Services
Cold Treatment
Near Aventura
When a cold will not let go, a physician can tell you whether it is just a cold or something more. Walk-in evaluation, rapid flu and strep testing, and same-day care, seven days a week.
9445 Harding Ave, Surfside. About 15 minutes from central Aventura.
Joint Commission AccreditedThe only one in Florida
Most colds do not need urgent care. Some do.
A common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that runs its course in 7 to 10 days. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter relief are usually all you need. A physician visit earns its place when the picture does not fit a simple cold: a high fever, symptoms that worsen after day five, facial pressure with thick discharge past ten days, or trouble breathing. TrufaMED is a physician-led walk-in clinic about 15 minutes from Aventura, where a rapid test can tell a cold from the flu, COVID, strep, or a sinus infection in minutes, not guesses.
Cold, flu, COVID, or a sinus infection?
They share symptoms but call for very different treatment. The patterns below help, and a rapid test removes the guesswork. When it matters, a 15-minute combo test for flu, COVID, RSV, and strep gives your physician a definitive answer.
| Feature | ViralCommon Cold | ViralInfluenza | ViralCOVID-19 | Often bacterialSinus Infection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onset | Gradual, 1 to 3 days | Abrupt, within hours | Gradual to abrupt | After a cold, day 10 or later |
| Fever | Rare or mild | High, common (101 to 104°F) | Frequent, variable | Low-grade possible |
| Body aches | Mild | Severe, a hallmark | Common, variable | Facial and sinus pressure |
| Nasal symptoms | Runny, watery, congested | Present but secondary | Variable congestion | Thick, colored, purulent |
| Cough | Mild, dry | Dry, prominent | Dry, can be severe | Post-nasal drip cough |
| Loss of smell or taste | Rare | Rare | Common | Reduced from congestion |
| Fatigue | Mild | Severe, sudden | Can be severe, prolonged | Moderate |
| Typical duration | 7 to 10 days | 5 to 7 days | 5 to 14 days | 10 days to several weeks |
| Treatment | Supportive only | Antiviral if started early | Antiviral if high-risk | Antibiotics if bacterial |
Cross-reference: flu treatment · sinus infection treatment · bronchitis care.
Red-flag symptoms that warrant a visit
A cold that follows its normal course rarely needs a doctor. These signs suggest it may be more than a cold, and they are worth a same-day evaluation.
Fever of 103°F or higher
A high or persistent fever points away from a simple cold and toward flu, a bacterial infection, or pneumonia. It deserves a same-day physician evaluation.
Chest pain or trouble breathing
Shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest pain can signal pneumonia or a lower respiratory infection. For severe breathing difficulty or chest pain, call 911.
Getting worse after day five
Colds should be improving by day five or six. Symptoms that intensify instead often mean a secondary bacterial infection has set in.
Facial pressure with thick discharge
Thick colored discharge plus facial pain and pressure lasting beyond ten days suggests acute bacterial sinusitis rather than a cold.
Severe or lingering fatigue
Exhaustion that keeps you in bed is more typical of influenza than a cold. A rapid flu test can confirm it and open the window for antiviral treatment.
You are higher risk
Infants, older adults, pregnancy, and chronic heart, lung, or immune conditions raise the stakes. When in doubt in these groups, be seen early rather than waiting.
For chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, confusion, or bluish lips, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. TrufaMED treats non-life-threatening conditions.
A clear answer, the same day
A cold visit at TrufaMED is built to rule out the conditions that actually need treatment, then send you home with a plan. Most patients are in and out the same day.
Physician examination
A board-certified physician reviews your timeline and symptoms and examines your ears, throat, sinuses, and lungs to gauge how serious the picture is.
Rapid respiratory panel
When indicated, a single swab tests for flu A and B, COVID-19, RSV, and strep, with results in about 15 minutes instead of a clinical guess.
Pulse oximetry and vitals
We check oxygen saturation, temperature, and heart and breathing rates to catch a lower respiratory infection early when it matters.
A plan you leave with
Clear next steps, supportive-care guidance, and any prescription sent to your pharmacy. If imaging is needed, on-site digital X-ray is in the same building.
Treatment matched to the diagnosis
The right treatment depends on what is actually causing your symptoms. For a true cold, that often means supportive care done well. For flu, COVID, or a bacterial complication, it means the specific therapy that helps.
Supportive care guidance
For an uncomplicated cold, your physician outlines the rest, hydration, and over-the-counter measures that genuinely shorten misery, and what to watch for at home.
Antiviral therapy
If a rapid test confirms flu or COVID, an antiviral started within the early window can shorten the illness and lower the risk of complications in higher-risk patients.
Antibiotics, only when earned
Antibiotics do nothing for a viral cold. We prescribe them only for a confirmed bacterial infection: strep throat, bacterial sinusitis, or bacterial bronchitis.
IV hydration
For patients struggling to keep fluids down or running dehydrated, on-site IV hydration restores fluids quickly under physician supervision.
The cold is viral. Antibiotics are for bacteria.
Some clinics hand out an antibiotic for any cold to move patients along. That is not care, and it is not harmless. Withholding antibiotics when they will not help is a deliberate part of good medicine.
A cold (viral)
Caused by rhinovirus and other respiratory viruses. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, so they will not shorten your cold or prevent complications. They do carry real risk: stomach upset, C. diff infection, allergic reactions, and antibiotic resistance. The right answer is supportive care and a clear plan for when to return.
A bacterial complication
A minority of colds lead to a bacterial infection: strep throat, acute bacterial sinusitis, or bacterial bronchitis. These are confirmed by exam and testing, and they do call for a targeted antibiotic. Our physicians prescribe one only once a bacterial cause is established, so the treatment fits the diagnosis.
This restraint is part of why TrufaMED holds Joint Commission accreditation, the same standard applied to major hospitals.
Secondary infections and pediatric colds
Most colds resolve cleanly. A few turn into a secondary bacterial infection, and children get more colds than adults without needing a visit for each one. Here is how we think about both.
Bacterial sinusitis
Suspected when facial pressure and thick discharge persist past ten days, or symptoms improve then worsen. Confirmed by exam, then treated with a targeted antibiotic. See sinus infection care.
Acute bronchitis
A cough that lingers with chest congestion after a cold. Most cases are viral and resolve on their own, but we evaluate for the minority that need treatment. See bronchitis care.
Community-acquired pneumonia
Worsening cough with fever, breathlessness, or chest pain warrants a chest X-ray. On-site digital X-ray means we can confirm or rule it out the same day.
Pediatric colds
Children average several colds a year, and most need only comfort and time. We see children six months and up, and help you know which symptoms in a child do warrant a visit.
Clear pricing, no surprise bills
We are in-network with most major plans. No insurance? A self-pay cold visit starts at $195 for a physician evaluation, with testing priced up front, so you know what to expect before you are seen.
Starting prices; final cost depends on the services you need. We accept most major plans plus HSA and FSA cards. Call (305) 537-6396 to verify your coverage.
Led by board-certified physicians
A board-certified physician leads every shift. For a respiratory illness, that means someone trained to catch the difference between a cold and pneumonia before it becomes a problem.
Dr. Naidoo leads the clinical team and brings deep adult and pediatric emergency experience to respiratory care, where telling a routine cold from an early pneumonia is exactly the judgment that matters. He completed his emergency medicine residency and board certification at Brookdale Hospital in New York.
Dr. Gedalia is TrufaMED’s Chief Medical Officer and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He sets the clinical protocols across all TrufaMED services, including the antibiotic-stewardship standard that governs how respiratory infections are evaluated and treated here.
Cold questions, answered honestly
What patients across Aventura, Sunny Isles, and Surfside ask most before coming in.
Is the common cold something I need to see a doctor for?
Most colds resolve on their own in 7 to 10 days and do not need a visit. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter relief are usually enough. A physician visit helps when symptoms point to something more than a cold: a high fever, symptoms that worsen after day five instead of improving, facial pressure and thick colored discharge past ten days, trouble breathing, or chest pain. If you are unsure whether it is just a cold, a same-day visit and a rapid test can settle it quickly.
How do I know if I have a cold or the flu?
Flu usually starts abruptly, often within a few hours, with a high fever, severe body aches, and sudden exhaustion. A cold comes on gradually over a day or two and is dominated by a runny nose, congestion, and a sore throat, with little or no fever. If your symptoms suggest flu, come in for a rapid flu test. Starting an antiviral within 48 hours of flu onset can shorten the illness, which is why it is worth being seen early.
Do antibiotics treat a cold?
No. The common cold is caused by viruses, and antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Large clinical trials confirm antibiotics do not shorten a cold or reduce complications, and they carry real risks: stomach upset, C. diff infection, allergic reactions, and antibiotic resistance. TrufaMED prescribes antibiotics only for confirmed bacterial infections such as strep throat, bacterial sinusitis, or bacterial bronchitis. That restraint protects you, not just public health.
How long does a common cold last?
A typical cold lasts 7 to 10 days. Symptoms usually peak around days two and three with the worst congestion, sore throat, and fatigue, then ease off. A lingering dry cough can last 2 to 3 weeks in some people from residual airway irritation, which is normal. If your cold is not following that pattern, particularly if it worsens after day five or drags past ten days without improving, it is worth a physician evaluation.
When should I be seen sooner rather than later?
Come in promptly for a fever above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, symptoms that worsen after day five, thick colored discharge with facial pressure lasting more than ten days, or severe fatigue that keeps you in bed. These can signal flu, pneumonia, or a secondary bacterial infection rather than a simple cold. For chest pain or serious difficulty breathing, treat it as an emergency and call 911.
Why do I still have a cough weeks after my cold cleared?
A cough that lingers 3 to 8 weeks after a cold is called a post-viral cough. The infection leaves your airways temporarily sensitive, so the cough reflex stays triggered. It is very common and usually resolves on its own. See a physician if the cough is severe, brings up discolored phlegm, comes with fever or shortness of breath, or lasts beyond eight weeks, so we can rule out pertussis, reactive airway disease, reflux, or a bacterial infection.
Does Vitamin C or zinc actually help a cold?
The evidence is modest. Daily Vitamin C does not prevent colds in most people but may shorten one slightly when taken consistently. Zinc lozenges started within 24 hours of the first symptoms may trim a cold by a day or two. Both are reasonable low-risk supportive measures, not treatments. Avoid zinc nasal sprays, which have been linked to lasting loss of smell, and keep oral zinc within recommended doses.
Can I fly with a cold?
Flying with a mild cold is generally safe for otherwise healthy adults. The main issue is ear pressure: congestion can make it hard for your ears to equalize on takeoff and landing, which is uncomfortable but not dangerous. A decongestant or saline spray beforehand can help. Do not fly with a high fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms that look like the flu. If you have a trip coming up and are not sure, a quick physician visit can clear it up.
Does TrufaMED accept insurance for a cold visit?
Yes. We are in-network with most major commercial plans, including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Oscar Health (urgent care), and Medicare. An urgent care visit for cold or respiratory symptoms is a covered service under most plans. We do not accept () or . HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and self-pay options are available for uninsured patients. Call (305) 537-6396 to verify your specific plan before your visit.
Where is TrufaMED relative to Aventura, and do I need an appointment?
We are at 9445 Harding Ave in Surfside, about 15 minutes from central Aventura, with most patients reaching us in 12 to 18 minutes on local roads with no highway. No appointment is needed: walk in any day during open hours, or pre-register online to speed up check-in. We are open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM, and our team speaks eight languages, including Spanish for the Aventura community.
Close to Aventura, no highway needed
TrufaMED is at 9445 Harding Ave in Surfside, about 15 minutes from central Aventura. Most Aventura patients reach us in 12 to 18 minutes on local roads. Our team speaks eight languages, including Spanish for the Aventura community.
What patients say
Best clinic ever
Excellent. Attentive clean
The staff is very nice and courteous
Very nice receptionist
Best place I’ve been to by far great service
The staff are amazing, from front desk, registration, nurse , the Dr. A mean the facility very clean, conftuble, I'll give them 150% plus on everything and all. Thank you so very much
Care grounded in recognized authorities
Diagnosis and treatment follow guidance from national health authorities and accreditation standards.
Find the right care
Respiratory & related
Flu Treatment Sinus Infection Bronchitis Care Strep Throat COVID / Flu / RSV TestingLocation and hours
Address
TrufaMED Urgent Care
9445 Harding Ave
Surfside, FL 33154
About 15 minutes from central Aventura.
Hours
Monday–Friday 9 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 11 AM – 11 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 8 PM
Walk in anytime during open hours, or pre-register online for faster check-in.
Contact
Phone (305) 537-6396
WhatsApp +1 (305) 842-9801
Email [email protected]
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. TrufaMED is urgent care, not an emergency room.
Do not guess. Get a physician’s answer.
Walk in today at 9445 Harding Ave, about 15 minutes from Aventura. A board-certified physician, rapid testing, and same-day treatment, open seven days a week.
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