Back-to-School Illness Trends in Edmond, Moore, Midwest City & Choctaw
As school starts back up across the Oklahoma City metro, our urgent care clinics in Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, and Choctaw are seeing the familiar seasonal shift. “Right now, we’re noticing an increase in general upper respiratory illnesses — things like colds, flu, COVID, and RSV,” says Dr. Harrison, our medical director for the Oklahoma region.
While these illnesses can show up year-round, they tend to spread more quickly once classrooms, buses, and sports teams are in full swing. National CDC data shows COVID activity rising in much of the country, with flu and RSV typically peaking later in the fall and winter. This back-to-school bump is the time to pay extra attention to symptoms and get checked promptly if you’re feeling under the weather.
COVID Symptoms in Oklahoma City Area
Unlike some parts of the country reporting extremely painful sore throats with the current COVID variant, Dr. Harrison notes that here in Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, and Choctaw, we’re not seeing that as a dominant symptom. Most patients are coming in with more typical respiratory signs — cough, congestion, fatigue, mild sore throat, and sometimes fever.
Even without the “razorblade throat” description, COVID can still hit hard, especially for people with underlying conditions. That’s why it’s important to get tested early, even if your symptoms feel mild at first.
Why Early Testing Matters
Early testing allows our urgent care providers to give you the right treatment as quickly as possible:
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Flu or COVID: If recommended by your provider, antivirals are most effective when started early, which can shorten your illness and reduce complications.
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RSV: Supportive care can help high-risk groups — especially young children and older adults — recover faster and avoid more serious symptoms.
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Colds: While viral colds don’t require antivirals, an accurate diagnosis helps prevent unnecessary antibiotic use and ensures you’re managing symptoms the right way.
Walk into any of our Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, or Choctaw urgent care locations for same-day testing and treatment so you can get back to feeling your best.
