Acute, life-threatening symptoms? Call 144 directly.
Condition
Cold and flu: symptoms and when to come in
- a runny or blocked nose, a scratchy throat, a cough
- mild headache and aching limbs
- a raised temperature
Orientation
How urgent is it?
When in doubt, always choose the higher level.
Drink enough, rest and sleep. Watch the course and note your temperature.
Assessment and treatment on site. You are welcome without an appointment, too.
Book an appointmentor simply walk in
- breathlessness or pain on breathing
- high fever over several days, or fever that returns after improvement
- a marked deterioration in how you feel overall
- confusion or persistent drowsiness
- a chronic heart or lung condition, pregnancy, or a weakened immune system
If your symptoms are acute and life-threatening, call 144. aprioris is not an emergency department.
Overview
What you should know
Typical courses of viral respiratory illness, and when an assessment helps.
Colds are caused by viruses and usually clear up on their own. Flu often starts abruptly and hits the body harder. The boundaries are blurred; what matters is the course, how you feel overall and whether there are warning signs.
One address for your concern
Book an appointment or come by during opening hours. And if you are unsure whether we are the right address: come anyway; we will work it out with you.
Symptoms
Typical signs
Typical signs
- a runny or blocked nose, a scratchy throat, a cough
- mild headache and aching limbs
- a raised temperature
- with flu: abrupt onset, fever, feeling markedly unwell, muscle aches, chills
Telling them apart
Cold or flu?
| Cold | Flu | |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Usually gradual, often starting with a scratchy throat or runny nose | Often abrupt |
| Fever | A raised temperature | Fever |
| Aches | Mild headache and aching limbs | Muscle aches and chills |
| Overall | Cough, sore throat and a blocked nose dominate | Feeling markedly unwell |
What happens
What happens at aprioris
Our aim: to resolve your concern directly on site. Assessment, treatment and, where needed, a prescription or certificate. If specialist care is needed, we refer you on.
We listen to your concern, examine you carefully and put the findings in context. Then we discuss what happens next with you.
Every case is reviewed and signed off by a physician, either during your visit or shortly after. Anything that needs specialist care, we refer on, prioritised by urgency and with a written report. aprioris does not dispense medication itself.
Treatment
Treatment overview
What you can do yourself
- drink enough
- rest and sleep
- humid air can ease the mucous membranes
- watch the course and note your temperature
Services
Related services
Locations
Where we treat this
Available at 10 locations, with an appointment or as a walk-in.
AmriswilBadenBern ChristoffelHerisauLucerne NeustadtWinterthur MarktgasseZurich AlbisriederplatzZurich LimmatplatzZurich MorgentalZurich Paradeplatz
Booking
Book an appointment online
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment for this?
Not necessarily. You are welcome without booking during opening hours. If you book an appointment, you are seen at the agreed time. You can book online or by calling the practice.
What does the assessment cost?
aprioris is a medical practice licensed by the canton. Services covered by mandatory health insurance are billed accordingly. Your deductible and co-payment apply, as in any medical practice. Preventive services are paid for privately; prices are shown with each service.
What should I bring?
Your health insurance card. If you take medication, a current medication list or the packaging helps. For anything to do with vaccination, please bring your vaccination record.
When should I go straight to emergency care?
Breathlessness, chest pain, confusion or blue lips: call 144.