If you get sick right before or during holiday travel, the safest choice is usually to delay the trip if you have a fever, are vomiting, or have a contagious illness like the flu, COVID or strep. If you’re visiting Alexandria or Caroline County and get sick or hurt while you’re here, you don’t need to be a regular patient to be seen. PACS Urgent Care welcomes walk-ins, including out-of-town visitors, 7 days a week.
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Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning causes headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and confusion, symptoms that are easy to mistake for the flu. Clues that point to CO instead: no fever, several people or pets in the home feeling sick at the same time, and feeling better when you leave the house. If you suspect CO, get everyone outside into fresh air right away and call 911. Don’t go back inside until the fire department says it’s safe.
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Croup is a common viral infection that swells the upper airway in young children, usually ages 6 months to 3 years. It causes a loud, barking cough that sounds like a seal, often starting suddenly at night. Most cases are mild and get better in 3 to 5 days. Bring your child to urgent care if the cough is getting worse, they make a harsh, high-pitched sound when breathing in while calm, or they have a fever. Call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe, drooling, can’t speak or cry, or their lips turn blue.
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If you have money left in a health flexible spending account (FSA), you may lose it if you don’t spend it by your plan’s deadline, which is often December 31. Some plans let you carry over up to $680 into 2027 or give you a short grace period, so check with your employer. Health savings account (HSA) money doesn’t expire. Either way, the end of the year is a smart time to take care of visits you’ve been putting off, like physicals, lab work and nagging health issues. Urgent care visits are qualified medical expenses, so you can usually pay with your FSA or HSA card.
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Winter brings its own set of injuries: back strains from shoveling snow, wrist and ankle injuries from slipping on ice, and bumps and bruises from sledding. Most of these can be treated at urgent care, where PACS offers on-site X-ray to check for fractures. But chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness while shoveling can be a heart attack. Stop and call 911.
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A cough that hangs on for 2 to 3 weeks after the flu or a cold is common and usually harmless. It’s called a post-viral cough. But a cough that keeps getting worse, comes with a new or returning fever, shortness of breath, or chest pain could be bronchitis, walking pneumonia or another problem that needs a visit. At PACS Urgent Care, we can listen to your lungs and do a chest X-ray on site the same day.
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Virginia has reported 180 measles cases in 2026 as of mid-October, up from just 5 cases in all of 2025, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Measles starts like a bad cold with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash a few days later. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing it. If you think you or your child may have measles, call before you go to any clinic or ER so staff can protect other patients.
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Most sore throats are caused by viruses and get better on their own. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics. The only way to know which one you have is a test. At PACS Urgent Care in Alexandria and Ruther Glen, a rapid strep test gives results during your visit, and if it’s positive, your provider can prescribe antibiotics right away. No appointment needed.
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Flu season in Virginia usually runs from October through May. Cases typically start rising in November and peak between December and February. During the 2025–2026 season, respiratory illness in Virginia peaked in late December, with influenza A the most common strain and young children having the highest rate of ER visits. The best time to get your flu shot is now, before cases climb.
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Yes. In Virginia, a provider can assess flu symptoms by video and, when appropriate, prescribe an antiviral like Tamiflu and send it to your pharmacy. Telehealth works well for adults and older kids with typical flu symptoms in the first 48 hours. You will need an in-person visit for a flu test, breathing treatment, IV fluids or an X-ray. PACS telemedicine visits are $75 for self-pay patients.
Read moreTo make your visit as smooth and convenient as possible, we offer online check-in—an easy way to reserve your place in line, similar to joining a waitlist. You’ll receive real-time updates on your estimated wait time, giving you added flexibility and convenience while planning your visit.
Although we do our best to remain on schedule, occasional delays may occur, especially during unexpected increases in walk-in patients. We appreciate your understanding, as these delays allow us to provide every patient with the attentive, quality care they deserve—including you.
Thank you for your patience, your trust, and for choosing our team for your care. We look forward to serving you soon.
