What Causes an Upper Respiratory Infection?
Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are primarily caused by viral pathogens that invade the mucous membranes of the nasal passages, sinuses, pharynx, or larynx. While rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and influenza viruses account for the vast majority of cases, bacterial infections—such as Group A Streptococcus or Streptococcus pneumoniae—can also trigger URIs or develop as secondary infections following an […]
Can the Flu Cause Vomiting or Diarrhea?
Yes, the flu (influenza) can cause vomiting and diarrhea, though it is primarily a viral respiratory illness rather than a stomach infection. While gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, stomach upset, and loose stools are far more common in young children with influenza, adults can also experience digestive distress alongside classic flu symptoms like high fever, body […]
What Causes a Sore Throat and Cough Together?
A sore throat and cough together are most commonly caused by viral upper respiratory infections—such as the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19—where localized pharyngeal inflammation and postnasal drip trigger coughing reflexes. However, this dual combination of symptoms can also stem from bacterial throat infections, acute bronchitis, sinus infections, seasonal allergies, or acid reflux (GERD). At […]
Why Am I Coughing Up Mucus?
Coughing up mucus (phlegm) happens when your body’s respiratory system produces excess fluid to trap, neutralize, and expel irritants, allergens, or infectious pathogens from your airways. While a productive cough is a natural protective reflex designed to clear your lungs and throat, coughing up thick, yellow, green, or persistent phlegm often indicates an underlying viral […]
What Causes a Dry Cough That Will Not Go Away?
A persistent dry cough is most commonly caused by lingering airway hypersensitivity following a viral illness (such as a cold, flu, or COVID-19), chronic postnasal drip, cough-variant asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), environmental allergies, or ACE inhibitor blood pressure medications. When a tickling or hacking cough lasts longer than 3 to 4 weeks, it is […]
Can You Have the Flu Without a Fever?
Yes, you can have the flu without a fever. While a sudden high temperature is a classic symptom of influenza, many individuals—especially older adults, young children, and people taking fever-reducing medications—never develop a elevated temperature, or experience only a mild, low-grade fever during their illness. At Sahara West Urgent Care, our providers offer fast diagnostic […]
How Can You Tell If You Have the Flu or COVID-19?
You cannot definitively tell whether you have COVID-19 or the flu based on symptoms alone because both viral respiratory illnesses share overlapping signs like high fever, cough, extreme fatigue, sore throat, and body aches. While a sudden loss of taste or smell is more strongly associated with COVID-19, diagnostic viral testing is the only accurate […]
How Can You Tell the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu?
You can tell the difference between a cold and the flu by evaluating how rapidly symptoms appear, the severity of fever and body aches, and the overall intensity of your illness. While both are viral respiratory infections, flu symptoms typically strike abruptly and severely within 1 to 4 days, whereas common cold symptoms develop gradually […]
What Are the Common Symptoms of an Upper Respiratory Infection?
Common symptoms of an upper respiratory infection (URI) affect the nose, throat, sinuses, and larynx, typically developing gradually over 1 to 3 days after exposure to a virus or bacteria. While symptoms can vary depending on whether the infection stems from the common cold, sinusitis, pharyngitis, or laryngitis, most URIs share a distinct set of […]
What Are the First Symptoms of the Flu?
Early flu symptoms typically appear 1 to 4 days after exposure to the influenza virus and often start suddenly. Unlike a standard common cold, which develops gradually over several days, influenza symptoms strike rapidly and with significant intensity, making sudden fatigue, a spike in body temperature, and body aches the primary initial signs of infection. […]