Typically, a fever is just a sign that your immune system is working to fight against a virus or other illness, and it can be easily managed at home. However, there are other times when a fever can become more concerning. Here are some guidelines for evaluating when a fever is a cause for concern, and how to know when it’s time to seek medical help from your local urgent care.
When Fever Becomes Cause for Adults to Visit an Auburn Urgent Care
For most healthy adults, a fever can be managed easily at home. Getting lots of rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking over-the-counter fever reducers are all effective ways to manage a fever. But visiting your local Auburn urgent care becomes appropriate when a fever:
- Lasts longer than 2-3 days
- Gets to 103℉ (39.4℃) or higher
- Returns after initially improving
- Comes with severe throat, ear, or sinus pain
- Comes with painful and/or frequent urination
- Is coupled with persistent cough or chest congestion
- Causes significant dehydration
- Comes with symptoms that are getting worse instead of improving
Urgent care providers like Mills Urgent Care in Auburn, Alabama can perform exams, rapid testing, and X-rays (when appropriate) to determine the root cause of the fever. They can then prescribe medication for bacterial infection or recommend further treatment.
When Children with Fever Should Be Evaluated at an Auburn Urgent Care
Not every fever will require a visit to your local urgent care, but it is important for parents to pay attention to their child’s symptoms alongside the severity of the fever to determine when it’s time to visit the nearest Auburn urgent care clinic. Children with a fever should be evaluated when they have:
- A fever lasting more than 2-3 days
- Difficulty drinking
- Signs of dehydration
- Persistent vomiting
- Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Severe ear pain
- A rash accompanying the fever
- Initial improvement followed by worsening of symptoms
It’s important to keep in mind that infants under three months need special attention when they start running a fever, with a fever above 100.4℉ warranting a visit to the emergency room. But in most cases, a local urgent care in Auburn can provide the care you need for children running a fever.
Special Considerations for College Students
We understand that it can be tempting for Auburn University students to ignore a fever and hope that it goes away on its own. But visiting a local urgent care in Auburn, even if you aren’t very concerned, can be important for getting a proper diagnosis, and it helps reduce the spread of illnesses.
Urgent care clinics in Auburn like Mills Urgent Care can prescribe any necessary medications, give treatment advice, and provide a doctor’s note for excused absences from classes. For students who are living away from home, urgent care is also a great way to get the necessary care without having to visit the emergency room or find a new primary care provider.
How Urgent Care Can Help
Urgent care can provide quick evaluation when needed, with no appointment required. Many urgent care clinics in Auburn offer walk-in appointments for your convenience as well.
Depending on your symptoms, urgent cares in Auburn can offer:
- Physical examinations
- Rapid testing for Covid, flu, strep, and RSV
- Urinalysis
- Blood work (when appropriate)
- On-site X-rays if pneumonia or other condition is suspected
- Prescriptions for medications when needed
Visiting an urgent care clinic can help you get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment advice or medication, which is important for a quick recovery and peace of mind.
Mills Urgent Care: Auburn’s Urgent Care & Walk-in Clinic
If you are in the Auburn area and are considering seeking medical care for a fever, Mills Urgent Care can help you! We are a family-oriented practice with two convenient locations in the Auburn area, and we’re ready to provide quality and personalized care for you. Check out our services to learn more about how we can help you, or schedule an appointment today!