You break out into a sweat: is it the flu or COVID-19?

The truth is that both illnesses, the flu (caused by the influenza virus) and COVID-19 (caused by the coronavirus), are infectious respiratory illnesses. Symptoms may be similar, but different viruses cause these particular illnesses.

Similar symptoms include fever, cough, bodily aches and fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Both conditions cause symptoms that range from mild to severe and can lead to pneumonia. In a small percentage of instances, either one of these conditions can lead to death.

Say it, Don’t Spray It!

Now, where it gets tricky is when we talk about transmission. Both viruses are spread from person to person via droplets or spittle when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or merely is talking, with the droplets landing on the mouth or in the nose of a person within close proximity.

COVID-19 Airborne?

Some research suggests that the difference between these viruses is that COVID-19 may be spread via an airborne route. This means that the droplets are smaller and can travel farther distances, lingering longer in the air than droplets expelled by a person infected with the influenza virus. It’s important to note that the jury is still out on whether or not the coronavirus is spread via airborne routes.

However, what both viruses have in common is that they can be spread unwittingly from person to person several days before symptoms appear.

Bacterial Versus Viral Infections 

Infections caused by viruses are treated differently than those caused by bacterial infections. Quite simply, antibiotics are ineffective for treating conditions caused by viruses, like the flu or COVID-19.

Prevention is Key

For COVID-19 sufferers, symptoms can be addressed to provide some comfort, but that’s the only real relief available. What’s critical is preventing the spread of the virus through handwashing, social distancing, and wearing a face-covering when in public.

If you feel that you have COVID-19 or the flu, click here to make an appointment for a telemedicine appointment. All suspected COVID-19 cases will be directed to a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site.

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Steps on how to wash your hands

First, wet your hands under running water and apply soap. Then scrub your hands together for about 20 seconds; nearly as much time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. Don’t forget to scrub between your fingers and under your fingernails. Germs like to hide in those areas! After 20 seconds, rinse your hands thoroughly and dry using a clean towel.

The when of Handwashing 

Knowing when to wash your hands is equally as important as knowing how. Wash your hands before eating or preparing food and after using the restroom, handling pets, caring for ill people and sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose. While this list isn’t all-inclusive, this should give you a good idea of critical times to wash your hands.

Soap and water over hand sanitizer 

If you think “Handwashing takes too long. I’ll just use hand sanitizer,” it is essential to remember that sanitizer does not kill all types of germs. If sanitizer is your only option, make sure that it has at least 60% alcohol. This is easy to check by looking at the label on the back of the sanitizer. Rub your hands together until all of the sanitizers have dried, which should take about 20 seconds.

By keeping these few things in mind, you’ll be on your way to preventing the spread of the Coronavirus and other germs! If you do find yourself showing symptoms, and need a provider’s care, set up a Telemedicine appointment to be seen from home.

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Rest assured, we have taken all precautions to ensure that our clinics are germ-free; however, we are taking additional steps to safeguard your health and safety. We will do whatever it takes to offer our community healthcare options.

We offer three options for you to be seen by our healthcare providers. Choose the option most comfortable and fitting for you:

1. Visit with traditional in-lobby check-in while maintain 6 feet of social distance (for those patients not experiencing flu-like symptoms)

2. Visit with a check-in from your car. Call us when you arrive for an appointment. A staff member will come out to your car to get your information, and bring it back to you once the check-in is complete. You can wait in your car until the provider is ready to see you (for patients experiencing flu-like symptoms and for those who choose to wait in their car).

3. Telemedicine Visit in the comfort of your home with drive by testing if needed or available. Click here to make an appointment now.

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Flu season starts in October and runs through to the end of March; however, you can still catch the flu in the off-months. Because of this, it’s a good idea to take year-round measures to ensure optimal healthfulness, like thorough hand washing; proper sleep; nutritious meals; and a consistent exercise regimen.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot. It takes about two weeks for your body to develop an immune response to the vaccine, making October is the best time to get vaccinated. Even if you’re not vaccinated prior to peak flu season, it’s still important to get a shot; particularly if you’re surrounded by sick individuals.

There’s a misconception that a flu shot can make you sick. Flu shots are comprised of an inactive virus, meaning that the virus present in the flu shot cannot infect you. However, it does take 2 weeks for the flu shot to offer protection, so it’s possible to contract the flu within this span of time. Moreover, it’s possible to catch a strain of the flu virus that’s not covered by the shot. The shot is a great defense against catching the flu, but it’s not perfect.

Side effects from getting a flu shot are minimal, and include headaches, nausea, fever, and soreness at the injection site. If you have an allergic reaction, your symptoms include hoarseness, difficulty breathing and swelling of the lips and eyes. In this type of situation, you should seek urgent care immediately.

There are tried-and-true steps you can take to remain healthy during flu season. Of course, getting a flu shot should be your go-to defense against developing the flu, but a comprehensive approach is best:

• Choose a flu shot option that fits your situation, like a “typical” flu vaccine; Flu Mist, which is a nasal spray; an egg-free flu vaccine if you have an egg allergy; or Fluzone, which is a high-dose version for individuals who are 65 years old or older.

• Wash your hands often throughout the day with warm soapy water.Refrain from touching your eyes, mouth or nose without first washing your hands.

• Do not share cups or utensils.

• Make healthy Lifestyle Choices by eating a balanced diet, getting quality sleep, and exercising regularly.

Stay healthy this flu season and be proactive in your approach to staving off the influenza virus, not only during its most active months, but year-round. Click here to find your closest Quick Care Med location.

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The Influenza virus, otherwise known as the flu, is highly contagious and infects the nose, throat and lungs of its sufferers. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can last for up to two (incredibly) painful weeks. You can be infectious the day before you exhibit symptoms, up to 7 days after your symptoms appear. Children and those with compromised immune systems can remain contagious for an even longer period of time. Obviously, quarantining to avoid spreading the flu virus can be tricky business.

Symptoms

The flu presents itself in a number of different ways, and comes on abruptly; unlike cold symptoms, which appear gradually (2 to 3 days) and slowly go away. Surprisingly, vomiting and diarrhea is not a typical flu symptom, and mostly affects children and only 10% of flu sufferers. If your primary symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea, then you’re probably battling gastroenteritis or a stomach virus, not the flu. Common flu symptoms include:

• Intense fatigue that’s marked by extreme weakness

• Body aches / chills and fever

• Chest discomfort / cough – dry or with phlegm

• Sore throat

• Runny nose or congestion

• Headache

• Vomiting and diarrhea

  Treatment

Antibiotics are for infections caused by bacteria, so they’re ineffective for the treatment of viruses, like the flu. You can request an antiviral from your provider if you have a chronic condition or suppressed immunity. These drugs work best if you take them within 48 hours of exhibiting symptoms. Although general, the following treatments can help ease your symptoms:

• Rest

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Treat aches and pains with over-the-counter pain reliever

• Take a cough suppressant or throat lozenge

• Sit in a steam bath / use a humidifier to ease congestion

• Use saline nasal spray to open nasal passages

When to Seek Urgent Care

Most likely, you will get over the flu without having to see a provider; however, there are instances where it’s in your best interest to seek urgent care:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Chest pain or abdominal pain

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• Flu-like symptoms that appear to get better, but then return with a fever and worse cough

• Swelling in the mouth or throat

Quick Care Med has 10 locations, across 4 counties in central Florida. We’re open extended hours and weekends to serve you. Consider us your affordable and time-saving alternative to the ER. Click here to find the closest location to you.

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When you are feeling terrible, your first thought is usually “How do I get better?” Whether what you’re feeling is a common cold, or the flu, seems like a formality. However, it could be an important distinction, especially if you are one of the millions of Americans at risk for complications.

Both the common cold and the flu are viral infections that can spread quickly, especially through close contact. Because both are viral, antibiotics will not be effective and will not be prescribed. However, a Quick Care Med provider may be able to help you by treating the symptoms, and by ensuring there is nothing more serious going on.

Common Cold Symptoms

A cold can make you feel miserable. The good news is that should only last a few days to a week. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you probably have a cold:
• The initial symptom for most people is a sore throat. This usually only lasts for the first day or two
• A stuffy, runny nose usually follows, along with nasal congestion
• Mild body aches and/or fatigue are common
• Adults will rarely have a fever. A low-grade fever may be present in children
• A cough may develop 3 to 5 days into the cold

You do not need to see a medical professional for a cold unless it persists for more than a week. At that point, if symptoms are not improving, or are getting worse, you may have developed a bacterial infection, and you should seek medical attention.

Symptoms of the Flu

The flu is a more serious viral infection that can progress to other illnesses, like pneumonia, especially if you are in one of the at-risk categories – the very young, the very old, and anyone who has a weakened immune system. The flu should be closely monitored in at-risk patients, or anyone who is getting worse over time. Symptoms of the flu include:
• The illness comes on suddenly
• Moderate to severe body aches and fatigue
• Fever, especially above 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Exhaustion, especially during the first few days
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Diarrhea and vomiting (mainly in children)

If you visit a Quick Care Med provider within the first two days of the beginning of flu symptoms, the provider may be able to prescribe antiviral medication, which has been shown to have an impact on the severity of symptoms, and can also shorten the number of days you are sick with the flu. Those most at risk for complications should begin the antivirals whether or not they are within the two-day symptom period.
If you start to experience shortness of breath, or if your fever returns after being gone for a few days, see a provider right away as this could point to pneumonia.

Home Care for Cold and Flu

The following home care might help to relieve symptoms during your recovery:
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, like Acetaminophen, or Ibuprofen, for body aches and pains
• Gargle with warm salt water to relieve sore throat or earaches
• Drink lots of fluids, and REST
• Use a nasal rinse or saline drops
• Use a mentholated topical ointment to help with breathing
• Employ a vaporizer or humidifier
• Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines are not recommended for young children, but can be used to manage the symptoms of adults

Your Quick Care Med providers can perform tests to determine which treatments need to be administered, and how to get you back on your feet in no time!

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