Posted on Thursday, October 8, 2026 9:33 pm
Flu season usually waits until the weather turns cold. This year, it didn't wait. Our Atlanta, TX clinic is already seeing a lot of flu and upper respiratory infections, along with some COVID, bronchitis, and pneumonia. With the seasons changing and temperatures cooling off, here's what's going around and when it's time to come see us.
What Our Atlanta Clinic Is Seeing Right Now
We sat down with Teresa Harmon, one of our paramedics at HealthCARE Express in Atlanta, to find out what's been coming through the doors. Here's what she's seeing most:
• Upper respiratory infections — the most common thing coming in right now
• Flu — already here, and earlier than many people expect
• COVID — a few cases, and easy to mistake for a cold or flu
• Bronchitis and pneumonia — showing up occasionally, often after a cold that never fully cleared
“We're seeing a lot of upper respiratory infections and a lot of flu right now. … The weather's changing, and this is what happens this time of year. … Get in here so we can get you taken care of and get you better faster.”
— Teresa Harmon, Paramedic, HealthCARE Express Atlanta
Flu Symptoms in Atlanta, TX: How to Tell It Apart
These illnesses overlap, which is why so many people guess wrong about what they have. A few patterns help:
Flu
Flu tends to hit fast. You feel fine in the morning and miserable by afternoon — fever, chills, body aches, headache, and exhaustion. If that sounds familiar, don't wait it out. Flu antiviral medication works best when it's started within the first 48 hours of symptoms.
COVID
COVID can look almost identical to flu or a cold — fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, fatigue. Some people also lose their sense of taste or smell. The only way to know for sure is a test.
Upper respiratory infections
These usually start slower: stuffy nose, sinus pressure, sore throat, and a cough. Most are viral and improve within a week to ten days. If symptoms get worse after starting to improve, or drag on past ten days, it's time to be seen.
Bronchitis and pneumonia
Bronchitis is the cough that won't quit. It often follows a cold or flu and settles into the chest, with a deep, hacking cough that can bring up mucus. The cough can hang on for a few weeks, but wheezing, shortness of breath, or a fever that comes back are signs to come in. Pneumonia is less common but more serious — watch for high fever, chills, chest pain when you breathe, or shortness of breath.
When to Come In — and When to Go to the ER
Walk in to HealthCARE Express if you have:
• A fever with body aches that came on suddenly
• A cough that has lasted more than a week, or keeps getting worse
• Sinus pain and congestion that hasn’t improved in ten days
• Wheezing or a tight, rattling chest
• Symptoms that improved, then came back worse
• A known flu or COVID exposure and new symptoms
Go to the ER or call 911 for severe trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
Why Cooler Weather Brings More Respiratory Illness
When temperatures drop, people spend more time indoors and closer together — at school, work, church, and home. That makes it easier for viruses to pass from person to person. Kids carry germs home from class, and one cough in the house can quickly become four. Getting checked early can help you recover faster and keep it from spreading to the rest of the family.
Getting Seen at Our Atlanta, TX Urgent Care
You don't need an appointment and you don't need to wait days for your regular doctor. Walk in to our Atlanta urgent care clinic and tell the front desk what's going on. Our team will evaluate your symptoms, test when it's needed, and send you home with a plan — or a prescription — the same visit. Patients in nearby Queen City, Linden, and Bloomburg are welcome too.
What to expect at your visit
Check in at the front desk, then a member of our team will take your vitals and ask about your symptoms. A provider will examine you, run any tests that make sense, and walk you through next steps before you leave.
Walk into any HealthCARE Express location — no appointment needed. Find your nearest clinic →
