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Cold and upper respiratory infection evaluation

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Services are available at MinuteClinic (virtual care also available) and CVS Pharmacy®

Walk-ins welcome — no appointment necessary!

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Most insurance accepted. Check your coverage or estimate the cost of your visit if you’re uninsured or prefer to pay out-of-pocket.

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Need to know more about cold and upper respiratory infection? We’ve got you covered.

What are cold and upper respiratory infections?

A runny nose, dry cough, sneezing and stuffiness are all signs of a common condition called an upper respiratory infection. The upper respiratory infection you’re probably most familiar with is the common cold.

Most upper respiratory infections, including the common cold, are caused by viruses. The viruses that cause colds and upper respiratory infections irritate the inner lining of your nose, throat and, sometimes, your sinuses. That’s why you experience a runny nose, stuffiness, sore throat or cough when you have a cold.

What symptoms can occur with cold and upper respiratory infections?

  • Dry cough
  • Low-grade fever
  • Mild body aches or fatigue
  • Nasal congestion or stuffiness
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat

You can also have these symptoms with other conditions such as the flu, allergies and bacterial infections. Most upper respiratory infections last between a few days and up to 2 weeks. They cause no lasting problems.

Be sure to let your provider know if you have other health problems or are taking medications. Some health conditions and medications make it harder for your immune system to fight off infection.

After a COVID-19 infection, some people may experience cold and upper respiratory symptoms that last weeks to months. This is sometimes called long COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome. If you’ve had COVID-19 and have new or ongoing symptoms weeks to months after your initial recovery, a MinuteClinic® provider can help.

Getting help

  1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

  2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

    If you made your appointment online:
    Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

    If you made your appointment in the clinic:
    Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

    If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
    To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.

  3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
  4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
  5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Cold and upper respiratory infections causes, symptoms and treatment

  • Many upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses. In fact, over 200 viruses can cause the symptoms of a cold. You’re more likely to suffer with an upper respiratory infection during the winter months when you spend more time indoors. Being in close contact with people who are sick also increases your risk.
  • Unfortunately, the viruses that cause upper respiratory infections are contagious, can spread easily from person to person and can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours. Viruses can also enter your nose and throat through the air when someone with an upper respiratory tract infection coughs or sneezes near you.
  • Although upper respiratory infections and colds are inconvenient and make you feel bad, they’re very common. In fact, the average adult gets 2 to 4 colds per year and children get twice as many.

FAQ subsection 2

  • Take care of yourself by eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. This helps your immune system fight viruses that cause colds and upper respiratory infections. Avoid people who are sick and wash your hands often throughout the day.
  • Smoking also increases your risk of catching a cold virus. If you smoke, do your best to stop. MinuteClinic providers can work 1-on-1 with you to build a realistic plan to quit smoking as part of the Start to Stop® smoking cessation program. Doing these things is no guarantee, but it gives you an edge when it comes to staying healthy.

FAQ subsection 3

Your MinuteClinic health care provider can discuss your symptoms and health history. They can examine you and provide you with a personalized treatment plan. They can also prescribe medication and refer you to a specialist if needed.

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IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Please visit a health care provider for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local emergency department.

 

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