Advanced medical care for your comfort and convenience
You’ve had colds before, but this time it’s particularly bad. You can’t stop coughing, your throat feels like it’s on fire, and you can hardly concentrate. So driving to the urgent care or local medical facility for treatment is not an ideal option, especially if you’re already suffering from other chronic health issues or are homebound. DispatchHealth understands. Upper respiratory infections (URIs) can be severe, consigning you to prolonged bed rest and simply disrupting your life. That’s why we provide in-home treatment for URIs. Our medical team can be at your doorstep within a couple of hours after you contact us. We come equipped with all the supplies necessary to treat these types of infections, and can provide pain medications or IV fluids, if necessary, to keep you as comfortable as possible while you recover. With DispatchHealth, receiving expert medical care is always convenient because we’re available during the day, in the evening, and on weekends – 365 days a year.
If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
When to seek medical attention
A URI affects the nasal passages and throat. Adults get two or three URIs per year, but children may experience it more because their immune systems are still developing. Furthermore, adults with health issues that affect their immune systems are at an even higher risk of developing a serious infection. URI symptoms include:
- Coughing
- A sore or scratchy throat
- Excess mucus
- Nasal congestion
- A runny nose
- Facial pain or pressure
- Sneezing
- A mild fever
A URI can last anywhere between 3 and 14 days, and people with healthy immune systems usually recover from URIs on their own. However, if symptoms seem to be worsening instead of improving, or if your URI is accompanied by shortness of breath, wheezing, or a fever higher than 101.3 degrees F, you should seek medical care.
If left untreated
Treatment for URIs generally involves reducing discomfort through rest, heavy fluid intake, and the use of over-the-counter medications, but if left untreated a URI can develop into a more serious condition, such as:
- A sinus infection
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- An acute ear infection
- Acute sinusitis
If you need safe, effective treatment for a URI, or any of the above conditions, turn to DispatchHealth. We treat people of all ages and accept all major insurance plans. To request care for non-life-threatening conditions, contact us by phone, mobile app, or through our website.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Phil Mitchell MD, MS on October 3rd, 2019