5 fall symptoms you shouldn’t “wait out”
Cold, flu, COVID and RSV season can bring a wave of common fall illnesses that feel mild at first but can turn into something more serious.
While many fall symptoms improve with rest, fluids and time, some warning signs shouldn't be ignored.
These five warning signs from what's going around this fall deserve prompt medical attention, such as at an urgent care center.
1. Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Feeling short of breath or like it's hard to catch your breath, don't assume it's "just a bad cold" or try to push through it.
This can signal:
- Pneumonia
- RSV
- Asthma flare-ups
- Bronchitis
- Flu complications
- Other respiratory infections
"Shortness of breath is never something patients should try to push through at home," says Jennifer Campbell, DO, a Main Line Health urgent care physician. "If breathing feels difficult or labored, it's important to be seen by a medical professional."
Get medical care promptly if you have these shortness of breath symptoms:
- Wheezing or chest tightness
- Labored or "fast" breathing
- Shortness of breath with fever or lightheadedness
Who should get help sooner
The following groups should get care as soon as possible for labored breathing:
- Children
- Older adults
- Anyone with lung or heart conditions
2. A fever that won't go away
A fever is a common part of many fall illnesses. It is a sign that our immune system is working to fight a virus. But it shouldn't linger or return after a period of improving symptoms. Very high fevers that last more than five days can also be a sign your body is fighting something more serious.
Watch for:
- A fever lasting more than four to five days
- A fever that returns after a period of symptom improvement
- Temperatures above 103°F
- Fever with confusion, dehydration or severe fatigue
Fevers in kids
In children, fever combined with low energy, poor appetite or rapid breathing should be evaluated promptly.
3. Chest pain or severe pressure
Chest discomfort during illness should never be ignored. While coughing can make your chest feel sore, more serious symptoms may include:
- Chest pain when at rest
- Persistent pressure or heaviness in your chest
- Chest tightness with shortness of breath
These may be signs of:
- Pneumonia or a severe respiratory infection
- Heart-related concerns
- Complications from the flu or COVID
"Many fall viruses can place extra stress on the body," says Dr. Campbell. "Chest pain or pressure should always be taken seriously."
Seek care at your nearest emergency department (ED) immediately for severe chest pain or chest pain with difficulty breathing.
Who should get help sooner
Chest pain in the following groups always require urgent medical care:
- Older adults
- People with underlying conditions, such as:
- Heart disease
- Lung disease (asthma, COPD)
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
4. Signs of dehydration
Dehydration can happen faster than most people realize in the fall. Illnesses that reduce your appetite or cause vomiting, diarrhea or fever are particularly likely to deplete you of vital fluids.
Common fall dehydration symptoms include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Dry mouth
- Very dark urine
- Extreme fatigue
- Urinating less often
Who should get help sooner
Young children and older adults are especially vulnerable to dehydration.
5. Symptoms that suddenly get worse
Most viruses run their course in five to six days with a gradual improvement then resolution of symptoms. One of the biggest red flags during fall illness season is feeling better... then rapidly worse again.
This pattern of getting sick again may indicate a secondary infection, such as:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Sinus or ear infection
Watch out for:
- A cough that intensifies
- Fever returning or increasing
- Worsening fatigue
- Breathing becomes more difficult
- Intensifying sinus pressure or ear pain
When to visit urgent care for fall symptoms
Urgent care is a convenient option for non-life-threatening fall illnesses, such as:
- Flu symptoms
- Persistent or high fever
- Sinus congestion and cough that lasts more than six days
- Dehydration
- RSV symptoms
- Ear pain or infections
- Sinus infections
- Sore throats and strep
Getting evaluated early may help prevent more serious complications and get you feeling better sooner.
Many common fall illnesses can be managed at home, but some symptoms are your body's way of signaling that you need medical attention.
If something feels off or is getting worse, it's always better to get checked sooner rather than later.
Next steps
If you're experiencing non-life-threatening symptoms, virtually jump in line and join the waitlist at one of our Main Line Health urgent care centers.
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Why can a fall illness feel worse?
Colder months often bring a surge in respiratory illnesses because people spend more time indoors. This makes it easier for viruses like the flu, RSV and COVID to spread and why symptoms can escalate quickly, especially for:
- Children
- Older adults
- People with asthma or chronic conditions
How can I reduce my risk this fall?
As Dr. Campbell reminds us, "Return to school means the return of colds, strep, mononucleosis (mono) and the GI bug every year so hand washing is always important!" Take it from the expert and keep you and your loved ones safe by properly washing your hands every day, but especially in the fall.
These additional simple steps can help prevent risk of fall illnesses:
- Stay up to date on recommended vaccines, especially flu, COVID and RSV
- Get plenty of rest
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
When should I go to urgent care for a fever?
You should get prompt treatment at an urgent care center if you have a fever that:
- Lasts more than three days
- Comes back after it went away
- Is higher than 103°F
- Includes confusion
- Includes dehydration
- Includes severe fatigue
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