When to see a doctor for cold/flu?

[scbusf]

I am on Day 5 of a fever and congestion. Several Covid tests have been negative. I am miserable.  No one else in my family has been sick. I’m assuming I probably have the flu, but it’s too late for antivirals I would think. If I drag myself to Urgent Care today, can they even do anything?

[TheReader]

DH went and they did give him some Rx stuff for the symptoms, which worked much better than the OTC stuff he'd been taking. So, there's that if that will help you. 

 

[Katy]

They’ll check your breathing for signs of pneumonia and vitals for signs of needing hospitalization, but no, there’s not much else they can do for a virus. After 10 days they’ll give antibiotics. 

[Lady Marmalade]

RSV is going around at my work. It's taking weeks to clear up and most of the people who have gone to the doctor have been told it has to run its course. They're told to stay home if they have a fever but to use OTC meds for the symptoms. 

[bolt.]

For me, basically only if I think someone needs hospital services, such as:

- The are dehydrated and not able to accept fluids. (They can do IV fluids and other meds as needed.)

- Their breathing or blood oxygen leads me to suspect problems in the lungs. (They can do imagery on the lungs.)

- They seem dangerously lethargic or disoriented. (They can do a full assessment in case something not-the-flu is going on.)

For any of the above, I'd choose emergency or urgent care. I'd choose my own doctor only if it has lasted long enough that I have reason to suspect an infection has developed: maybe 2+ weeks? (They can check for infections, make referrals for imagery as needed, and prescribe antibiotics if that's the right path.)

If I'm hemming and hawing, I usually call the nurse hotline and follow their advice.

In your case, I wouldn't be doing anything for just fever, congestion and misery. I'd be looking out for signs of dehydration, lethargy, low blood ox, compromised breathing, or disorientation. You haven't mentioned any of those, so if it was me I would choose to just wait it out. You should also ask family members to help you watch for those things, in case you don't have great personal judgement or awareness by the time they show up. (Antivirals are an uncommon choice for doctors around here, and I'd be really surprised to see them being prescribed in an ordinary cold/flu case in a healthy adult -- but that may have changed lately, or be in the process of changing.)

[Rosla]

I would visit a doctor if I were you. It is important to check breathing to be sure this is not pneumonia. Also, self-treating can be harmful. At least, check the info on the meds you are going to take online. I often use the Canadian Pharmacy site for this purpose. It can help you avoid overdosing and be aware of the possible side effects. 

Edited March 28 by Rosla

[prairiewindmomma]

For us:

—low oxygen saturation rates

—uncontrolled asthma flareups from viral airway inflammation (needing more frequent breathing treatments than rx is written for)

—chest pain (I have a history of developing pneumonia and I get deep lower lung pain)

—strep throat testing if really sore throat or known exposure

—sinus pain 8-14 days after illness starts if saline flushes dont take care of it or if a fever spikes above 101

—lethargy of a severe variety (listless, impaired consciousness, etc.)

—unmanageable dehydration 

Day 5 of a fever and congestion would not = urgent care for me unless you are under special care (cancer treatment, organ transplant, etc.—and you would have already gotten instructions from a specialist as to how to manage these types of situations).

[Laura Corin]

In general I only see a doctor if I suddenly get worse and I suspect a secondary bacterial infection.

[J-rap]

I rarely see a doctor for an illness, unless the bug I have has suddenly turned from bad to far worse, or I'm not getting better after a period of time.

So, even a bad flu is kind of predictable.   I feel lousy and feverish and chilled for a few days, and then expect to get better.  If I don't get better, or if it takes a weird turn that I'm unfamiliar with, I'd probably contact a doctor.

A couple weeks ago, I had body aches that turned into a cough and sore throat the next day, and then feverish and chills and loss of appetite for the next three days.  Then slowly better except not much appetite and still very tired, for several more days.  I'm pretty sure it was one of the influenza viruses, but it followed a typical pattern so I didn't feel a need to see a doctor.

[scbusf]

Thank you, everyone! I thought I had a fever this morning, but it was super-low. No fever all day! Hopefully this means I've turned the corner. If I get any worse, I promise I will go in!!!!