What Are Colds and Flu?
A cold or the flu can knock you off your feet, leaving you feeling weak and tired. UMG Urgent Care provides effective treatment for common cold and flu symptoms so you can get back to your regular routine sooner. The difference between cold and flu is mainly the type of virus that causes each and how serious the symptoms are. Colds are typically caused by rhinoviruses while the flu is caused by influenza viruses. Cold symptoms often come on slowly, starting with a sore throat, nasal congestion, and sneezing. The symptoms of the flu tend to appear suddenly and are usually more severe, including high fever and body aches. Cold symptoms can be bothersome, but the flu can make you feel truly awful and can lead to serious health issues, like pneumonia, especially for people with weakened immune systems. It is important to take steps to avoid close contact with those who are sick to prevent the spread of these viral infections. Visit our caring team in Columbia, MD for quality care.
How Are Colds and Flu Treated?
At UMG Urgent Care, we assess your symptoms, determine if you need prescription medication, and provide specific care to help ease your discomfort. If you're unsure whether it's a cold or the flu, our medical professionals can provide quick testing and accurate advice. Most colds go away on their own in about 7 – 10 days. Getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking over-the-counter cold and flu medication can help relieve common cold symptoms, like congestion, coughs, or sneezes. Treatment for the common cold and flu includes a variety of options, such as pain relievers, decongestants, cough syrups, and antiviral drugs. For mild cases of the flu, treatments include resting and drinking lots of fluids, but antiviral medications (like Tamiflu®) may help reduce the length of illness if taken early. The flu can last from a few days to two weeks, depending on how your body fights the virus. Severe symptoms tend to improve within a week, but fatigue can sometimes continue for several weeks. Cold and flu season generally runs from the late fall through early spring. With so many types of colds and flu viruses around, practicing good hygiene — like washing your hands often — helps reduce your chances of getting sick. Additionally, getting a flu shot can help protect against the most common strains of the flu virus each year.
What Are the Benefits of Colds and Flu Treatment?
Receiving prompt cold and flu treatment at UMG Urgent Care in Columbia, MD can greatly impact how long flu and colds last and how severe your symptoms are. Getting prompt medical care is especially important for those who are more vulnerable, like young children, elderly adults, and people with underlying health problems. Proper care for these common illnesses can result in:
- Shorter illness duration
- Reduced symptom severity
- Prevention of complications, such as secondary bacterial infections
- Faster recovery, allowing you to return to your daily activities
- Peace of mind, knowing you are taking the right steps for your health
UMG Urgent Care Reviews
This is a brand new facility, and everything is spotless. Bianca, the receptionist, and nurse assistant is courteous and very helpful. I was taken care of right away. Bianca checked my vitals, and cleaned the cut I had on my finger. She also gave me a tetanus shot that was totally pain free! I was amazed!Then I saw Stephanie, the nurse practitioner. She is also very nice and calm. She explained well to me what to do to care for my cut. She was very reassuring. She took really good care of my wound. This was a very good experience!
The staff is so welcoming! Super patient and kind! Quick and efficient but take care of your needs!So thankful for this team being so close to where I live 🫶🏼
I usually dread going to urgent care due to long waits and so-so service, but this place completely changed my expectations!I visited today for something I thought was urgent and was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and professional everything was. From the check-in with Bianca to the care I received from Dr. Stephanie, everyone was courteous, thorough, and truly caring. This is not your typical urgent care — it’s a gem. I’m so glad I found it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for top-notch care and a kind, efficient team.
Brought my daughter here on a Sunday after a harrowing experience Friday at an ENT office in Laurel. Someone described the facility as more like a spa than an urgent care and I agree!! Even better, the staff is incredible. We were greeted professionally and checked in promptly by Odette. She was friendly and efficient. Dr. Wurapa helps Dr. Stephanie Arsenault on weekend and he was nothing short of incredible. He put my already-anxious daughter at immediate ease, discussing colleges and her future plans. He walked us through each step of the treatment and made sure she was comfortable along the way. Even though it isn’t as close as many others, I will return here any and every time we have an urgent care need. They also have a dentist office and PT on staff. The facility is maintained impeccably. Highly recommend!!Thanks to UMG for making this stressful weekend a distant memory!!
My wife had dizziness and nausea all day and they gave her a shot and she felt better immediately. Very nice, caring staff and nice clean facilities. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
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Recover with Manageable Symptoms
Knowing the difference between cold and flu helps you get the right cold and flu treatments for faster recovery. The goal of treatment is to reduce the impact of symptoms, allowing your body to recover without added complications. At UMG Urgent Care, we provide care that can help shorten the time you're sick and make the symptoms more manageable. If you or your loved ones are dealing with cold and flu symptoms, come to UMG Urgent Care in Columbia, MD. Our team can provide quick and effective care to help you feel better.