When Should I Get Tested for a Respiratory Illness?

RSV is the newest respiratory illness that is on the rise in our area. While it’s certainly not as severe as COVID-19, more and more children are getting sick with it due to more people being out and about without masks.

Our AFC Urgent Care Memphis team explains what RSV is. Read on to get the facts.

What Should I Know About RSV?

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. It’s also on the rise in the Southern U.S., according to the CDC.

Additionally, people infected with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days. However, some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms for up to four weeks. We’ve listed the common symptoms of RSV below.

Common RSV Symptoms

  • Congested or runny nose
  • Dry cough
  • Low-grade fever
  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing
  • Headache

So Should I Get a Rapid Test for Respiratory Symptoms?

If you’re experiencing the symptoms that we’ve mentioned above, it’s worth stopping by to talk with our medical team. Many respiratory illnesses share similar symptoms, and in order to treat them effectively, you need to know what illness you’re facing.

Our AFC Urgent Care Memphis center provides molecular COVID-19 tests, flu tests and strep tests that are quick, inexpensive, reliable and don’t require an appointment! If you believe you have any one of these contagious illnesses, it’s important to consider the health-safety precautions that we’ve listed below to keep others from getting sick.

Health-Safety Precautions Before Test

  • Stay home except to get tested or for medical care.
  • Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
  • Wear a mask as advised by the CDC.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or shirt sleeve.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Avoid sharing personal items with others.

Our rapid tests show accurate results in 15 minutes or less, and you don’t need an appointment to get one at our AFC Urgent Care Memphis center. Stop by today!