If you’ve been following the news, you may know super high numbers of RSV and flu are being seen all over the country. If you’ve been watching these numbers and want to avoid catching these, St. Francis Urgent Care is here to help with that, as well as pointing out some key differences between the two viruses. While there are some very common symptoms that they both share, there are also some key symptoms that can help you figure out which one you may have if you start to not feel so good.
| Symptoms | Flu | RSV |
|---|---|---|
| Body Aches | Yes | No |
| Chills | Yes | No |
| Congestion | Yes | Yes |
| Cough | Yes | Yes |
| Fever | Yes | Yes |
| Headache | Yes | No |
| Nausea | Yes | Yes |
| Wheezing | No | Yes |
What to do about the flu.
If you’re worried about catching the flu, it’s not too late to protect yourself with an annual flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is designed to protect against the four main strains of flu that appear most commonly, giving you maximum protection. If you haven’t had a chance to get a flu shot yet, this is your sign to stop into St. Francis Urgent Care and receive one so you can avoid those dreadful flu symptoms. Additionally, if you suspect that you might be in the early stages of the flu, our in-clinic rapid tests can provide results within minutes. Take the test, address any symptoms promptly, and get back to living your best life.
Who can catch RSV?
When it comes to RSV, the stakes are higher for our littlest and wisest members of the community—infants and the elderly. More than just your average sniffles, these age groups can experience a heightened intensity of symptoms, featuring fevers and even a bit of wheezing. Unfortunately, there’s no RSV vaccine that can give you protection. But here’s the silver lining – for most cases, it’s a temporary pitstop in the healthcare journey, and the majority of infections wrap up within just 1 to 2 weeks.
Let’s work together to be proactive.
There are some proactive steps you should take this winter to protect yourself and others from both RSV and flu.
- Wash your hands regularly. Germs can linger on countertops, chairs, doorknobs, etc, so you can pick them up just by walking around. However, when you wash your hands, you’re cleaning off those potential germs and stopping a virus before it gets to you.
- Drink lots of fluids. When you have enough fluids, your body’s ability to catch and destroy viruses before they get into your body is heightened.
- It’s crucial to keep a hands-off approach, especially with little ones. Consider practicing social distancing to minimize the risk of spreading infections, such as refraining from touching babies you don’t know well in the grocery store. By being mindful of these simple precautions, we can help create a safer environment for everyone, particularly the most vulnerable members of our community.
- Get lots of rest. When you rest, you’re giving your body time to recharge and repair its natural defenses. By allowing yourself to get that extra hour of sleep, your body can more easily fight off any viruses that come your way.
Family health simplified: book, test, treat!
If you’re worried you may have caught something during this winter season or want to make sure that you’re ready for any virus that comes your way, stop by and visit us at St. Francis Urgent Care! We cover all the bases with quick, on-site test results for flu, COVID-19, strep, or RSV. We also treat colds, sinus infections, pink eye, and more! Register online for a more seamless experience, or you can use our Virtual Care if you don’t want to come in person. To learn more about St. Francis Urgent Care or to contact us, visit our website.