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Flu-like symptoms evaluation

When many symptoms are the same, how do you know if you have a cold, COVID-19 or the flu? Getting tested at a MinuteClinic® can help you manage your treatment early if your aching muscles, chills and sweats, dry cough, fever and more are flu-related or something else.

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Vaccinations (including COVID-19)

Protect yourself and your family from flu, COVID-19 and more.

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Have questions about flu testing and getting treated for flu-like symptoms? Here’s how to get started.

What are flu-like symptoms?

Influenza (flu) and colds have many symptoms in common. In the beginning, the flu can feel like the beginning of a cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. However, colds usually develop slowly, while the flu comes on rapidly. While a cold can be a nuisance, the flu can be much more uncomfortable.

If you think you’ve caught the flu, it helps to manage it early. Treatment options are most effective early.

Getting help

MinuteClinic providers are trained to discuss and assess your flu-like symptoms. Your provider can help determine whether your illness is more likely to be the flu, a common cold or COVID-19. Your provider can also prepare a personalized treatment plan.

1. Prior to scheduling your appointment, you may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:



If you made your appointment online:

Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.



If you made your appointment in the clinic:

Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.

4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.

5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Flu-like symptoms and testing

You can get a flu test from your primary care provider, walk-in clinics and certain pharmacies. MinuteClinic can also provide rapid flu tests and recommend a course of action based on the results. Typically, the health care provider will also take time to assess your symptoms and any current flu outbreaks in your area. 

After a COVID-19 infection, some people may experience flu-like symptoms that last weeks to months. This is sometimes called long COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome. If you’ve had COVID-19 and have new or ongoing symptoms weeks to months after your initial recovery, a MinuteClinic® provider can help.

 

Generally, the flu gets better on its own. But sometimes, flu complications can be life-threatening. Those at higher risk include:

  • Children under 5 years old, particularly infants under 2 years
  • Adults 65 years and older
  • Patients with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart, kidney and liver disease
  • People with compromised immune systems
  • Residents of nursing homes and care facilities
  • Women who are pregnant or women who are up to 2 weeks postpartum

 

For most adults, the flu lasts about 5 to 7 days. However, symptoms can persist for up to two weeks. After your symptoms go away, you may still feel tired. If you've had a flu shot, the illness may be shorter or less intense. In some cases, the flu can lead to longer-lasting conditions, such as pneumonia.

In children, flu symptoms typically last for less than seven days. Kids who develop severe forms of the virus may be sick for longer. Like adults, children can also develop pneumonia or other lung infections.

 

In healthy adults, the flu can be contagious for about 24 hours before symptoms appear. You can also spread the virus for up to a week after you start feeling sick. In most people, however, the most contagious period is during the first four days of symptoms. If you have a weak immune system, you may be contagious for longer; the same goes for kids.

That depends on which test you take. Rapid influenza diagnostic tests and rapid molecular assays usually give you a result in 15 to 20 minutes. Keep in mind that RIDTs occasionally provide false negative results: you might test negative but still have the flu.

For the most accurate result, you can get a test from a lab. Depending on the lab and the test, you usually get results within a few hours.

If you're using a rapid test and you have influenza, you usually test positive within about four days of the first symptoms. Small children often test positive for several more days. If you're getting a highly sensitive lab test, it may provide a positive result for longer. People with weak or suppressed immune systems could get a positive test result for weeks after symptoms begin.

Home remedies are essential. If required, an anti-viral medicine may be prescribed to help lessen both the severity and duration of the flu. When administered soon after symptoms start, these drugs may shorten your illness by a day or so. They may also help prevent serious complications.

If you come down with the flu, do the following to ease your symptoms: 

  • Drink lots of water, juice and warm soups: These help you stay well-hydrated.
  • Get plenty of rest: Sleep helps your immune system fight infections.
  • Take pain relief medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen: These can help soothe body aches.

 

Flu prevention

  • Avoid crowds and wear a mask: Flu spreads wherever people congregate. This includes schools, auditoriums, office buildings, public transportation and childcare centers. Avoid crowds during the peak flu season to limit the risk of infection. If you have the flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever subsides. When you stay home, there’s less chance you’ll infect other people. 
  • Contain your coughs and sneezes: Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Direct the cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of your elbow so that you do not contaminate your hands.
  • Get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine: Do this every flu season or when a new COVID-19 vaccine is available. 
  • Wash your hands: Do this frequently to prevent infections. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available.
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IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Please visit a health care provider for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local emergency department.

 

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