Respiratory Illness Season Has Arrived: Your Care Options

Feeling under the weather? You’re not alone. As cold and flu season continues, many central Illinois residents are dealing with respiratory symptoms. But where should you turn when you’re not feeling well?

WTAX and Capitol City Now recently sat down with Anna Richie, MD, clinical director for Memorial Care urgent care locations, to discuss how those services can help you recover quickly.

“This is our respiratory illness season,” Dr. Richie said. “You don’t always know when it is going to come, but this year looks like January and February will be our prime months. If you feel sick, stay home. The first three days are when you are the most contagious, so it is important to stay at home, rest and protect others from being infected.”

Symptoms

Whether you’re dealing with a nagging cough, congestion, fever or just feeling run down, it can be hard to know what’s causing your symptoms. Is it a common cold? The flu? RSV? COVID-19? Or maybe just seasonal allergies?

Richie compared the abrupt onset of influenza to feeling like being “run over by a truck.” COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) present more like a sinus infection or a cold but can develop into more serious conditions, like pneumonia. When these symptoms appear, you may want a better idea of what you are dealing with. That’s where an urgent care team can help.

Memorial Care urgent care locations are helpful for colds and flu, COVID-19 testing and treatment, RSV, seasonal allergies, sinus infections, coughs and sore throats, fever and body aches.

Urgent Care Advantages

• No appointment needed: Walk in when you need care.
• Extended hours: Get care when your primary care office may be closed.
• Comprehensive testing: Get tested for multiple respiratory conditions in one visit.
• Fast treatment: Receive a diagnosis and treatment plan quickly.

When to Visit the Emergency Department (ED)

Urgent care is ideal for non-life-threatening conditions that still require prompt medical attention. However, if you’re experiencing severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, high fever that won’t respond to medication or signs of severe dehydration, go to the ED immediately.

Convenient Locations Throughout Central Illinois

Visit our website at memorial.health to find a convenient urgent care location. Or download the My Memorial app where you can see wait times at various locations.