To say this winter, as well as this cold and flu season, has been severe is truly a gross understatement. Between record-breaking sub zero temperatures, deadly snow and ice storms, and a record number of flu hospitalizations — including a particularly nasty strain — everyone is just about ready for this season to be over with.
However, Americans are far from being out of the woods. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the cold and flu season typically lasts from October to May, with peak numbers spiking in January and February. Therefore, it’s best for families to take preventative measures in order to ensure the health of their children and seniors, both of which are most likely to suffer from flu-related complications.
If you suspect you, your child, or an older family member has the flu, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. You may not be able to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician or adult primary care physician soon enough, and without proper medical attention or prescription medication, the flu can wreak havoc on the body.
Urgent care centers are excellent in evaluation and treatment of acutely arising conditions such as the flu, which are severe enough to require immediate medical condition but still may not warrant a trip to the emergency room.
Also, urgent care hours are flexible, with most urgent care clinics operating on a walk-in basis. This allows patients to be seen and treated quickly, often within an hour.
Urgent care for kids is similar to traditional urgent care centers, however, these facilities have a more pediatric focus. You may find that children are more comfortable with urgent care for kids, as these physicians are used to dealing with children on a regular basis.
Regardless of the center or facility, urgent care in general is far less expensive than an emergency room visit, which can easily cost into the thousands. This has made urgent care centers especially popular and effective in treating conditions such as the flu.