More Than Just the Flu: Fast Pace Health is Your Helpful Guide to Navigating Peak Seasonal Illnesses

As the weather cools and we spend more time indoors, our Fast Pace Health urgent care clinics see a surge in various contagious illnesses. While the flu (influenza) often dominates the headlines, it’s one of many seasonal sicknesses that can disrupt your life.

At Fast Pace Health, we’re here to help offer convenient testing, treatment, and peace of mind for many common seasonal illnesses. Here is your essential guide to some of the illnesses circulating in the Fall/Winter season, and our recommendations on when you should seek care.

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1. Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can cause severe symptoms.
The CDC recommend annual influenza vaccination for all individuals aged 6 months and older.¹ High-risk groups include children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic conditions.²

• Key Symptoms: High fever, body aches, headache, fatigue, and cough.
• Action Plan: If you suspect the flu, especially if you are high-risk, it can be crucial to seek testing and treatment early. Antiviral medications, which can lessen the severity and duration of the flu, are most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.³

2. The Common Cold

Updated Guidance: The CDC notes that cold symptoms are milder than flu and typically include runny nose, sore throat, and congestion. Fever is rare.⁴ Treatment is generally supportive: rest, fluids, and symptom relief. Antibiotics are not effective.⁵

The common cold is one of the most frequent reasons people visit Fast Pace Health urgent care. Common cold symptoms are milder than flu and typically include runny nose, sore throat, and congestion. Fever is rare.

• Symptom Management: The common cold is a viral infection that generally requires supportive care. Focus on rest, hydration, and medications to manage symptoms like congestion, sore throat, and runny nose. Antibiotics are not effective.
• Action Plan: Fast Pace Health can help treatment with medications (where medically appropriate) to help relieve congestion and help you feel better. If your symptoms escalate rapidly and include high fever and extreme body aches, it’s possible that you have a more serious illness such as influenza or pneumonia.
• Differentiating from the Flu: Common colds are typically milder, often do not include a fever, and rarely lead to serious health complications.

3. Sinusitis (Sinus Infections)

Sinusitis is often a complication of a common cold or allergies.  Usually symptoms progress beyond 10 days and include facial pressure, pain, and thick nasal discharge.
When to Seek Care: Most sinus infections are viral and will resolve on their own. However, a viral infection may lead to a bacterial infection. If your symptoms worsen after 5-7 days, or if they persist beyond 10 days without improvement, you may have a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. Our providers can help determine if antibiotic treatment is necessary.

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4. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is a highly contagious virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages. While generally mild in healthy adults, it is a significant concern for vulnerable populations which include infants, older adults, and those with chronic heart/lung disease. RSV vaccines (e.g., Abrysvo) are recommended for adults ≥75 and high-risk individuals 50–74.⁶

• Vulnerable Groups: RSV is especially important for pediatrics, as it is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and young children.⁷ It is also a serious concern for the elderly and individuals with underlying heart or lung conditions.
• Symptoms in Infants: Look for signs like wheezing, difficulty breathing, fast breathing, and a reduced appetite. Immediate attention is needed if an infant’s breathing seems labored.
• Treatment: Treatment is generally supportive, but our providers can monitor oxygen levels and offer guidance on managing severe symptoms.

5. Strep Throat (Streptococcal Pharyngitis)

Unlike most viral seasonal ailments, Strep Throat is a bacterial infection that commonly circulates, especially among school-age children.

• Key Symptoms: Sudden onset of a very sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, and tonsillar exudates. A cough is typically absent.
• Action Plan: Because strep is bacterial, it generally requires antibiotics to prevent rare but serious complications like rheumatic fever.⁸ Fast Pace Health can help offer a rapid strep testing to aide with a quick diagnosis and, where medically appropriate, can prescribe the appropriate antibiotic treatment immediately.

6. Bronchitis and the Lingering Cough

Acute Bronchitis: This is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often following a cold or flu. It generally causes chest discomfort and mucus production, but it is typically viral and resolves over several weeks.

• When a Cough Is Concerning: While a cough can linger for weeks, you should seek immediate evaluation if you experience:
  • Coughing up blood or pink/rust-colored sputum.
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
  • High fever.
  • Chest pain.

In these cases, a Fast Pace Health provider may recommend a testing including testing for influenza as well as chest X-ray to rule out more serious complications like pneumonia.

7. Stomach Flu/Norovirus (Gastroenteritis)

These highly contagious viruses—often referred to as the “stomach flu” or Norovirus—surge in close indoor settings during the colder months, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
The CDC notes norovirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis.⁹ It spreads via contaminated food, surfaces, and person-to-person contact. Handwashing with soap is more effective than sanitizer.¹⁰

Focus on Dehydration: The primary danger of gastroenteritis is rapid dehydration, especially for children and the elderly.
Dehydration Warnings: Look for signs like decreased urination, dry mouth and skin, lightheadedness, and lethargy. Focus on frequent sips of clear fluids and electrolyte-rich drinks. If you cannot keep fluids down, our clinics can provide IV hydration therapy where medically appropriate.

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Fast Pace Health is Your Trusted Resource for Seasonal Health

Don’t let seasonal sickness slow you down. From rapid flu, strep, and RSV testing to managing complicated coughs and prescribing necessary antivirals or antibiotics, Fast Pace Health is your dedicated partner for immediate care.
Walk in seven days a week, or reserve your spot online, to get the fast, affordable, and personalized care you need to feel better, sooner.

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*Reference Source: CDC.gov

1. Seasonal Flu Vaccine Basics (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/index.html) Supporting Text: “Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions.” (Source: Who Needs a Flu Vaccine – https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/vaccinations.html)

2. Flu Complications and People at Higher Risk (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm) Supporting Text: The CDC lists groups at high risk, including children younger than 5 years old (especially those younger than 2), adults 65 years and older, pregnant people, and people with certain chronic medical conditions (like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease).

3. Influenza Antiviral Medications: What You Should Know (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/whatyoushould.htm) Supporting Text: “Antiviral drugs work best when treatment is started within 2 days of getting sick… Treatment with an antiviral drug can still be started later than 2 days after becoming sick in people who are hospitalized or who have severe, complicated, or progressive illness.”

4. Cold Versus Flu (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/cold-versus-flu.htm) Supporting Text: The CDC’s chart comparing cold and flu symptoms notes that Fever is rare for a cold, while common for the flu. For a cold, symptoms like a runny/stuffy nose and sore throat are common, while a severe headache and body aches are uncommon.

5. Common Cold (https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/colds.html) Supporting Text: “Antibiotics are not needed for a cold. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Colds are caused by viruses.” The CDC recommends relief through rest, drinking fluids, and using over-the-counter medications for symptom relief.

6. RSV in Older Adults and People with Chronic Medical Conditions (https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.html) Supporting Text: “The CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine for adults age 60 years and older, using shared clinical decision-making.” (Note: The specific age cutoffs in your document may reflect a specific medical practice’s interpretation, but the current CDC guidance is for those 60 and older.)

7. RSV in Infants and Young Children (https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html) Supporting Text: “RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.”

8. Strep Throat (https://www.cdc.gov/groupa/diseases/strep-throat.html) Supporting Text: “The vast majority of people with strep throat recover completely. But serious complications can occur, such as rheumatic fever or a kidney infection (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis)… If a strep throat infection is treated with antibiotics, people are no longer contagious after 24 hours or more of taking the antibiotic.”

9. Norovirus (Vomiting Bug, Stomach Bug, Stomach Flu) (https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/index.html) Supporting Text: “Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea (gastroenteritis) from acute gastroenteritis in the United States.”

10. Norovirus Prevention: Clean Up (https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/preventing-infection.html) Supporting Text: “Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food.”