Cough, cold, flu, and strep throat treatment
Ages 18-64
FSA or HSA eligible
When you need it, get treatment for cough, cold, flu, and strep throat from an online physician or NP. With Optum Clinic, you can receive virtual treatment on your timetable from reputable telehealth providers at a fixed cost with no unexpected charges. Pay a fixed price; visits with insurance are not accepted. Fill your prescription at a preferred pharmacy if you are prescribed medication for cough, cold, flu, or strep throat. If you have health insurance, it might pay for the cost of the prescription drugs you take.
Quickly receive virtual care from a licenced clinician without making an appointment
Respond to a few health inquiries and make contact with a physician.
Any prescribed medication can be delivered or picked up at the pharmacy of your choice.
A fixed visitation fee is required; insurance is not accepted.
Both our policies and the law secure and protect your health data.
Typical drugs for upper respiratory infections
Based on your symptoms and medical history, your clinician will decide whether (if any) over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medication is medically appropriate for you. If you have a prescription, pick it up from the pharmacy of your choosing.
For Common Cold
OTC symptom relievers
For Flu
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
For Strep Throat
Antibiotics like penicillin
Cough suppressants like guaifenesin (Mucinex), cough syrups, cough drops, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) as well as decongestant nasal sprays like oxymetazoline (Afrin) and multi-symptom drugs like Nyquil, Dayquil, Theraflu, and Alka-Seltzer are common over-the-counter medications for colds.
Will my prescription for antibiotics be filled?
The self-limiting virus that causes the majority of cold symptoms is typically a rhinovirus. Usually, these respiratory infections clear up in a week or two on their own. Antibiotics are not used to treat common colds, which could be counterproductive. In the event that your cold virus is isolated from a subsequent bacterial infection, your physician would probably suggest over-the-counter medication to manage symptoms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which varieties of flu and cold symptoms are treated by Optum Clinic?
Commonly treated symptoms
• Cough
• Body or muscle aches
• Facial pain or pressure
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nasal congestion/runny nose
• Rash
• Shortness of breath
• Smell or taste changes
• Sore throat
• Stomach/GI symptoms (like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea)
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes
• Swollen tonsils
• Voice changes (laryngitis)
What kinds of complaints are not eligible for treatment via Optum Clinic?
The following signs could point to an urgent need for medical care:
• Feeling lightheaded or as though you could pass out; palpitations (rapid or irregular heartbeat); difficulty swallowing saliva or other liquids; mental symptoms such as disorientation
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Moderate to severe dyspnea
• Constant pressure or pain in the chest (not from coughing)
• Excruciating pain in the abdomen or tenderness when touched
Don't use Optum Clinic if any of these symptoms are present for you. Please visit an emergency room, urgent care center, or primary care physician as soon as you can.
Is Optum Clinic able to treat my sinusitis?
Yes. You can schedule an appointment via the Sinus infection (sinusitis) treatment page on Optum Health Clinic if you have sinusitis, also referred to as rhinosinusitis. Cough, cold, and flu treatment is a good place to start if you're unsure if your symptoms are due to sinusitis or something else (such as allergies, the common cold, or the flu). For more carefully monitored treatment, you should see a reputable healthcare professional, such as a primary care physician (PCP), if any of the following statements apply to you:
• You've had 3 or more sinus infections in the past year
• You've been hospitalized in the past week
• You've taken oral antibiotics in the past month
• Your sinus symptoms have returned after being treated with antibiotics
• You've had sinus symptoms for longer than a month
These experiences can make sinus infection treatment more complex.
Is it possible for me to receive ear infection treatment from Optum Clinic?
No. A primary care physician (PCP) or other qualified healthcare professional must physically inspect your ear canal if you are feeling pain or pressure in your ears. An inner ear infection may be indicated by these symptoms.
When does Tamiflu become too late?
Unless you have specific risk factors, your clinician is unlikely to give an antiviral drug such oseltamivir (Tamiflu) if your flu symptoms have persisted for more than 48 hours. When taken more than two days after the onset of flu symptoms, Tamiflu has not been shown to be beneficial for the majority of people.
How long is the flu contagious?
When all goes well, flu symptoms typically last three to seven days. However, flu can also occasionally result in pneumonia, a serious disease, or a worsening of preexisting medical disorders.
For what length of time will I spread the flu?
The first three to four days after contracting the flu are when most people are most contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, you can also spread the infection a day or more before you become ill and occasionally even up to a week or longer after.
Is Optum Clinic able to treat stomach flu patients?
You can begin a visit from the General medical care page of Optum Health Clinic to receive treatment for gastroenteritis, sometimes known as the stomach flu. Despite being referred to as the "GI" or "stomach flu" frequently, gastroenteritis is unrelated to influenza.
Adult gastroenteritis is typically brought on by an infectious virus such as the norovirus. This particular virus can cause GI symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea by attacking the stomach and intestinal tract. Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli can also cause acute gastroenteritis.
Is it possible to obtain a COVID-19 test via Optum Clinic?
No, at this moment Optum Clinic does not offer COVID-19 testing. It is imperative that you get tested as soon as possible if you suspect you have COVID-19. A positive test result is necessary for paxlovid treatment, and the drug must be provided within five days of the onset of symptoms. Positive test findings from a molecular (PCR) test or a quick home test will be accepted by your clinician. Brick-and-mortar pharmacies and grocery stores offer quick, in-home COVID-19 tests, and you can also purchase one online from any service that delivers same-day.
Can I pay for a visit or prescription drugs with my health insurance?
At this time, Optum Clinic does not accept health insurance for visits. Although we cannot promise it, you can make a claim to your insurance company for compensation. If you typically pay for your prescription drugs with insurance, you can do the same with those that are prescribed by Optum Clinic.
How is my medical information protected by Optum Clinic?
Optum Clinic complies fully with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's regulations to safeguard your health information (HIPAA). HIPAA controls the use of your medical information, including contact and payment details, by Optum Clinic and your healthcare providers. Your personal information is not and will never be sold by Optum Clinic. Visit our privacy page to learn more.