Cold or Flu, but Your Doctor Can’t See You

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. This article is based on personal experience and the opinions of the writer(s). No information in this article may be taken as a substitute for personalized advice from an appropriately licensed healthcare professional.

Happy Thursday, everyone. As we progress deeper into the colder months, we are already seeing increased hospitalizations for upper respiratory illnesses. The last time I was on the floor, we had more than one flu isolation room up and running. This just drives home more the need to talk about what to do when we feel like we need to see our doctors for these upper respiratory illnesses (URI), but we can’t get an appointment

Look, we’ve definitely all been there. We healthcare professionals also all take our turns being patients, too, and I’ve yet to get a free pass to skip the waiting just because I’m a nurse. So, what do we do when we feel awful—achy, congested, maybe feverish—and decide it’s time to call our primary care doctor for some help? But then we hear on the other end of the line: “We don’t have any appointments available today.” Grrrr! What’s the point in having doctors if they can’t see us when we’re sick right? We know our symptoms are worse than usual, and we need to know what to do, and we can’t wait much longer. Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming all too common because the shift in priorities for primary care is changing, and we’ll touch a little bit more on that topic.

So, let’s get started on what we can do when we’re under the weather and can’t get in to see our primary care physician (PCP), why this happens so often now, and how to take charge of your health in these situations.

When Should You Be Worried About Cold or Flu Symptoms?

To tell the truth, most cold or flu cases will clear up on their own with some at-home treatments and rest, but sometimes, the symptoms hit harder. It can be hard to tell if it’s just a nasty virus or something more serious, but if we know why our symptoms feel concerning—and how they’re different from our usual baseline—this can make a huge difference when we talk to our doctors.

Examples to consider:

• You’ve Got a High Fever
  A fever that’s over 103°F or doesn’t go down with meds is a red flag. It could mean you’re dealing with more than the common cold, like the flu or pneumonia.

• You’re Struggling to Breathe
  If you feel like you can’t catch your breath, you’re wheezing, or you’re experiencing pain when you breathe, it might be time to seek urgent help. These could be signs of bronchitis, asthma, or a lung infection.

• Your Symptoms Are Dragging On
  Most colds get better in about a week or so. If you’re still feeling terrible after 10 days—or if your symptoms suddenly get worse—it might be a secondary infection, like sinusitis or an ear infection.

• It’s Out of the Ordinary for You
  We all know our bodies. If you’re thinking, “This doesn’t feel like my usual cold or flu,” trust that instinct. Maybe you’ve never had a fever with a cold before, or this cough feels way more intense than usual. These are details your doctor will want to know.
  
  

Why Can’t Your Doctor See You?

If you’re wondering why it’s so difficult to see your doctor these days for an impromptu visit, you’re not alone. I think we’ve all been really frustrated by this at some point or another. And the issue is not that PCPs don’t want to see their patients. They do, and they want to care for their patients the best they are able, but a lot of things are getting in the way:

1. More Patients, Fewer Doctors
   There has been a shortage of primary care doctors for years, and it got much worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, and high turnover persists to this day. The National Institute of Health (NIH) discusses this in Job Flows Into and Out of Health Care Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic—PMC. Many doctors now are in a position where they have far more patients than they can handle, which means same-day appointments fill up fast if there are any same-day appointments at all.

2. Prioritizing Routine Care
   New models of health care have pushed PCPs to often focus more on managing chronic conditions, preventive care, and long-term health. Urgent, same-day care isn’t always built into their schedule, leaving us scrambling when we need quick help.

3. Burnout Is Real
   The pressure on doctors has skyrocketed, especially after the pandemic. It’s not just the physicians who have left medicine; it’s pretty much every healthcare professional across the board. Many clinics are understaffed, and that stress means fewer resources to support the doctor and fewer resources to devote to urgent care/ add-on visits.

4. Telehealth Is Changing Things
   Many practices now rely on telemedicine for quick consultations. This can be really convenient, especially if we’re quite sick and not up for an in-person visit. However, it’s not always a perfect substitute or preferred over an in-person visit because the provider can’t do a very thorough assessment when they can’t see us face-to-face.
   
   

How to Get the Most Out of a Call or Message to Your Doctor

Even if our doctors can’t see us in person, we shouldn’t write them off too quickly. Sometimes, a brief call to the office or a message through our patient portals (the online chart system available for patient access) can still help us figure out our next steps. Here’s where Tuesday’s tips about learning our baseline symptoms and keeping track of them come in handy:

1. Be Detailed About Your Symptoms
   Jot down what’s going on before you reach out. When did your symptoms start? Are they getting better, worse, or staying the same? Include specifics like, “I’ve had a fever for two days, and now I’m coughing and wheezing.”

2. Share What’s Normal for You
   Help the doctor understand how this illness is different. Say something like, “I usually bounce back from colds in a few days, but this one feels much worse,” or, “I don’t normally get fevers, and now I have one.”

3. List What You’ve Tried
   Mention any over-the-counter meds or home remedies you’ve used and whether they’re helping. That info can save time and guide their advice.

4. Ask Clear Questions
   Don’t be afraid to ask
   

   • Should I wait this out at home or get checked out in urgent care?

   • Are there warning signs I should watch for?

   • Do you think I need medication, like antivirals or antibiotics?

When It’s Time to Go to Urgent Care or the ER

Sometimes, we just can’t wait for a doctor to call back or fit us in. If our symptoms are really concerning, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Go to Urgent Care if:

• Your fever is sticking around (over 101°F for more than three days) or isn’t responding to meds.

• You’re dealing with sinus pain, an earache, or a sore throat with swollen glands.

• You’re feeling short of breath, even mildly.

Urgent care centers are great for non-life-threatening issues, and they often have tools like flu tests and X-rays to diagnose problems.

Head to the ER if:

• You’re having severe trouble breathing or chest pain.

• You have a high fever along with confusion, stiffness, or seizures.

• You’re dehydrated—you can’t keep fluids down, or you feel super weak and dizzy.

What If You Don’t Get a Response From Your Doctor?

It can be very stressful when we’re feeling quite sick and waiting for a reply that doesn’t come fast enough. Here are a few things I think we can do to try and stay on top of things:

• Follow Up Politely
  If it’s been a while, and we feel we can wait a bit longer, we can send another message or call the office again. Sometimes things get missed in the shuffle. Literally, a note for the doctor to call a patient might get mixed into some papers or the online patient portal may be down or not working correctly. So many things can happen.

• Use Nurse Triage Services
  Many offices have nurses who can give you advice over the phone, even if the doctor isn’t available.

• Find Alternative Care
  If we’re not getting answers and we’re feeling worse, we shouldn’t feel bad or hesitate to head to urgent care or the ER. It’s better to be safe than sorry. I give this advice knowing full well that I need to be better about taking my own advice in this matter.l I’m terrible about going to the urgent care or ER when I probably should. I have since given my family permission to insist and drag me in if they are concerned.

• Try Telemedicine
  Virtual visits can be a lifesaver when you need quick advice or a prescription. I’ve used telemedicine in the past, and it really came in handy when I developed aspiration pneumonia a couple of years ago, and there were several perks. 1) I was able to get an appointment very quickly, less than 2 hours. 2) I was able to video conference with the provider without leaving my couch. 3) My insurance provided the service through their insurance app, so it was cheaper than a regular office visit. 4) The ability to get treated quickly kept me from being hospitalized.

How to Be Ready for Future Sick Days

Getting sick is part of life. Some happy few rarely get ill, while the rest of us do battle with the cold and flu season every year. Regardless, I think we can all be a little better prepared. So here’s some ideas/suggestions:

1. Plan Ahead
   Let’s get good at knowing our doctors’ office hours, how to reach them after hours, and where the closest urgent care is.

2. Stock the Medicine Cabinet
   I believe it’s better and far more comfortable to be prepared and have essentials on hand, like a thermometer, fever reducers, throat lozenges, electrolyte drinks, etc., instead of going to the store sick after the fact. Also, a pulse oximeter ( little finger device that measures oxygen levels) can also be super helpful, or if you have a smartwatch with oxygen and heart rate reading functions.

3. Keep Your Vaccines Up to Date
   Flu, Pneumonia, RSV, and other vaccines are something to consider. Though they aren’t meant to completely prevent us from getting sick, they might just give our immune systems the boost they need to help ward off serious illness. So it’s something we should talk to our PCPs about.

Wrapping It Up

Being sick is hard enough without the added stress of not being able to see our doctors. But even when our PCPs aren’t available, there are ways to take control of the situation. Whether it’s documenting our symptoms, reaching out with clear questions, or knowing when to head to urgent care, we have options.

The most important thing is to listen to our gut instincts. If something feels off, getting checked out sooner rather than later is always better.

Let’s get through this cold and flu season together—one stuffy nose at a time!

(If you’ve been thinking of buying some basic home medical equipment, consider the ones listed below or something similar. By clicking on the affiliate links, you don't pay anymore, and a small portion of the sales made through links goes to help support this site.)

Links to Home Medical Equipment On Amazon

1. Pulse Oximeter:

   https://amzn.to/3YShv8K (I have this one in white, and I like it because it also tells me the PI% as well, which is the strength of the signal, which helps determine accuracy. Above 0.4% is good/reliable)

   Thermometer:

2. https://amzn.to/3YShv8K (Here is a link to a tympanic or ear thermometer. Feel free to look around and read reviews. I recommend these types of thermometers because they are rather accurate, easy to use, and quick. These are the thermometers of choice at my work.)

3. 3-in-1 Viral Testing Kit:

   For those who feel they need the peace of mind of knowing or are concerned about access to rapid testing when they need it. https://amzn.to/4frJfbE