Local Doctor Shares How to Care for Winter Illnesses and When to Seek Medical Attention

RIVERBEND - As the winter weather continues, rates of flu, common cold, RSV, strep throat and COVID-19 are climbing. A local doctor shares how to take care of yourself and when to seek medical attention.

Dr. Charlotte Albinson, BJC Medical Group Medical Director, Convenient Care and Virtual Care, explained that people are spending more time indoors, which makes it easier for these illnesses to spread. She noted that there are options like convenient care and virtual care, so patients can receive medical attention without a trip to the emergency room.

“It’s a big convenience factor,” Albinson said. “We want our patients to be able to get the best care that they can when they need it. Sometimes these are timely things where we really need to know right away if we’re starting to get sick. That’s why we feel like it’s important to offer medical advice on a different rate, on a wide range of platforms.”

Albinson noted that some of these illnesses look similar. The flu and the common cold, for example, are both viruses and can “act the same.”

But while the common cold comes on more gradually and feels less severe, a patient with the flu will likely experience a more sudden onset of fever, chills and aches, sometimes with vomiting or diarrhea. It can be difficult to distinguish between these illnesses; either way, Albinson recommends seeking medical care if symptoms get too intense.

“The best way to figure out what’s going on with you is probably, when you start feeling sick, to seek medical attention if you’re really feeling bad,” she explained. “If you’re someone who has what we call an immunocompromising condition, like if you have diabetes or asthma or you take steroids chronically, then you should go to the doctor really as soon as you start to feel sick. For the rest of us who are healthy in general, signs to look for that mean you really need to go are things like chest pain, severe abdominal pain, blacking out, uncontrollable vomiting, those types of things.”

Some of these symptoms are enough to send people to the emergency room. While Albinson encourages patients to veer on the side of caution, she noted there are other options for patients who need care but aren’t severe enough to warrant the ER.

BJC Convenient Care in Edwardsville allows patients of all ages to come in person with or without an appointment. Virtual care is for patients ages 12 and up. Through a computer or smartphone, you can meet with a doctor, who can prescribe medications and “get you on your way to feeling better,” Albinson said.

The best way to handle a winter illness? Prevent it altogether, if possible.

Albinson advises people to wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, especially after using the restroom or before meals. Masks are also helpful, as most of these illnesses are spread through respiratory droplets. A mask makes it more difficult to ingest these droplets.

It’s also not too late to get your flu shot. Though most practitioners encourage patients to get a flu shot during the autumn months, Albinson noted that flu season will continue through March or April, so there’s still time for a flu shot to be effective. It takes two weeks for a flu vaccine to reach full effectiveness.

Additionally, consistent habits like getting enough sleep and eating nutritional foods can boost your immune system and go a long way toward keeping you healthy.

No matter if you come down with the flu, cold, RSV, strep throat, COVID-19, or something else, Albinson urges you to take care of yourself and seek medical treatment if needed.

“The biggest thing I want people to know is, if you start feeling like you need to get medical attention, go ahead and get it,” she said. “If your body is telling you you’re sick, then please come into one of our centers. You can do virtual care. You can go to the emergency department if you are feeling really bad. Please let us help you.”

More like this:

Local Physician Assistant Shares Spring Health Tips

Apr 15, 2026

Local Woman Shares Alpha-Gal Syndrome Story, Advocates for More Education

2 days ago

100 Years Ago: Flu Epidemic Hits Alton Catholic Orphanage

Mar 22, 2026

IDPH Urges Flu Shots, Other Preventive Measures as Influenza Rates Climb Statewide

Jan 5, 2026

Excessive Drinking Is A Slippery Slope

Apr 17, 2026