{"id":24487,"date":"2023-10-10T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/?p=24487"},"modified":"2026-02-06T11:13:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T19:13:32","slug":"know-when-to-seek-care-for-colds-flu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/know-when-to-seek-care-for-colds-flu\/","title":{"rendered":"Know When to Seek Care for Colds &amp; Flu"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article\">\n\t<header class=\"header\">\n\t\t<span class=\"type\"><\/span>\t\t<h1>Know When to Seek Care for Colds &amp; Flu<\/h1>\t\t<time>October 10, 2023<\/time>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div id=\"block_cc12f3ff89c276a70a8eba08feab214e\" class=\"shs-block block-news-article entry-content\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p>As respiratory illnesses such as colds, flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus \u2014 known as RSV \u2014 make the rounds this fall and winter, you or a loved one might end up catching something, despite your best efforts at prevention. (See article on previous page for prevention tips.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThough the fever, chills, runny noses and sore throats may be very uncomfortable, these symptoms usually aren\u2019t dangerous and are best cared for at home with rest, fluids and over\u2011the\u2011counter medicines for pain or fever,\u201d said Physician Assistant <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/patients-visitors\/find-a-doctor\/wright-william-1427018027\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hank Wright<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/find-a-location\/s\/samcare-express-corvallis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SamCare Express \u2014 Corvallis.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For symptoms of a cold, flu, COVID-19 or RSV, remember the following guidelines:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stay home to avoid passing your illness to others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Help manage symptoms with proper nutrition, hydration and rest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage fever and pain. Never give aspirin to children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your pharmacist is often a great resource for guidance on over\u2011the\u2011counter medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, how do you know when to call the doctor or make an appointment? Should you go to a walk-in clinic or an emergency department?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you or your child have these symptoms, seek care immediately at an emergency department:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Difficult, abnormal or very rapid breathing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Audible wheezing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appearing blue or pale.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chest pain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pain with breathing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Abdominal pain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confusion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Severe headache.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dehydration in a young child or infant (not urinating; no tears when crying).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fever over 105 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A rash that looks like bruising or broken blood vessels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you or your child experience the following symptoms, call your primary care provider for an appointment or visit a walk-in clinic:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sinus pain and\/or pressure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sore throat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ear pain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nausea, vomiting and\/or diarrhea.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rash.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Headache (not severe).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Body aches.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coughing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese symptoms could mean something more serious, but usually cold and flu symptoms can be safely and effectively cared for at home,\u201d said Wright. \u201cIf you are on the fence and feeling unsure about whether you need to be seen, sometimes a telemedicine appointment or a quick <a href=\"https:\/\/mychart.samhealth.org\/MyChart\/Authentication\/Login?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MyChart<\/a> E-Visit can give you the opportunity to run your symptoms by a health care<br>provider and put your mind at ease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For some patients with flu, the antiviral medication Tamiflu can shorten the duration of symptoms if started within 48 hours of symptoms starting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For patients with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe disease, there are antiviral medications which, if started early, can reduce the chance of hospitalization or severe illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers and educators should also allow people to care for their respiratory illnesses at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf your employees or students have to miss work or school, please do not require a doctor\u2019s note that will force them to seek immediate attention in an urgent care or emergency department,\u201d Wright said. \u201cThese unnecessary visits place a strain on our emergency departments and walk-in clinics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/find-a-location\/s\/samcare-express-corvallis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SamCare Express \u2014 Corvallis<\/a> is located in the new Oregon State University Health Center, next to Reser Stadium at 850 SW 26th St. and is open seven days a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/health-services\/all-services\/walk-in-care-virtual-care\/where-to-go-for-care\/#Where\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See a handy chart<\/a> to know your options of where to go for care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you need help finding a primary care provider? Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhealth.org\/patient-visitors\/find-a-doctor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">samhealth.org\/FindaDoc<\/a> or call <a class=\"phone-link\" href=\"tel:800-863-5241\">800-863-5241<\/a> for assistance.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<aside>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Family-sick-in-bed-CO.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta wp-post-image\" alt=\"Mother and father with children all in bed and all blowing their noses.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Family-sick-in-bed-CO.jpg 360w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Family-sick-in-bed-CO-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Family-sick-in-bed-CO-120x100.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t<\/aside>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn when to seek care for cold and flu and how to know if you should call your doctor, go to walk-in care or visit the emergency room.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":25686,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_shs_workflow_notes":"","_shs_exclude_from_navigation":false,"_shs_promote_article_on_blogs":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"news-topics":[293],"news-types":[270],"services":[265,243],"specialty":[58],"class_list":["post-24487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","news-topics-wellness","news-types-feature-article","services-walk-in-same-day-care","services-infectious-disease-travel-medicine","specialty-infectious-disease"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24487"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24487\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24487"},{"taxonomy":"news-topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-topics?post=24487"},{"taxonomy":"news-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-types?post=24487"},{"taxonomy":"services","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/services?post=24487"},{"taxonomy":"specialty","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specialty?post=24487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}