Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) and Flu Care
- SAME day Appt - Evenings - Saturdays.
- Accept most insurances.
- Discount for uninsured ($90).
- Board Certified Doctor.
- Convenient Manhattan Location
*Care provided for 18 years of age and older
Recent Patient Comments
When I mentioned I needed flu treatment I was told about Walk In Clinic of NY by a co-worker. He was right about this place. Everyone there is super-cool and not rude, the place is spotless, and the service top notch. A lot of places offer flu treatment, but I won’t be going anywhere else from now on. I would recommend Walk In Clinic to everyone.
- Thomas Z.
We accept most insurances
- 1199
- Admin. Concepts
- Aetna
- Aftra Health Fund
- AliCare
- Allied Benefit
- Allstate
- Amalgamated Life
- Ameriben
- Anthem
- Assurant
- Atlantis
- Beech Street
- Benefit Concepts
- Blue Cross
- Can Assistance
- CareFirst
- CD PHP
- Celtic
- Cigna
- CISI
- Companion Life
- Consolidated
- Coventry
- Delta Health
- EBS-RMSCO
- Emblem Health
- Empire Plan
- Fallon
- First health
- FreeLancers
- Frontier International
- GEHA
- GHI
- GHMSI
- Gilsbar
- Global Excel
- Golden Rule
- Great West
- Guardian
- Harrington Health
- Hartford
- HCC medical
- Health Choice
- Health Equity
- Health plan Admin.
- Healthnet
- HPHC
- IMG
FAQs
- What is an upper respiratory infection (URI)?
- What are common causes of URIs?
- How is an URI different from the flu?
- How are upper respiratory infections and flu transmitted?
- What are the symptoms of an URI or flu?
- How are upper respiratory infections and the flu diagnosed at the Walk-in Clinic NYC?
- How will the Walk in Clinic of New York City treat an URI or the flu?
- How can the Walk-in Clinic NYC help me prevent upper respiratory infections and the flu?
- Why should I choose the Walk in Clinic to treat URIs or the flu?
- Where can I find the Walk-in Clinic of Manhattan?
What is an upper respiratory infection (URI)?
An upper respiratory infection (URI), or generally called as “the common cold / sinus infection”, occurs when there’s an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, which can affect your nose, sinuses, throat, and ears. URIs are not life-threatening and one of the most common illnesses around the world, but it can lead to complications and many missed school or work days when left untreated. In the US alone, there is an estimated 1 billion colds every year with most people having two colds per year. Upper respiratory infections normally last 3-7 days, but some symptoms may persist for up to 2 weeks. No matter how mild or severe your URI is, you can come to the Walk-in Clinic NYC and get proper treatment.
What are common causes of URIs?
Sinus infection are caused by over 200 types of viruses with the rhinovirus (nose) responsible for approximately 30 to 35 percent of adult upper respiratory infections. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot catch an upper respiratory infection by not wearing proper attire during a cold day or going outside while your hair is wet. You must come into contact with an URI virus in order to get infected, which is relatively easy with so many of them existing.
How is an URI different from the flu?
Most people use the terms upper respiratory infection (cold) and flu interchangeably when describing their illness. However, these conditions are not one in the same and its severity varies as well. URIs and the flu are both considered respiratory illnesses, but different types of viruses are responsible for each one of them. There are fewer flu viruses with the most common one being the influenza virus, while upper respiratory infections are caused by hundreds of diverse viruses. It is for this very reason that there is a flu vaccine and not a URI vaccine. In addition, flu symptoms come on quickly and are severe as opposed to the ones presented by URIs, which are relatively harmless.
How are upper respiratory infections and flu transmitted?
Both an URI and the flu are transmitted through viruses. Viruses are exceptionally contagious in nature and can be spread easily in various ways- through the air or by having direct contact with an infected person. When an upper respiratory or influenza (flu) virus is present in the air as a result of someone infected sneezing or coughing, anyone that inhales the contaminated air will cause the virus to adhere to our nasal membranes, thus making us sick. Another way to contract an URI or the flu is through direct contact with people or surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus- touching, kissing, shaking hands, holding infected cell phone, etc.
What are the symptoms of an URI or flu?
URI symptoms are usually noticeable one to three days after being in contact with the virus, develop slowly, are generally mild, and last two to three days with some instances continuing for up to two weeks. On the other hand, flu symptoms appear suddenly, are severe enough to debilitate most people, and last two to nine days. You can come to the Walk-in Clinic NYC and get immediate treatment for a simple URI or for the flu, as leaving them untreated will lead to complications such as secondary infections (i.e. ear, sinus, or throat infections).
Cold Symptoms |
Flu Symptoms |
Low grade or no fever |
High fever |
Stuffy and runny nose |
Clear or stuffy nose |
Sneezing |
Occasional sneezing |
Occasional headaches |
Always headaches |
Sore throat |
Sometimes sore throat |
Mild cough |
Cough (becoming severe over time) |
Light aches and pains |
Oftentimes severe aches and pains |
No exhaustion |
Severe exhaustion |
Mild fatigue/weakness |
Prolonged fatigue/weakness |
How are upper respiratory infections and the "sinus infection" diagnosed at the Walk-in Clinic NYC?
At the Walk-In Clinic of New York City, you will receive a thorough consultation with our board-certified doctor. Extensive review of your symptoms and its duration will be assessed to differentiate whether you have an upper respiratory infection or the flu. There are some instances where patients think that they are coming in for an URI or the flu, but might have a secondary infection such a strep throat or ear infection, all of which can be treated at our walk-in clinic. URIs and the flu are common, but without proper medical treatment, it can become very bothersome and in some cases, develop into more severe illnesses.
How will the Walk in Clinic of New York City treat an URI or the flu?
Once it has been determined by our medical doctor that you have an URI or the flu, medication will be prescribed to properly address the symptoms caused by the illness. It is important for patients to understand that there is no cure for upper respiratory infections (colds), but medication is given for supportive care and to alleviate its symptoms. A word of caution, do not take antibiotics on your own to treat URIs or the flu, as antibiotics are used to kill bacterial infections and both, URIs and the flu, are caused by viruses. You should always seek expert care. At the Walk in Clinic of Manhattan, your care does not end after your office visit, as our doctor will follow-up on your symptoms to assure that you are responding well to treatment.
How can the Walk-in Clinic NYC help me prevent upper respiratory infections and the flu?
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent URIs, but preventive methods can be taken to minimize infection such as, covering your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze, avoid contact with infected people, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash or sanitize hands thoroughly several times a day. However, there is a vaccine offered to prevent the flu. Our Walk-In Clinic NYC is ready with the most up-to-date flu vaccine available to combat different strands of the virus every season. Flu shots are covered by most, if not all insurances as part of your preventive coverage. If for some reason it isn’t covered or you don’t have insurance, we offer flu shots for just $29.
Why should I choose the Walk in Clinic to treat URIs or the flu?
You might wonder, “Why should I choose the Walk In Clinic of New York City to treat a common URI or the flu?”. Unlike other primary care physicians or walk-in clinics, we offer support to our patients every step of the way. We not only take into consideration their illness and symptoms, but also their convenience and in times like this, their ability to afford health care. We accept all major insurances and for uninsured people; the visit fee is only $98. The $98 fee will not only cover for your consultation with our board-certified doctor, cover all the necessary prescriptions needed to treat you, but even a strep throat test when needed. Our care does not end here. In the event the medication given to you does not improve your symptoms in a week or less, you can contact our walk-in clinic, speak to our doctor, and new medication will be prescribed to you at no additional cost. We also understand that URIs and the flu can develop quickly, therefore we offer same-day/next-day appointments. Walk-ins are also acceptable.
Where can I find the Walk-in Clinic of Manhattan?
Our Walk-in Clinic NYC is conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan. It is easily accessible through New York City public transportation since we are located a few blocks away from major train stations like 42nd Street (Bryant Park) and Grand Central Terminal.
Come to the Walk-In Clinic NYC and get the care you need from our board-certified doctor for an URI or the flu.