older female patient wearing mask being comforted by doctor | Caldwell Urgent Care Idaho lifted its pandemic-related restrictions years ago. However, COVID continues to cast a long shadow over our community. Seasonal recurrence and outbreaks remain common, affecting Caldwell residents of every age.

Since COVID-19 can spread quickly, anyone who believes they may have contracted COVID should monitor their symptoms and stay away from other people. Even in the absence of symptoms, patients can still pass this disease on to more vulnerable friends, family members, and coworkers.

Core Medicine of Idaho, a Caldwell urgent care clinic, has been on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 from the beginning. Our experienced team of health care professionals provides a wide range of COVID-related services, from affordable rapid tests to individual care plans. 

If you think you may have COVID, walk in to our urgent care clinic in Caldwell, ID for immediate care and treatment. Walk in urgent care treatment is available today. 

Common COVID-19 Symptoms

COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that was first identified in China in 2019. Within a matter of months, COVID-19 spread to countries around the world. In the United States alone, there have been an estimated 103 million confirmed cases of COVID since 2020, causing an estimated 6.2 million hospitalizations and over a million deaths. 

COVID can be spread by touch and through the air. Anyone who has COVID-19 can spread the disease to other people, whether at home, in the office, or in a supermarket.

However, many people who are COVID-positive do not have any symptoms. Unless they take a test, they may not know that they are carrying a potentially life-threatening disease. If and when symptoms do appear, they may emerge days—or even weeks—after the initial exposure.

COVID-related symptoms vary greatly, both in type and in severity. Possible symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Fever or chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of taste or smell

Some people have reported other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While these symptoms can be worrying, they are not necessarily indicative of a life-threatening illness. Most cases of COVID can be treated at home using over-the-counter medication.

Patients who believe that they are experiencing a COVID-related medical emergency should go to urgent care immediately if they exhibit any of the following symptoms: 

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Pain or pressure in or around the chest
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty waking up or staying awake
  • Discolored skin, lips, or nail beds

These symptoms could indicate a more serious case of COVID infection. Left untreated, this disease can be deadly. 

The Importance of COVID-19 Testing

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet to declare an end to the COVID-related public health emergency. Since the pandemic reached America in January of 2020, the CDC has stressed the importance of using tests to curb the spread of COVID and ensure prompt, effective treatment.

Testing has critical, proven benefits, including the following:

Testing Can Save Lives

SARS-CoV-2 has an overall low mortality rate. However, the risk of developing serious and potentially life-threatening complications varies between demographics. People who have any of the following characteristics or conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19:

  • Older adults, especially adults over the age of 65
  • People with preexisting medical conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders
  • People who smoke
  • People who are not physically active

Since the risks of COVID-19 can be greater for some people than others, it’s important to test early. If a COVID test returns a positive result, you are in a better position to receive care or to determine if you need to self-isolate.

Testing Is Fast, Convenient, and Affordable

Viral tests look for evidence of recent exposure to COVID-19 pathogens. There are two main types of COVID tests:

  • PCR tests. A PCR test uses a special DNA-type test to confirm whether a patient has COVID-19. PCR tests are very accurate, but it can take up to three days to receive a result.
  • Antigen tests. An antigen is a substance that causes the body to produce a certain immune response. These tests use laboratory-made antibodies to instigate an immune system response. Antigen tests can return results in as little as 10-15 minutes, but they are less sensitive than PCR tests.

PCR tests and antigen tests both serve very different purposes. Core Medicine of Idaho can help you take the right test, whether you need it for work, for travel, or to make an informed decision about self-isolation. 

Covid Treatment at Our Caldwell Urgent Care Clinic

Since COVID symptoms can range in seriousness, from non-existent to clearly life-threatening, treatment decisions are often made in accordance with the severity of a patient’s symptoms.

Common COVID-related treatments include the following:

  • Over-the-counter medication. Minor cases of COVID-19 do not typically require emergency care. Your urgent care provider may recommend taking ibuprofen or other over-the-counter medications to suppress a fever or otherwise manage COVID-related symptoms. 
  • Prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration has approved several prescription medications for use in COVID care, including Remdesivir, which can help people with mild to moderate symptoms recover quicker.
  • Supplemental oxygen. Supplemental oxygen is sometimes provided to COVID patients with low oxygen levels.
  • Antiviral therapy. The FDA has approved the antiviral drug PAXLOVID, which is typically prescribed to patients at high risk for moderate to severe COVID symptoms. It must be taken in the first few days of an infection, so it's important to communicate with your doctor.

Scheduling an Urgent Care Appointment With Core Medicine of Idaho

Core Medicine of Idaho takes COVID care seriously. If you or a loved one believe that you could have been infected with COVID, our experienced team of health care professionals could help you:

  • Understand how to protect yourself and your family from the risk of further transmission
  • Get up-to-date on COVID vaccinations for the whole family
  • Take a PCR or an antigen test to confirm a suspected COVID-19 diagnosis
  • Explore your options for at-home treatment, including the possible use of prescription medication and experimental antiviral therapy

Core Medicine of Idaho follows many of the same precautions as larger hospitals but can often offer faster service and shorter wait times at a lower price.

Call Now 

Looking for a Caldwell Urgent Care? We Have You Covered:

If you need urgent care in Caldwell, Idaho we're here to help! We offer convenient, immediate care for all types of needs, including pain and injuries, sickness and fevers, stomach issues, and more. 

Core Medicine of Idaho is proud to serve patients of all ages throughout Canyon County for their urgent care and family medicine needs, including residents of Caldwell, Middleton, Nampa, Star, and the surrounding areas. We accept many forms of insurance, in addition to offering self-pay and cash options.  

You can walk into our Caldwell urgent care to be seen immediately. You don't need an appointment. Call us with any questions or concerns: 208-508-0345.