Rock Beats

Is this a COLD or the FLU?
If you're feeling sick, head to RockCare

It’s that time of year. Cold and flu season! It’s starts with a simple sneeze, and then before you know it, you’re full-on-can’t-get-outta-bed-even-to-change-the-channel sick. But is it a killer cold or the flu? Sometimes it’s hard to tell, but the information below should help!

COLD FLU
Symptoms start slowly Symptoms start suddenly
Sore Throat Sore Throat
Sneezing Body Aches/Muscle Aches
Nasal Congestion Nasal Congestion and/or Runny Nose
Hacky Cough Severe Fatigue (Tiredness)
Rarely fever/chills Fever/Chills, Headaches
Cough (mild or severe)
Occasional Vomiting/Diarrhea

FLU FACTS

  • The flu is a respiratory virus that is very contagious.
  • You can spread the flu 1 day BEFORE your symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after you are sick.
  • Kids can spread the flu over 7 days.
  • Most people with the flu have mild symptoms and do not need antiviral medications for the flu.
  • Antibiotics do not work for viruses like the cold and flu.
  • Antivirals (such as Tamiflu) may be prescribed to help shorten the duration of flu symptoms.
  • It is not recommended to test for the flu during peak season as no flu test is 100% accurate.

How to Prevent the Flu?

  • #1 Obtain your Flu (Influenza) vaccine.
  • Good handwashing. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Stay away from crowds during flu season and stay away from sick contacts.
  • Use Clorox Wipes & Lysol to disinfect countertops, rooms, beds when close contacts are sick.
  • Clean/disinfect surfaces before eating and working each day.
  • Do not share hand towels or drink/eat after others.

How to Treat the Flu?

  • Stay home if you have flu symptoms.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Cover your mouth when coughing/sneezing.
  • Take over-the-counter medications for your symptoms such as Nyquil/Dayquil.
  • If you have high blood pressure, discuss what over-the-counter meds are best with the Pharmacist.

Can I have Pneumonia or a Sinus Infection with the Flu?
If you are not better in 5-7 days, or your symptoms worsen suddenly (fever that continues to be >100.4), seek medical care right away as you may have developed a bacterial infection and/or pneumonia.

Sinus pressure and congestion can occur with the flu. If your symptoms persist past 7-10 days, you may have developed a bacterial infection that requires an antibiotic.


The City of Round Rock has an on-site medical clinic called RockCare providing wellness and urgent care services.  The great news is that if you are enrolled in the City of Round Rock Health Care Plan, you do not have a co-payment or a deductible when visiting the clinic, treatment is free.

The onsite clinic is located at 901 Round Rock Avenue, Suite 300. The clinic is administered by HealthStat.

Hours of Operation

  • 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday
  • 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday

Walk-ins are seen on a first come, first served basis, the following days/times:

  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Monday through Friday
  • 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday

The last walk-in’s for the morning and afternoon hours will be seen at 7:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., respectively. This allows time for the patient to be seen and the staff to prepare for the scheduled appointments.  If you come in after 7:45 a.m. or after 1:45 p.m., you will need to schedule an appointment.

Making an Appointment

To make an appointment call 866-959-9355.  Once you are an established patient, you will have access to the patient portal where you can access your information and schedule appointments online.