Do you have the infamous summer cold or Covid-19-19? You're not sure what your symptoms mean and whether you should continue going to work or stay home. Take a look at what you need to know about these common viruses, the symptoms to watch out for, where to get tested, and how an urgent care center can help.

Are Symptoms Enough For A Diagnosis?

No, symptoms alone are not enough for a diagnosis. Prior to the pandemic, your doctor may have immediately jumped to diagnose a summertime low-grade fever, runny nose, stuffiness, sore throat, and cough as a cold—especially months past the peak flu season. 

Even though there are clear Covid-19 symptoms, these overlap or are almost identical to what you might experience with a cold. This makes it impossible for an urgent care clinic provider or any other doctor to diagnose you without a Covid-19 test.

Do Mild Symptoms Make A Difference?

Again, the answer to this question is no—in terms of a diagnosis. While Covid-19 can lead to serious illness, many people experience mild cold-like symptoms or are completely asymptomatic (have no symptoms). This means that the severity of your symptoms may not help the doctor to diagnose one illness or the other.

Both the common summer cold and Covid-19 may include nasal congestion, a runny nose, a sore throat, a headache, a cough, or a fever. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Covid-19 may also cause GI symptoms, fatigue, muscle aches, shortness of breath, or loss of smell/taste. Any severe symptom requires immediate medical treatment. If you have difficulty breathing, a high fever, or any other symptom of concern, skip the urgent care center and go to the emergency room immediately.

Can Urgent Care Clinics Help?

Yes, this type of walk-in medical clinic can help with a summertime cold or Covid-19 symptoms. Some clinics may provide rapid or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. These diagnostic tests can confirm or rule out a Covid-19 infection. 

Whether you test negative or positive for Covid-19 (either at the clinic or somewhere else), a walk-in center can help you to take the next step. The medical provider can refer you to or prescribe Covid-19 treatments—depending on the clinic's resources and available treatment options in your area. 

If you don't have Covid-19, a clinic provider can also help. While there is no cure for the summertime cold, you can find relief and prevent other potential health-related issues. Dehydration is a serious complication of many viral illnesses. The summer heat and humidity increase this risk. The clinic doctor can recommend ways to prevent dehydration and suggest over-the-counter products to relieve symptoms, such as congestion, a sore throat, or a cough.

Contact a local urgent care clinic for more information.