Flu Treatment for
Bay Harbor Islands

At TrufaMED in Surfside, the nearest physician-led, Joint Commission-accredited clinic to both East and West Island. We are at 9445 Harding Ave, about three to five minutes from Bay Harbor Islands: south on Kane Concourse, across the Broad Causeway, then right on Harding, roughly 1.5 miles door to door. Walk in any day of the week and a board-certified physician runs a rapid nasal swab with results in about 15 minutes, no appointment and no referral needed.

Very close. Bay Harbor Islands sits just north of Surfside, and our clinic on Harding Avenue is roughly 1.5 miles away, about a three to five minute drive from either East or West Island. From the islands you head south on Kane Concourse (96th Street), cross the Broad Causeway, and turn right onto Harding. When you are sick with the flu, that short trip matters.

The flu usually hits suddenly, with high fever, body aches, chills, headache, and exhaustion. A cold builds gradually and stays milder, with a runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat. COVID overlaps with both and can add loss of taste or smell. Symptoms alone cannot tell them apart reliably, so we run a rapid swab. Results come back in about 15 minutes, and we can test for flu, COVID, strep, and RSV from the same swab.

A self-pay flu visit starts at $195 for a physician evaluation, and a rapid flu test starts at $60. We price the test and any imaging up front, so you know what to expect before you are seen. We also accept most major insurance plans. Call (305) 537-6396 to verify your coverage, or check in online to spend less time at the front desk.

Not always. Many healthy adults recover with rest, fluids, and medication for fever and aches. An antiviral such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) works best when it is started within about 48 hours of your first symptoms, and it matters most for high-risk patients or a severe case. Your physician weighs your symptoms, your timeline, and your risk factors, then recommends the right plan for you.

No. The flu is caused by a virus, and antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, so they do nothing for influenza itself. Taking antibiotics you do not need can cause side effects and resistance. We treat the flu with antivirals when appropriate, hydration, and symptom care. If the flu leads to a bacterial complication such as a sinus infection or pneumonia, your physician will treat that separately, and our on-site digital X-ray can check for pneumonia the same visit.

Yes. Bay Harbor Islands is a close-knit family neighborhood, and the flu rarely stops at one person. We see children from three months of age and adults seven days a week, so the whole household can be tested and treated in one trip. For families who want a single physician on call all year, our concierge program offers in-home visits to East and West Island.

Adults 65 and older, children under 5 (especially under 2), pregnant patients, and anyone with a chronic condition such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, or diabetes, along with people whose immune system is weakened. For these patients the flu is more likely to turn serious, so we recommend being seen promptly rather than waiting it out, and early antiviral treatment is often worthwhile.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain or pressure, sudden confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, a high fever that will not come down, bluish lips, seizures, or signs of severe dehydration. In children, watch for fast or labored breathing, no tears when crying, or a child who is hard to wake. The flu is usually safe to treat at urgent care, but these warning signs need emergency care.

Yes. For milder flu symptoms when you do not need an in-person exam, we offer physician-led telehealth so you can be evaluated from home on the islands. If your physician decides you need a rapid test, IV hydration, or an X-ray, the clinic is only a few minutes away. Walk-in visits remain available seven days a week for anyone who would rather be seen in person.