Closed windows, crowded public spaces, and large holiday gatherings increase the spread of winter illnesses. Many of these illnesses take time to recover from, but doctors have medications and tips for managing the most troublesome symptoms.
Handwashing, maintaining distance from others, staying up to date on immunizations, and wearing face masks help keep you healthy. Despite your best efforts, you’re sick. The CDC estimates that 47 to 82 million Americans had the flu in the 2024/2025 flu season. It’s hard to dodge every virus that’s out there.
When you’re not feeling great, how do you know which winter illness is affecting you? When is it important to get treated at a walk-in UC clinic? Explore the common winter illnesses in Fresno and when to seek urgent care.
Acute Bronchitis
Most people know acute bronchitis better as a chest cold. It’s a viral infection affecting the bronchi that lasts a few weeks. A cough with mucus is the most common symptom, but chest discomfort/shortness of breath, and fever are also symptoms.
When you have a chest cold, there’s no cure. While it might be tempting to take over-the-counter cough suppressants, you should wait until you have cleared the mucus. Don’t use cough suppressants until all mucus is gone. Instead, drink plenty of water. Hot lemon water can soothe your throat if it hurts from coughing.
If you have a fever, over-the-counter (OTC) fever reducers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, help. If the fever persists more than a couple of days, doesn’t respond to OTC medications, or exceeds 103ºF (adults) or 100.4 ºF (under 3 months), go to urgent care or call your family doctor.
Common Cold
The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system. Primary symptoms include:
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Cough
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Fatigue
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Runny nose
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Sneezing
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Sore/scratchy throat
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Stuffy nose
Sometimes, the sinus pressure from the congestion triggers headaches.
There’s no cure for the cold. Decongestants help with the congestion, and OTC pain medications ease headaches. You can also use a saline nasal spray or steam to help loosen mucus in the sinuses. Ease throat issues with lozenges or gargle with warm salt water.
Ear Infections
Most ear infections are viral and usually occur with a cold. This infection is caused by inflammation that narrows the tubes between the back of the throat and the middle ear. Most ear infections resolve on their own as mucus drains.
OTC pain medications help ease the pain. Warm compresses also help.
You should see a doctor if it’s been more than three days, symptoms are worsening, or pus or blood is draining from the ear. If the ear infection is in a child younger than six months, it’s also important to call the child’s pediatrician or bring the child to urgent care.
Influenza
You probably know this winter illness better as the flu. It’s a viral respiratory infection. Symptoms include:
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Chills
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Cough
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Fever
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Headache
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Lack of energy
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Muscle aches
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Sensitivity to light and eye pain
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Sweating
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Watery eyes
Most people get well without medical treatment, but you should go to urgent care or your doctor if you have a chronic health condition like cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. You should also seek care if you’re having difficulty breathing, experiencing chest pain, or sensing that your symptoms are worsening.
A yearly flu shot is recommended for all ages, especially for those with underlying health conditions. The flu shot isn’t a guarantee against getting the flu, but it helps reduce the severity of the symptoms if you do get the virus.
Pneumonia
This infection of the lungs’ air sacs can be bacterial, fungal, or viral, and ranges in severity from mild to life-threatening. More severe cases tend to impact young children, older adults, and people with chronic or underlying health issues.
Symptoms of pneumonia include:
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Chest pain
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Chills
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Cough, often coughing up mucus
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Fatigue
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Fever
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Low body temperature
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Nausea and vomiting, especially in babies
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Shortness of breath
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Sweating
Children under two, people with underlying health issues, people with suppressed immune systems, and adults over 65 must see a doctor if pneumonia is suspected. It can quickly escalate without treatment.
The pneumococcal vaccination is available to help lower the risk of bacterial pneumonia. It’s recommended for children under five, adults 50 or older, or adults with chronic health conditions.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and lungs. Most children have it by the age of two, but it can impact adults, too. For many people, symptoms are mild and resemble a cold. It can become severe in infants, people with heart or lung disease, or older adults. Watch for:
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Congestion
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Dry cough
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Headache
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Low-grade fever
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Runny nose
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Sneezing
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Sore throat
If the virus travels into the lungs, pneumonia is a risk. Infants have a higher risk. Go to urgent care or your child’s pediatrician if your child isn’t eating well, experiences shallow, rapid breathing, or is lethargic.
Consider the RSV vaccination for infants and children up to 19 months old. The vaccination is also available for pregnant women who want to pass on antibodies to their infant. The RSV vaccination is also recommended for adults 60 or older.
SARS-CoV-2 Virus (COVID-19)
Over the past few years, people have become very aware of COVID-19. Vaccinations are available and help protect you from severe symptoms. It’s essential if you’re 65 or older or at high risk of severe symptoms.
COVID-19 is a virus that comes with a variety of symptoms. Some resemble other winter illnesses, so COVID tests help you determine if you have the flu, a bad cold, or COVID-19. Symptoms include:
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Body and muscle aches
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Congestion and a runny nose
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Diarrhea and upset stomach
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Dry cough
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Fatigue
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Fever and chills
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Headache
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Loss of smell or taste
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Shortness of breath
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Sore throat
If you test positive for COVID-19, you should self-isolate to prevent spreading it. Wearing a mask when you go to urgent care or a doctor’s office helps keep your germs from becoming airborne.
Sinus Infections
Sinus infections often follow a respiratory virus, such as a cold, but they can also follow seasonal allergies. Thick mucus builds up in the sinuses, causing an infection. As that infection develops when bacteria grow in the trapped mucus, you need to go to urgent care, especially if it’s been more than 10 days and symptoms aren’t improving.
Symptoms include:
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Bad breath
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Fever
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Headache
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Pain and pressure around the cheeks, eyes, and forehead
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Reduced sense of taste or smell
Self-care is recommended as soon as you suspect you have a sinus infection. Use saline nasal spray, OTC pain medications, and decongestants.
Stomach Bug
The so-called stomach flu is different from the flu. It impacts the stomach and intestines rather than the respiratory system. Norovirus is the most common cause of the stomach bug (gastroenteritis) and spreads quickly. The main symptoms are:
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Diarrhea
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Nausea
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Stomach pain
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Vomiting
Since it’s challenging to keep food and liquids down, dehydration can happen. Be aware of the signs of dehydration and see a doctor if you suspect you’re dehydrated:
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Dark colored urine
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Dizziness or weakness
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Dry mouth
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Headache
Strep Throat
Finally, strep throat is a bacterial infection that requires a throat culture and antibiotics. Urgent care clinics make it easy to get this test done to confirm if it’s strep or something else.
Symptoms of strep include:
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Fever
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Pain when swallowing
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Headache
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Swollen lymph nodes
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Swollen, painful tonsils
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White patches or streaks on the back of the throat
Antibiotics treat the infection, but you’ll also need to drink plenty of liquid. OTC pain medications ease fever and throat pain.
When symptoms like a fever, chronic cough, or chest congestion hit, make sure you get effective treatments. Over-the-counter medications aren’t always enough. Premium Urgent Care offers walk-in medical care for winter illnesses and other complaints.
If you have a life-or-death emergency, the hospital’s emergency department is the place to go. For winter illnesses, check-in online and see one of our Fresno urgent care doctors for prompt, compassionate care.