Centra Care has good news for patients who may be suffering from What’s Going Around this week. While most people don’t need to see a doctor for this illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is a leading cause of doctor visits in the United States. Upper Respiratory Infection (a.k.a. URI or common cold) is What’s Going Around Central Florida. And, the good news? Centra Care has just announced our new program, No Wait, Online Reservations (more info below).
Centra Care physicians have seen an increase in URI patients at the following centers:
Formosa – up over 800%
Oviedo – up 440%
Hunter’s Creek – up 300%
Azalea Park – up 280%
Waterford Lakes – up 250%
Conway – up 200%
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URI is any type of infection of the head and chest that is caused by a virus. It can affect people in different ways… In the nose, throat, sinuses and ears. The infection is spread when viruses are passed to others by sneezing, coughing, or by touching something that has been infected by another person.
Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infection include:
- Scratchy or sore throat
- Sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion
- Cough
- Watery eyes
- Ear congestion
- Slight fever (99º to 100ºF)
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Symptoms typically develop one to three days after coming into contact with a cold virus and last about a week or so. You can help take care of yourself by drinking lots of fluids and using a humidifier at night so that you’re inhaling moist air. Over the counter medications can help to relieve symptoms.
But there’s also a time when you need to see a doctor or take your child to a doctor:
- Temperature reaches 102ºF or higher
- Shaking chills
- Difficulty breathing/wheezing
- Chest pain
- Skin rash
- Worsening sore throat
- A cough that gets worse or becomes painful
- Severe headache
- Mental confusion
- Blue or gray lips, skin or nails
- Worsening earache
If you do need to see a doctor, Centra Care’s new No Wait, Online Reservations allows you to secure a time at any of our locations that fits with your schedule. Now if you or a family member is sick or injured, you can schedule to see a doctor during your lunch break, after work, in between classes, on the weekend, or whenever is convenient for you. As always, walk-ins are welcome, but scheduling online in advance will significantly cut down on wait time.
There are 18 Centra Care Urgent Care locations – and a Florida Hospital certified physician on site – 7 Days a Week. For more information visit: www.CentraCare.org
