Have you been experiencing any of the following symptoms: chills, cough, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell? These can be signs of COVID-19 infection, and they should not be taken lightly. But some of these symptoms can also be the result of an influenza infection, which can also be serious. Freedom Urgent Care is a walk-in clinic in Harker Heights and Killeen, TX, that provides rapid COVID-19 testing services. Learn more about the similarities and differences between COVID-19 and the flu. And find out how you can get rapid COVID-19 testing at Freedom Urgent Care.
COVID-19 and the Flu
COVID-19 and the flu do share some similarities, but they are not the same. Sometimes the symptoms won’t always present themselves, but other times they can be quite severe. Learn more about some of the things these viruses have in common as well as how they’re different from each other.
Symptom Similarities
COVID-19 and flu infections can share many of the same symptoms. Both can result in cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, head congestion, achiness, and headache. An infected person may experience some, all, or none of these symptoms. And vomiting and diarrhea can also occur, but these are generally considered more common in children than adults.
Differences
Flu viruses can cause mild to severe illness in infected individuals. However, COVID-19 is believed to cause more serious illnesses for some individuals. In addition, COVID-19 can also bring two additional symptoms: loss of taste and loss of smell. And, although both COVID-19 and the flu are considered to be highly contagious, COVID-19 has been observed to have more super spreading events.
How to Get Rapid COVID-19 Testing at Freedom Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic in Central Texas
If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, it’s natural to want to know if you’ve contracted the virus as soon as possible. And the same is also true if you begin to develop some of the symptoms associated with COVID-19. Fortunately, Freedom Urgent Care provides rapid COVID-19 testing that can be done in less than 15 minutes. Here’s how you can find out if you may qualify for a rapid COVID-19 test.
- Check-In Online. You can check-in online to a Freedom Urgent Care location near you. However, when you show up for your scheduled visit, please be sure to stay in your vehicle. From there, call the phone number for the urgent care location to let staff know you have arrived.
- Virtual Visit. If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 but aren’t exhibiting symptoms, a virtual visit could be the best option. You can meet virtually with a Freedom Urgent Care healthcare provider. After that, it can be determined if an in-person visit should be the next step.
- Walk In/Call Ahead. Another option is to walk in or call ahead to meet with a healthcare provider. But, online check-in is preferred if you believe you may have or may have been exposed to COVID-19. When you arrive, please call before going inside. You may also need to check-in online once you arrive.
If you do not qualify for a rapid COVID-19 test, you may be provided with a standard COVID-19 test. However, it can take up to seven days to receive results from these testing kits. In addition, we can also provide COVID-19 PCR testing for those who need to travel.
If You Believe You May Have COVID-19, Don’t Wait
When it comes to COVID-19, knowing if you have the virus sooner can offer advantages, including peace of mind. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, or if you’re exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, check-in with Freedom Urgent Care. We can provide rapid testing and discuss the next steps to take in your care.