The Medical Minute: Got the flu? Here’s where to go for care

You wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed – now with a fever, cough and muscle aches. You’ve got the flu. The question is: where should you go for care?

As influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 surge this winter, more people are turning to hospital emergency departments. Knowing where to go can help you get the right care faster – and keep emergency rooms available for people with life-threatening conditions.

“If your symptoms are mild – a fever less than 103 degrees, cough or congestion, but you’re able to take fluids – and you’re not having trouble breathing, there’s no real reason to go to the emergency room,” said Dr. Shawn Phillips, a family medicine physician at Penn State Health Medical Group – Mount Joy.

If you don’t have other serious, ongoing health problems, you can usually recover safely at home or be seen by your family doctor, an urgent care clinic or through a virtual visit.

When should I go to my primary care doctor or urgent care?

If you feel sick enough to see a doctor, start with your primary care provider. They know your medical history and can help decide whether testing, medication or further care is needed.

People at higher risk of serious flu-related complications should contact their provider early in their illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says this includes:

• Young children
• Adults 65 and older
• Pregnant people
• People with weakened immune systems

If you can’t get an appointment with your provider in a few days, urgent care or virtual visits are good alternatives. Urgent care clinics are designed for people who need prompt medical attention but are breathing comfortably and not in immediate danger. Many practices also offer virtual visits, allowing you to see a doctor from home without exposing others to your illness.

For children, contact their pediatrician or go to urgent care if they:

• Have a fever higher than 100.4°F and are younger than 3 months
• Show signs of dehydration (not peeing regularly)
• Have a cough that gets worse or causes breathing trouble
• Refuse to eat, drink, breastfeed or take a bottle

When should I go to the emergency department?

Some people go to the emergency department because they’re not sure where else to go or don’t have health insurance, said Dr. Dan McLaughlin, medical director of the Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center emergency department. However, emergency departments care for the sickest patients first. People with non-urgent illnesses may wait longer and be exposed to other germs in the waiting room.

“Patients who can’t breathe or stay hydrated should come to the emergency department right away or consider calling an ambulance,” McLaughlin said. “Older patients with lung diseases like COPD, emphysema or asthma and patients taking medications that weaken the immune system are also at higher risk for severe illness and should go to an emergency department.”

If you or a family member experiences these other serious symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency department:

Adults:

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Dizziness or confusion
• Seizures
• Not urinating
• Severe muscle pain, weakness or unsteadiness
• Fever or cough that improves and then returns or worsens
• Worsening of a chronic medical condition

Children: 

• Heavy breathing where ribs are easily seen
• Fast breathing that makes eating or drinking difficult
• Blue color around lips or face
• Vomiting all food and drink
• Dehydration (less than three wet diapers or bathroom trips a day)
• Excessive irritability or sleepiness

How can I care for myself at home?

If your symptoms are mild, supportive care at home is often enough:

• Rest and hydrate.
• Use over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen for fever.
• Use a humidifier or expectorants like Mucinex for congestion.
• Take a flu or COVID-19 test.

If you test positive for flu or COVID-19, ask your doctor about antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu). The CDC recommends starting antivirals within 48 hours of when symptoms begin.

Fever from the flu usually peaks on day two or three, McLaughlin said, and may last up to a week. Full recovery can take 10 to 14 days, and cough can linger for several weeks.

Is it too late to get a flu shot?

It’s not too late to get vaccinated because the flu season often peaks between December and February and can continue into spring. Even if you’ve already had the flu, vaccination can protect you against other circulating strains.

“The flu shot still does provide significant protection from severe illness that can lead to hospitalization, so I recommend strongly if people haven’t had the flu shot, they get it,” Phillips said.

It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to provide full protection.

Choosing the right care option when you’re sick helps you recover safely while keeping the emergency department available for true emergencies.

“We want to make sure our resources are used wisely so the sickest people can get access to care in the emergency room,” Phillips said.

Learn more about which care option is right for you.

Related Content:

• Video: Should I go to my family physician, urgent care or emergency room?
• The Medical Minute: 10 health tips for parents during cold and flu season
• The Medical Minute: Planning ahead for a potential emergency department visit

The Medical Minute is a weekly health news feature produced by Penn State Health. Articles feature the expertise of faculty, physicians and staff, and are designed to offer timely, relevant health information of interest to a broad audience.

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