Back-to-School Illness Trends in Mt. Pleasant, Longview & Marshall
As students in Mt. Pleasant, Longview, and Marshall settle into the school year, our Healthcare Express Urgent Care providers say the seasonal shift in illnesses is well underway. According to Dr. Caltrider, the return to classrooms, football practice, and crowded buses has created “the perfect environment for upper respiratory viruses to spread quickly.”
We’re seeing a rise in common back-to-school ailments: colds, flu, COVID, strep throat, and RSV. In some cases, these illnesses can overlap, making it even more important to test rather than guess what’s causing symptoms.
Provider Perspectives: What We’re Seeing
Dr. Spencer Reynolds adds that sore throats are a frequent reason for visits right now, though severity can vary. Some patients come in with mild throat discomfort and congestion, while others have symptoms intense enough to keep them home from work or school.
Dr. Caltrider emphasizes that while sore throats get a lot of attention, cough, fever, and body aches are also common. “This time of year, it’s not always possible to tell the difference between COVID, strep, and flu without a test,” he says.
Why Testing & Treating Early Matters
Whether you’re in Mt. Pleasant, Longview, or Marshall, the benefits of early testing are clear:
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Strep throat: Quick antibiotics can reduce pain and prevent complications.
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COVID & flu: Antivirals like Paxlovid or Tamiflu are most effective when started promptly, often lessening the severity of symptoms.
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RSV & colds: Supportive care can shorten recovery time and keep symptoms from worsening.
Our East Texas urgent care clinics offer same-day walk-in testing so you can get answers fast and start the right treatment right away.
Need same-day care? Visit our Mt. Pleasant, Longview, or Marshall urgent care locations — walk in or book online for quick evaluation, testing, and treatment.
