Is it a cold? Is it the flu? Is it COVID? Is it…allergies? These are some of the most common illnesses seen at Emmons. Learn the difference and how to care for yourself at home—and when to come in to see a provider.
*This information is designed to support and educate, but should not be used in the place of medical advice. Please see a medical provider to diagnose any illness and prescribe medications as needed.
Cold, Flu, COVID and Allergies Urinary Tract Infections Vaginitis
Cold, Flu, COVID, and Allergies
Symptom Checker: 🔴 Common 🟠Sometimes 🟡 Rare
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What to Expect
- If you have a viral infection (Coronavirus, flu, or cold), you can expect the symptoms to last from a few days to two weeks.
- If you have seasonal allergies, you can expect the symptoms to improve with medications, but symptoms can continue throughout allergy season.
Treatment
Viral infections:
- Flu and COVID-19: There are antiviral medications that can help decrease the length of illness.
- Cold: there are no targeted antiviral medications because of the range of viruses that can cause colds
- Symptom relief: there are medications (many of them over-the-counter) that can help you with improving your symptoms. These include:
- Pain relief or fever-reducing medications
- Cough suppressants
- Mucus relief
- Decongestants
- Rest and fluids: your immune system is working to fight off the virus. Give it time and proper support to do its job!
Allergies:
- Medications can help, such as:
- Antihistamines
- Nasal sprays
- Eye drops
When to follow up
- If you have severe symptoms (especially if you suspect the flu)
- If you have fever >102 degrees F (39 degrees C), that does not respond to fever-reducing medications
- If you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- If your symptoms last longer than 7-10 days
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Symptoms
- Pain with urination, needing to urinate more often, feeling like you can’t empty your bladder fully, lower abdominal pain or discomfort, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, blood in urine, nausea
Testing
- Urine test to detect the presence of bacteria
Treatment
- Antibiotics by mouth
- Medication to relieve pain and discomfort
When to follow up
- See a medical provider to diagnose the illness and prescribe medications
- No improvement in symptoms after taking antibiotics for 48-72 hours
- Symptoms include fever, chills, lower back pain
Vaginitis
Symptoms
- Vaginitis can be different types of infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), bacterial vaginosis, yeast or trichomonas
- Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal discharge, foul odor, irritation or discomfort of vaginal or genital area, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, pain with intercourse
Testing
- Sometimes these infections may resolve on their own or can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications
- A medical provider may require the following:
- Genital exam
- Urine testing
- Vaginal swab
Treatment
- Determined based on the cause of the infection. It could be:
- Antifungal treatment, by mouth or vaginal cream
- Antibiotic treatment, by mouth or vaginal gel
- Antiparasitic treatment, by mouth or vaginal gel
When to follow up
- If symptoms are moderate to severe or last longer than 7 days with OTC treatment
- If you saw a medical provider and there is no improvement in symptoms or symptoms worsen after taking treatment