Back-to-School Illness Trends in Texarkana, Atlanta & De Queen
As the school year kicks off across Texarkana, Atlanta, TX, and De Queen, AR, our Healthcare Express Urgent Care clinics are seeing a steady rise in sick visits. Kids are returning to classrooms, sports, and group activities — and the timing couldn’t be more predictable for the spread of respiratory illnesses.
“We’re seeing sore throats more often this month, and in one case, a mother of four was in tears because hers hurt so badly,” Dr. Spencer Reynolds
That spike in sore throats is part of a larger increase in upper respiratory viruses, including flu, COVID, the common cold, strep throat, and even a bit of RSV.
Sore Throat Symptoms & COVID in the Texarkana Region
While sore throats can be caused by many things — from strep bacteria to viral infections — our clinics in Texarkana, Atlanta, and De Queen have noticed more patients this month with painful throat symptoms that require testing to pinpoint the cause.
Some patients assume they have strep, but our rapid testing sometimes reveals COVID or flu instead. This is why we emphasize not guessing based on symptoms alone — the right diagnosis determines the right treatment.
Why Early Testing & Treatment Matters
Whether you visit us in Texarkana, Atlanta, or De Queen, early testing can make all the difference:
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Strep throat: Antibiotics started early relieve pain faster and prevent complications.
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Flu or COVID: Antivirals work best when started in the first few days of symptoms, often reducing severity and duration.
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RSV & colds: Supportive care can help you recover more comfortably and avoid worsening symptoms — especially important for children and older adults.
Our clinics in Atlanta, TX, De Queen, AR, and Texarkana (Richmond Road, 7th Street, and Arkansas Blvd), offer same-day walk-in testing for strep, flu, RSV, and COVID, so you can know what you’re dealing with and get back to feeling better quickly.
