Acute Care services (Cold, Flu, Strep, UTI)

At ForCare Medical Center, we offer acute care services designed to deliver immediate and crucial medical care and treatment to our patients. Some of the most common acute conditions include colds, influenza, strep throat, and UTIs.

Common Cold

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms usually appear one to three days after exposure to the virus and often include a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, congestion, body aches, and low-grade fever. Treatment for the common cold is directed at relieving symptoms and includes:

• Pain relievers, such as over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications to ease symptoms
• Decongestant nasal sprays

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is a viral infection caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and, in some cases, the lungs. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and common symptoms associated with flu include fever, aching muscles, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat.
Severe infections often require prescription antiviral drugs to treat the flu. To reduce the risk of the flu and its severity, the CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months or older.

Strep throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes a sore throat due to the bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes. The severity of strep throat varies from person to person. Some people may experience mild symptoms, like a sore throat, while others may have more severe symptoms, including a fever and difficulty swallowing.
Antibiotics are usually the first line of treatment for strep throat. Antibiotics help by inhibiting the spread of bacteria and infections. Common antibiotics prescribed for strep throat include penicillin and amoxicillin.

UTI

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection from microbes in any part of the urinary system — the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, but in some cases, UTIs can be caused by fungi or viruses. Symptoms of a UTI often include:

• Burning with urination
• Increased urgency of urination
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Pelvic pain
• Strong-smelling urine

Treatment for urinary tract infections often involve antibiotics, such as Bactrim, Monurol, Macrodantin, Keflex, and Ceftriaxone.
At ForCare Medical Center, we can help you manage your acute condition and find relief. Contact ForCare Medical Center today to schedule your appointment.