ATLANTA — The number of people who are seeking out doctors for respiratory illnesses is increasing in Georgia.
Some people are taking precautions before attending family gatherings around the holidays.
“Influenza, RSV, and COVID are prevalent, prevalent this winter,” Dr. Simone Whitmore said.
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There is no shortage of people packing into urgent care centers around metro Atlanta.
People like Truman Griffin, whose symptoms sent him to an urgent care center.
“Headache, like body ache, fatigue, sore throat. It’s not good,” Griffin told Channel 2. “Sunday I started to feel it.”
On Christmas Eve before heading to Newnan to see family, he decided it was time to see the professionals.
“I went in to get tested before I saw my family for the holiday,” he said. “I don’t want to give anyone anything, especially my grandma so I just wanted to be safe. That was my goal.”
But some doctors say that might not be enough to keep your loved ones safe.
“If you are not feeling well stay home. Get on FaceTime or Skype with your family. Do not get them sick,” Whitmore said. “You could test negative today and be positive tomorrow. Stay home.”
According to the Atlanta-based CDC, COVID, flu, and RSV visits to emergency rooms are increasing.
If you’re struggling at home, there is a moment when you need to turn to urgent care of the ER.
“If you are at home and you’re having a fever that’s 101 or higher, you are feeling weak, dizzy, and just can not do any of your normal routine... you can not eat or drink as normal, you’re going to want to seek medical attention,” Whitmore said.
For Griffin, he walked away from urgent care with a negative test and also some medications he needs to help him get better.
“They gave me a steroid and they gave me some very strong Motrin,” Griffin said.
Some urgent care facilities have seen some long lines this week.
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