If you’ve noticed more coughs, sore throats, and “it feels like a cold… but worse” symptoms
lately, you’re not imagining it. COVID-19 is still circulating alongside flu, RSV, and other
respiratory viruses. The good news is that we have clearer guidance than ever on what to do
when you’re sick, better access to testing, and effective treatments for people at higher risk of
complications.
At Magnolia Family Urgent Care & Primary Care in Ocala, we focus on what matters most: fast
answers, practical guidance, and a plan that fits your family—whether you need a same-day
test, symptom relief, or evaluation for antiviral treatment. We’re open 7 days a week with on-site
lab testing, and you can walk in or book online.
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What’s “new” about COVID right now?
1) COVID symptoms keep evolving (and can mimic colds, allergies, or flu)
The CDC’s current symptom list still includes the “classic” respiratory symptoms, but many
people now present with cold-like congestion, sore throat, fatigue, and headache. The CDC
notes symptoms can change with variants and vary by vaccination status and prior infection.
Common possible symptoms include:
● Fever or chills
● Cough
● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
● Sore throat
● Congestion or runny nose
● New loss of taste or smell (still possible, often less prominent than early in the
pandemic)
● Fatigue, body aches, headache
● Nausea/vomiting or diarrhea
Kids may look different: sometimes they mainly have runny nose, cough, fever, or decreased
appetite/energy—similar to other viruses. If your child is breathing fast, working harder to
breathe, unusually sleepy, dehydrated, or you’re worried, it’s worth being seen the same day.
2) Transmission: the basics are unchanged—close contact + shared air still
matter
COVID spreads efficiently in indoor spaces, especially with prolonged close contact, poor
ventilation, and crowding. That’s why the prevention “stack” still works: staying home when sick,
masking in close indoor contact during the highest-risk period, improving ventilation (“cleaner
air”), and testing when you’ll be around others. CDC’s current prevention guidance emphasizes
these core strategies across respiratory viruses (COVID, flu, RSV).
3) Isolation guidance is simpler now—and based on how you feel, not a
fixed day-count
CDC updated and unified its recommendations for respiratory viruses. The key points are:
● Stay home and away from others when you are sick.
● Return to normal activities when BOTH are true for at least 24 hours:
1. symptoms are improving overall, and
2. if you had a fever, it’s gone without fever-reducing medicine.
● For the next 5 days after returning, take extra precautions to protect others—especially
people at higher risk. CDC lists options such as wearing a well-fitted mask, improving
ventilation/cleaner air, hygiene, distancing, and/or testing when you’ll be around people
indoors.
This approach recognizes a real-world problem: many people don’t know exactly which virus
they have at first—and the steps to reduce spread are very similar.
When should you get tested for COVID?
Testing is most useful when it changes what you do next:
● You need to know if it’s COVID to protect higher-risk family members, coworkers, or
classmates.
● You’re at higher risk and might qualify for antiviral treatment—because treatment works
best when started early.
● You’re deciding when it’s safer to return to work/school or visit others.
● You have symptoms and want clarity (COVID vs flu vs strep vs something else).
Timing matters (so your test doesn’t mislead you)
Antigen (rapid) tests are convenient and fast, but can miss early infection. If you test negative
early—especially with symptoms—CDC encourages repeat testing to improve accuracy.
Molecular tests (NAAT/PCR) tend to be more sensitive, especially early on, but availability and
turnaround vary by setting.
Practical rule of thumb:
● If you have symptoms and a rapid test is negative, consider repeating in 24–48 hours,
especially before being around vulnerable people (and take precautions meanwhile).
CDC’s “added precautions” toolkit includes testing as one option during the higher-risk
window.
COVID testing at Magnolia: what we can do in one visit
We know patients often come in asking: “Is it COVID, flu, or strep?” That’s a smart question—
because treatment, return-to-work/school decisions, and household precautions can differ.
Magnolia offers on-site lab testing and is listed as providing COVID testing and common in-clinic
tests like strep testing, along with additional lab services.
Depending on your symptoms and exam, we can help choose the right testing approach and
interpret results in context (your timeline, exposure risk, and medical history). And if you’re
positive and high-risk, we can move quickly to discuss treatment options—because timing is
everything.
COVID treatment in 2026: what actually helps (and who
should get it)
The big idea: Treatment is risk-based and time-sensitive
Most healthy children and adults recover with supportive care. But for people at higher risk of
severe illness, early antiviral treatment can lower the chance of hospitalization and severe
outcomes—especially when started within the recommended time window. CDC and NIH both
emphasize starting treatment as soon as possible after symptom onset.
CDC highlights that treatment should be started within 5–7 days of symptom onset depending
on the medication option.
Who is “higher risk”?The main outpatient antiviral options (what the guidelines
say)
1) Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir): the usual first choice for eligible higher-risk patients
CDC’s outpatient clinical care guidance describes ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir as an oral
antiviral taken twice daily for 5 days, started as soon as possible and within 5 days of symptom
onset, and notes the authorized/approved age/weight criteria.
Important note: Paxlovid has significant drug–drug interactions for some medications, and not
everyone can take it. This is why a clinician review matters. The NIH COVID-19 Treatment
Guidelines include detailed considerations on interactions and appropriate use.
IDSA also emphasizes nirmatrelvir/ritonavir as a preferred option for ambulatory patients with
mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at risk for progression, when appropriate.
2) Remdesivir (IV): a strong alternative when Paxlovid isn’t appropriate
CDC’s outpatient guidance includes remdesivir as an option for certain outpatients, and the NIH
guidelines describe remdesivir as an antiviral option in nonhospitalized patients when used early
(within the recommended timeframe).
Some public health guidance describes outpatient remdesivir as a 3-day IV course started as
soon as possible (typically within 7 days of symptom onset).
3) Molnupiravir: generally a backup option for adults when other options
aren’t suitable
NIH and IDSA discussions commonly place molnupiravir as an alternative when preferred
treatments can’t be used (for example due to interactions or access).
What about antibiotics, steroids, vitamins, and “immune
boosters”?
This is where misinformation spreads fast, so here’s what the major clinical guidance supports:
● Antibiotics do not treat viruses like COVID. They are only used if there is concern for a
bacterial infection (like certain pneumonias, ear infections, sinus infections, etc.) based
on exam and clinical judgment.
● Steroids are not routinely recommended for mild outpatient COVID unless there’s
another clear medical reason (for example, an asthma exacerbation plan). Steroids are
primarily used in hospitalized patients who need oxygen—this distinction is reflected in
NIH treatment guidance discussions.
● Supplements (vitamin C, zinc, etc.) are not a substitute for antivirals in a high-risk
patient, and evidence is mixed; what matters most is early evaluation if you might qualify
for antiviral therapy.
At Magnolia, we focus on what is evidence-based and individualized: symptom control,
hydration, monitoring, and quick escalation to antiviral evaluation when indicated.
What we recommend if you’re sick: practical “do this
today” guidance
CDC’s current “Precautions When Sick” guidance is built around two phases: (1) staying home
while actively sick, and (2) added precautions for 5 days after returning to activities.
Step 1: While you’re sick (stay home + reduce spread at home)
● Stay home and away from others as much as possible.
● Use cleaner-air steps if possible (open windows, improve ventilation, use filters).
● Wash hands and cover coughs/sneezes.
● If you must be around household members, consider wearing a well-fitting mask—
especially around older adults, infants, or anyone immunocompromised. CDC lists
masking as one of the added precautions to reduce spread.
Step 2: Returning to work/school/normal life (the “24-hour improving” rule)
You can return when:
● Your symptoms are improving overall for at least 24 hours, and
● If you had fever, it’s gone for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing meds.
Step 3: The next 5 days (protect others while your contagiousness risk
tapers)
For the next 5 days, CDC recommends added precautions such as:
● Wear a well-fitted mask around others (especially indoors)
● Improve ventilation/cleaner air
● Keep distance when feasible
● Consider testing before indoor gatherings or visiting high-risk loved ones
● Extra hygiene steps
This is especially important if you’ll be around someone at higher risk for severe illness.
How Magnolia helps you recover comfortably (and safely)
When you come in for COVID concerns, our goal is not just a test result—it’s a plan.
What we do during your visit
1. Listen to the timeline (symptom start date matters for treatment eligibility).
2. Assess severity and risk factors (who needs antivirals vs supportive care).
3. Test strategically (COVID and other in-clinic tests as appropriate). Magnolia provides onsite lab testing and is listed for COVID testing and common tests like strep.
4. Treat symptoms (fever control, hydration guidance, nausea support when appropriate,
and evaluation for complications).
5. Discuss return-to-work/school guidance using current CDC respiratory virus
recommendations.
6. Escalate quickly if you may qualify for antivirals, because these work best when started
early.
What we can help you decide (real-life questions)
● “I tested negative—do I still need to stay home?”
● “Is it COVID or flu? Does it change what meds I should take?”
● “My parent is high-risk—when is it safer to visit?”
● “Do I qualify for Paxlovid? What about interactions with my meds?”
● “How long should my child stay home from school?” (CDC’s symptom-improvement +
24-hour fever-free rule, plus added precautions after returning, is the current foundation.)
A quick guide for families: when to come in right away
Consider same-day evaluation if:
● Symptoms are getting worse instead of better after a few days
● You have significant shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or severe weakness
● You’re higher risk (older adults, immunocompromised, multiple medical conditions) and
may qualify for antivirals—because the treatment window is short.
● Your child is not drinking well, seems dehydrated, or is unusually sleepy/irritable
FAQ: Common questions we hear every day
“If I feel better, am I still contagious?”
You may still be contagious even after symptoms improve. That’s why CDC recommends added
precautions for the next 5 days after returning to normal activities.
“Should I wear a mask?”
CDC includes wearing a well-fitted mask as one of the key “added precautions” for the 5-day
period after you resume activities, especially to protect people at higher risk.
“Can I go back to work/school if my test is still positive?”
CDC’s current public guidance is not based on a fixed isolation day-count; it’s based on
symptoms improving and being fever-free for 24 hours, plus added precautions for 5 days.
Testing can be used as an additional layer (especially before being around others indoors), but
the core guidance is symptom-based.
“Do I need Paxlovid?”
Only some people benefit—mainly those at higher risk of progressing to severe disease, and it
must be started early. Eligibility also depends on medication interactions and kidney/liver
considerations, which the NIH guidelines detail.
We’re here for you (and we keep it simple)
COVID is still with us—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you’re sick, we’ll help you
figure out:
● what it most likely is,
● what testing makes sense today,
● whether you qualify for antivirals,
● how to protect your family and coworkers,
● and when it’s safe to get back to normal.
Book Now
Sources (evidence-based references)
● CDC — Symptoms of COVID-19 (updated Mar 10, 2025).
● CDC — Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick (updated Aug 18,
2025).
● CDC Newsroom — Updated respiratory virus guidance (stay home until improving +
fever-free 24 hours; added precautions) (released Mar 1, 2024).
● CDC — Clinical Care for Outpatients (COVID-19 outpatient treatment options, timing,
Paxlovid details) (updated Jun 11, 2025).
● NIH — COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines (Therapeutic Management of Nonhospitalized
Adults; interactions; treatment windows).
● IDSA — Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19
(outpatient antiviral priorities).
● CDC — People with Certain Medical Conditions and COVID-19 (risk factors; importance
of early treatment window).
● Magnolia Family Urgent Care website — Clinic services, on-site lab & X-ray, scheduling.
● Solv listing — Magnolia Family Urgent Care: Book online; COVID testing and lab test
categories.
● Image credit — CDC illustration via Wikimedia Commons.