Get the Right Diagnosis and Treatment, All in One Visit
You Wake Up Feeling Awful… Now What?
You wake up feeling terrible—your throat is sore, your body aches and you have a fever. You grab a rapid test from the pharmacy, and it’s positive for the flu. Now what?
Do you need medication? Could it turn into pneumonia? What if the test missed something, and it’s strep throat or RSV?
Getting a store-bought test is easy, but the truth is—it doesn’t tell you the whole story. That’s why it’s important to go beyond just a test result and get the right care at the right time.
The Limits of a Store-Bought Test
At-home and pharmacy tests can be a helpful first step, but they have their limitations. They tell you what you have—but not how sick you are. A positive flu test doesn’t tell you if you need antivirals, steroids, or other treatments to avoid complications. Some illnesses need more than just symptom management. The flu can sometimes lead to bronchitis, pneumonia, or even secondary bacterial infections that require antibiotics or other medical intervention. False negatives happen as well. Just because your flu or COVID test is negative doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Some infections don’t show up right away, and other serious conditions can mimic flu symptoms.
"A rapid test can give you a clue about what’s going on," says Dr. Spencer Reynolds, a provider at HealthCARE Express. "But it doesn’t tell you the full picture of your health. That’s where medical expertise comes in."
What Happens If You Only Rely on a Test?
If you only go by your test result, you might miss the care you need. Here’s why:
- You might not get the right treatment. A positive flu test doesn’t tell you if you also have a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotics. You could also need steroids or an inhaler if the flu is affecting your breathing.
- You could have something more serious. Other illnesses like pneumonia, RSV, strep throat, or sinus infections can look and feel like the flu or COVID—but require completely different treatments.
- Delaying care could make recovery harder. If you wait too long, a mild illness can become more severe, leading to ER visits, breathing issues, or long recovery times.
"The sooner we evaluate a patient, the faster we can provide the right treatment," explains Dr. David Caltrider, a provider at HealthCARE Express. "Waiting too long can turn a simple illness into something much harder to manage."
Why Urgent Care Is the Better Option
Instead of guessing or waiting until you feel worse, urgent care gives you fast, expert care in just one visit.
- We Test AND Treat: If you test positive for the flu, we can prescribe antivirals. If it’s strep, you’ll get antibiotics on the spot. If it’s pneumonia, we can do an X-ray and create a personalized treatment plan.
- Fast and Convenient: No waiting days for a doctor’s appointment. At HealthCARE Express, you can walk in, get tested, and leave with a clear plan—all in one visit.
- Total Care in One Stop: You won't have to guess whether you need antibiotics, antivirals, or a different treatment. Our team will evaluate your symptoms, perform accurate testing, and ensure that you get the right treatment immediately.
"Urgent care takes the guesswork out of being sick," says Dr. Reynolds. "Instead of relying on an at-home test, we give you the complete picture—testing, diagnosis, and treatment—all in one visit."
Take Control of Your Health—Don’t Just Settle for a Test
A store-bought test is just the first step. But when you’re sick, you need more than a result—you need a plan.
At HealthCARE Express, we make it easy to get fast, reliable care—without the long wait times. Whether it’s the flu, strep, COVID, or something more serious, we’re here to help.
Walk in today or book online for fast, expert care. Your health deserves more than just a test—it deserves the right treatment, right now.
