Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an upper respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. While most people who are infected will experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover on their own, some will become seriously ill and require urgent medical care. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, or cancer have a significantly higher risk of becoming severely ill.
Common symptoms of coronavirus include cough, congestion, body aches, and fever. However, some people may not experience any symptoms, including fever, particularly in the first few days of infection.
Early symptoms of COVID-19 can vary widely from person to person, may be mild at first, and then worsen over the next 5-7 days. If you’re experiencing any combination of the following symptoms (even mild ones), it’s important to call your doctor or visit your local urgent care center to avoid medical complications, like pneumonia:
COVID-19 shares symptoms with many other conditions, so it can be difficult to tell them apart without a test. If you’re feeling ill or have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, visit Coastal Urgent Care of Ruston for Rapid COVID testing. We currently offer the COVID viral rapid test 7 days a week to confirm if you are currently infected with the coronavirus. Rapid test results are typically available on the same day.
We also offer the COVID-19 antibody test which looks for the body’s response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s a blood test that determines whether you’ve previously had the disease and does not determine whether you currently have the disease. This test is not used to diagnose the virus.
Most people who develop COVID-19 do not require medical care. However, if you’re experiencing severe symptoms, or symptoms seem to be worsening rapidly, visit your nearest urgent care center or emergency room.
Warning signs of a severe infection include:
Visit Coastal Urgent Care of Ruston for the urgent care services you and your family need for illness or injury. We offer high-quality, compassionate, and affordable care for colds, flu, fever, allergies, sore throat, ear pain, and several other medical conditions.
We welcome walk-in appointments 7 days a week.