 – Dehydration
When someone has the flu, their body is going to be expelling a lot of additional fluids. Those need to be replaced! Otherwise, a flu patient becoming dehydrated can make a bad situation much worse. This is why you need to drink plenty of liquids whenever you have the flu: dehydration can usually be avoided just by keeping a bottle of water nearby.
4 – Body Aches and Fatigue
A flu patient frequently doesn’t want to get out of bed or otherwise do more activity than normal. Their joints and muscles may be genuinely painful, or they may simply lack the energy to do much. This situation won’t change until the flu has run its course.
5 – Digestive Issues
While not universal, many strains of flu also bring about vomiting and diarrhea. If these symptoms are mild, it’s merely inconvenient and can be countered with over-the-counter medicines. However, should they become consistent or uncontrollable, it’s a very serious issue and can bring about life-threatening dehydration. Consistent vomiting/diarrhea is a sign that the patient needs medical care ASAP, and one of the main ways the flu can kill.
Advanced Urgent Care of Pasadena is here for you! We don’t require an appointment; just visit if you need us.
Disclaimer:
Please note that our Urgent Care Facilities might not be able to treat all conditions similar to those described here and these patients are referred to a local emergency room if a high-level of care is required.
