Everyone in the House Is Sick—but Does Everyone Have the Same Thing?

One child has a fever.

Another has a runny nose.

Mom's throat hurts.

Dad started coughing this morning.

The natural assumption?

“We're all passing around the same thing.”

Maybe you are.

But similar symptoms don't necessarily prove that everyone has the same infection.

Same house. Similar symptoms. Not necessarily the same answer.

Respiratory infections often share the same basic symptoms: fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, fatigue and body aches.

During periods when several illnesses are circulating simultaneously, symptoms alone may not tell you which pathogen is responsible.

And that's important when you're deciding:

• Can my child go back to school?
• Should I go to work tomorrow?
• Do I need medical treatment?
• Is my elderly parent at greater risk?
• Should I keep waiting—or should someone be evaluated?

Those decisions are better made with appropriate medical guidance than with assumptions about what “everyone has.”

One PCR platform can look for multiple possibilities

When clinically appropriate, Memorial Heights Emergency Center uses the BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE Respiratory/Sore Throat system, an advanced multiplex PCR platform.

The expanded panel can detect up to 15 pathogen targets associated with respiratory and sore-throat illnesses and return results in approximately 15 minutes.

Depending on the testing menu and clinical presentation, the panel can look for pathogens including influenza A and B, RSV, rhinovirus/enterovirus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, seasonal coronavirus and certain bacterial causes.

For a closer look at the platform itself, read our BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE® testing overview — the technology authority page behind these answers.

Worried About the Cost? Don't Let That Keep You From Getting Care.

If you're sick or concerned about your symptoms, don't let an expensive copay keep you from seeking the care you need.

At Memorial Heights Emergency Center, we're going to take care of you regardless. Under our patient-friendly billing policy, we do not collect a copay at the time of your visit. We'll work with your insurance company on your claim and help navigate the billing process with the goal of keeping your financial responsibility as manageable as possible.

Your health comes first. Come in, let us take care of you, and let's focus on getting you better.

Insurance benefits, coverage and patient financial responsibility vary by health plan and services provided. Memorial Heights Emergency Center is an out-of-network freestanding emergency medical care facility. Please see our Insurance Information page for complete billing disclosures.

Testing is only one piece of the puzzle

A positive PCR result doesn't replace a physician's examination.

Likewise, a negative panel doesn't rule out every possible cause of illness.

That's why MHEHC uses testing as one component of a broader emergency medical evaluation.

Your physician can consider your symptoms, medical history, vital signs, physical examination and test results together to determine the appropriate next step.

And when the patient is your child, spouse or parent?

You shouldn't have to decide whether someone's symptoms are serious based solely on what happened to another family member.

If a dependent is having difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe weakness, confusion, dehydration, seizure, significant lethargy or other concerning symptoms, seek emergency care.

When illness hits your household, don't assume. Get answers.

Your symptoms may look alike.

Your illnesses may even be related.

But when someone's condition concerns you, a family diagnosis based on a hunch isn't a substitute for medical evaluation.

Memorial Heights Emergency Center, 4000 Washington Avenue, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77007. Open 24/7 — including holidays.

Don't Guess. Get Answers.

Sick? Don't guess. Get answers. Advanced PCR testing. Results in about 15 minutes. Emergency physicians. 24/7.

Check In Online — no appointment needed. Walk in any time.