Influenza and COVID-19
Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are viral respiratory infections that cause fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. Both illnesses spread easily through respiratory droplets and can range from mild to severe. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can reduce complications and shorten recovery time.
Symptom Onset & Initial Evaluation
Symptoms typically develop suddenly for influenza and may appear gradually for COVID-19, usually within a few days of exposure. Common symptoms include:
- Fever, chills, or sweats
- Cough or sore throat
- Body aches or fatigue
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Headache, loss of taste or smell (more common in COVID-19)
During your visit, your urgent care provider will review your symptom timeline, exposure risk, and vaccination history and perform a focused lung and throat exam to assess illness severity.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on symptom review and rapid testing. Your provider may perform:
- Rapid influenza antigen or PCR testing: Detects flu A and B within minutes.
- COVID-19 antigen or PCR testing: Confirms infection and helps guide isolation and treatment.
- Pulse oximetry or chest X-ray: Evaluates breathing and screens for pneumonia if symptoms are severe.
Accurate testing ensures proper treatment and helps reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
Treatment & Ongoing Management
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, preventing complications, and limiting spread.
- Rest and hydration: Essential for recovery and preventing dehydration.
- Antiviral medications: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or Baloxavir (Xofluza) for influenza, ideally started within 48 hours of symptoms. Paxlovid or other approved antivirals may be prescribed for eligible COVID-19 patients.
- Fever and pain relief: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed.
- Isolation guidance: Stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours (flu) or per CDC guidance for COVID-19.
- Inhalers or oxygen monitoring: Used if coughing or breathing difficulty is significant.
Your provider will discuss warning signs such as persistent shortness of breath, high fever, chest pain, or worsening fatigue that require prompt reevaluation.
Long-Term Outlook
Most patients recover within 7–14 days, though fatigue or cough may linger. Vaccination remains the best protection; annual flu shots significantly lower the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
At The Medical Group of New Jersey, our urgent care team provides fast, accurate testing and evidence-based care to help you recover safely and reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
No appointment is necessary; walk in for same-day care or call ahead to confirm wait times.