Cold and flu symptoms? Urgent care might be your best first step

Timing rarely works in your favor when an illness strikes. It might start with a scratchy throat before a big social gathering, a fever on a busy workday or a cough that lingers long after it should have cleared. No matter the symptom, when you need fast, reliable high-quality care built around your needs and schedule, urgent care may be the best choice. MD Now® urgent care delivers high-quality, physician-led care for common illnesses, helping you get answers and treatment without the long waits you may face elsewhere.

Below are some common illness-related reasons to visit urgent care and why MD Now is one of the most trusted options for care when it matters most.

Respiratory illnesses and sore throat

Colds, flu and upper respiratory infections can hit hard, causing symptoms like congestion, coughs, sore throat and body aches. MD Now offers rapid flu, COVID-19 and strep testing on-site, so you get quick answers and treatment when needed. For sore throats that accompany a fever or make swallowing difficult, our providers perform rapid strep tests and throat cultures to determine if antibiotics are necessary — helping you recover faster with the right care.

Ear, sinus pressure and persistent cough

Ear pain, sinus pressure and lingering coughs are additional common reasons to visit urgent care. These symptoms can signal infections or conditions like bronchitis or asthma flare-ups. Our physician-led teams evaluate your symptoms thoroughly and provide treatment options — from inhalers to symptom relief plans — so you can breathe easier and feel better sooner.

Stomach illnesses and dehydration

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can escalate quickly and lead to dehydration faster than you expect, or even indicate more significant issues. Your MD Now care team will evaluate your condition, determine likely cause and recommend the right next steps to keep you safe and hydrated. If a higher level of care is needed, we can direct you seamlessly through the HCA Florida Healthcare network.

Physician-led, high-quality healthcare

MD Now takes pride in offering care that’s both fast and clinically advanced. Our clinics are led by physicians and staffed by medical professionals trained to evaluate and treat a wide range of illnesses. You receive attentive care that focuses on both effectiveness and comfort.

MD Now urgent care clinics are accredited by the Urgent Care Association, a distinction that recognizes excellence in safety, quality and patient experience. These accreditations reflect our commitment to providing care that meets rigorous national standards.

Part of the HCA Florida Healthcare network

As part of the HCA Florida Healthcare network, MD Now connects you to one of the state’s most comprehensive healthcare systems. That means:

• If you need follow-up testing you can access a broad range of services
• If specialty care is required you have a direct pathway
• Your visit stays connected within a coordinated network

This integration helps you move smoothly from urgent care to any additional care you may need, giving you confidence and continuity when you’re not feeling your best.

Convenience that fits your life

When you’re sick, you shouldn’t have to navigate long waits, complicated processes or uncertainty. MD Now is built to deliver fast, reliable care for everyday illnesses with a streamlined experience from start to finish. We understand how important it is to receive care on your schedule, and we make it easy to find a location close to home, work or school. We are open seven days a week with extended hours so you can get care when you need it. Our convenient Web Check-In® lets you save your spot and wait from wherever you are. We also offer virtual visits, giving you the option to start your care remotely before coming in if necessary.

So what illnesses does urgent care treat? Whether it’s the flu, an ear infection, a persistent cough, a stomach bug or something else that just doesn’t feel right, our teams are ready to evaluate your symptoms, provide treatment and guide you toward recovery. We’re here to help you feel your best again and get back to the life you love.

About MD Now® urgent care

MD Now® urgent care is Florida’s largest urgent care operator with 100+ state-of-the-art clinics conveniently located across the state of Florida. MD Now urgent care’s physician-led team provides high-quality healthcare through a comprehensive lineup of urgent care and occupational health services during convenient hours. MD Now urgent care is proud to be affiliated with HCA Florida Healthcare. For more information, visit the MD Now website.