Feeling under the weather? Optimize Medical is here when you need care right away for routine healthcare needs, illnesses and minor injuries. Optimize Medical offers fast and convenient  Primary Care services for cold, flu, strep throat, covid-19, stomach viruses, urinary tract infections, and other common illnesses. Our Coral Springs clinic provides convenient same-day and next-day appointments, so you can get care when you need it most.

For mild cold symptoms, home care such as rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications may be enough. However, visit your primary care provider (PCP) at Optimize Medical in Coral Springs if you experience:

• Symptoms lasting more than a few days or get worse after initial improvement.
• Fever (over 101°F) 
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
• Sore throat, especially if accompanied by swollen glands 
• Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, confusion, or reduced urination.
• You have underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, which can make flu symptoms more severe.

Your PCP can diagnose whether you have a viral or bacterial infection and prescribe appropriate treatments, like antivirals for the flu or antibiotics if appropriate. 

Flu Season and Immunization

The flu season starts in October and lasts until May, but flu outbreaks and the peak of flu season happen at a local level. Call Optimize Medical to learn about the peak flu season in Coral Springs.

Schedule your flu shot appointment as soon as the vaccination is available. Even if a person has the flu vaccine, they may still get the flu virus. However, a flu shot is the best preventative measure a person can take.

What Are Flu Symptoms? 

The flu is characterized by symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes respiratory congestion. Even though the symptoms are similar to the common cold, they can become severe enough to lead to other illnesses and even cause death. Influenza can range in severity from mild to severe and can lead to complications, especially in vulnerable populations including young children and those with weakened immune systems. 

It’s important to note the flu is highly contagious. During the first couple days, it easily spreads to other children, family members, and those around them. During periods of outbreak, typically occurring in winter, the illness tends to be more prevalent among preschool and school-aged children. College students and teenagers are also recognized as groups in which flu viruses can rapidly spread. 

How Can I Protect My Family From the Cold and Flu? 

There are a number of measures that the CDC recommends that you and your child should take to avoid getting and spreading the flu. These include:

• Avoid close contact. Especially contact with those who are sick. When you are sick you should also avoid contact with others.
• Stay home when you are sick. Not only will this help prevent the spread of germs, but it will ensure that you don’t overexert yourself if you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose. Sneezing and coughing are the easiest ways for viruses to spread. Cover your mouth if you are sick.
• Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often, not just when you use the restroom. You pick up a lot of germs on your hands throughout the day, and if you’re out in public during flu season, there’s a good chance you’ll pick up the flu.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Even if you keep your hands clean, viruses easily enter the body through the orifices on your face.
• Practice good health habits. Make sure to disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot. For example, wipe down a shopping cart handle with a wipe before using. Additionally, make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious food and drink a lot of fluids.

Make sure you teach these good habits to your children so that when they are not by your side, they will help prevent the flu from spreading.

Sick, Cold, and Flu Treatment in Coral Springs, FL

While rest and drinking a lot of fluids are recommended with the flu, sometimes medication is required.

Typically, a doctor will prescribe medications to you or your child if you are diagnosed with the flu. Call Optimize Medical for questions about cold and flu symptoms or guidance on over-the-counter medications.