Children 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year. Kids ages 6 months to 8 years who are getting a flu vaccine for the first time, or who have had only one dose before, need 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart. The best time is September or October. Flu shots are safe for kids, and side effects are usually mild, like a sore arm or low fever.
Read more
No, the flu shot cannot give you the flu. The injected vaccine contains no live virus. The most common side effects are a sore arm, mild headache, tiredness or a low fever that usually fade within 1 to 2 days. Serious reactions are very rare. If you feel sick after a flu shot, it is usually a short-lived immune response or a different virus you caught around the same time.
Read more
A workplace flu shot program helps Northern Virginia employers cut sick days and keep teams running through flu season. Employers can send staff to PACS Urgent Care in Alexandria or Ruther Glen for walk-in flu shots, or contact our occupational health team about group options. The best time to vaccinate a team is September through November.
Read more
Remove an attached tick right away with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight up with steady pressure, then clean the area. Watch for 30 days for fever, chills, body aches, fatigue or an expanding red rash, which can be signs of Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness. See urgent care if you develop symptoms, can’t remove the tick, or the bite looks infected. Lyme disease cases have been rising in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Read more
Go to the ER for belly pain that is severe, steadily getting worse, or moves to the lower right side, especially with fever, vomiting, or pain when you walk, cough or press on it. These can be signs of appendicitis. Also go to the ER for pain with vomiting blood, black stools, a rigid belly, pregnancy or chest pain. Urgent care can evaluate milder pain from stomach bugs, constipation, gas, reflux or a possible UTI.
Read more
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) usually causes cold-like symptoms, but it can cause serious breathing problems in babies, young children and adults 60 and older. Get urgent care for a cough with fever, wheezing, poor feeding or worsening symptoms. Go to the ER or call 911 for fast or labored breathing, pauses in breathing, blue or gray lips, dehydration, or a very sleepy baby. PACS offers walk-in RSV testing and treatment.
Read more
Many urgent care centers stay open on holidays, sometimes with shorter hours. PACS Urgent Care is normally open 7 days a week: Alexandria 8 AM to 8 PM, and Ruther Glen weekdays 8 AM to 8 PM and weekends 9 AM to 5 PM. Holiday hours can differ, so call (571) 656-8838 or check our website before heading in on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, July 4th or other major holidays. For emergencies, call 911.
Read more
PACS Urgent Care provides occupational health services for employers in Northern Virginia and Caroline County, including pre-employment physicals, DOT/CDL exams, drug screening with DOT-certified collection, work injury treatment, workers’ comp care and return-to-work evaluations. Services are walk-in, 7 days a week at our Alexandria clinic, with a second location in Ruther Glen.
Read more
A freestanding ER is a full emergency department that isn’t attached to a hospital. It’s open 24/7 and charges emergency room prices, including ER copays and facility fees. An urgent care center treats non-emergency illnesses and injuries for much less, but isn’t open 24/7 and can’t handle major emergencies. Several freestanding ERs operate in Northern Virginia, so check the sign carefully: if it says “Emergency,” expect ER-level bills.
Read more
If you’re visiting Alexandria or the Washington, DC area and get sick or hurt, PACS Urgent Care at 3481 N Beauregard St, Alexandria, VA 22302 accepts walk-ins 7 days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM. Bring a photo ID and your insurance card. If your plan isn’t accepted, self-pay prices are posted online, starting at $139 for a routine visit.
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.
