Tis the season for cold, flu, RSV, COVID-19, and other viruses.
Check out our advice on staying well and preventing illness:
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Tips to Prevent Illness this Season:
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-Wash your hands.
-Improve the air quality & ventilation in your home by opening or cracking windows, using air purifiers, or running your furnace fan on "continuous." -Clean frequently touched surfaces regularly. -Cover your mouth with a tissue or into your elbow when you cough or sneeze. -Stay home when you are sick. If you must go out, maintain physical distance. -Consider wearing a mask around high-risk loved ones. -Get your vaccines. Vaccines can help protect you from getting sick or make your illness milder and shorter if you do get sick. Talk with your medical provider to see what vaccines are recommended for you. |
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If you feel sick:
-Monitor your symptoms and if you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing or chest pain), seek emergency medical care immediately.
-Try to stay home when you are sick. You can go back to regular activities if it has been 24 hours since your symptoms have gotten better and you do not have a fever (and are not using a fever-reducing medication). If you must go out in public during your illness, consider distancing yourself from others and wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of germs.
-When you go back to your regular activities, take extra precautions such as wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, maintaining your hygiene, and taking steps for cleaner air.
-Visit your healthcare provider. If you need a healthcare provider, call us to schedule an appointment.
-Try to stay home when you are sick. You can go back to regular activities if it has been 24 hours since your symptoms have gotten better and you do not have a fever (and are not using a fever-reducing medication). If you must go out in public during your illness, consider distancing yourself from others and wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of germs.
-When you go back to your regular activities, take extra precautions such as wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, maintaining your hygiene, and taking steps for cleaner air.
-Visit your healthcare provider. If you need a healthcare provider, call us to schedule an appointment.
Feeling sick and need a medical provider? We welcome new patients 12 and older. Call us at (330)
343-5555, ext. 1810 to schedule an appointment.
Scheduling phone lines are open Monday-Thursday from 8 am to 4 pm, and Friday
from 8 am to 1 pm.
Handwashing
Handwashing can prevent about 20% of respiratory infections and prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea illnesses. Follow these handwashing tips to help prevent illness:
1. Wet your hands with clean, running water. Use hand sanitizer if water is unavailable.
2. Apply soap to your hands and rub them together. Make sure to rub between your fingers and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds or however long it takes to hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse hands under clean, running water.
5. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I have COVID-19 or the flu?
COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms. The only way to tell which one you have is by getting tested. You can purchase an at-home COVID-19 test at most pharmacies and some convenience stores.
COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms. The only way to tell which one you have is by getting tested. You can purchase an at-home COVID-19 test at most pharmacies and some convenience stores.
Why should I get tested?
If you test positive for COVID-19 or the flu, you may be eligible for antiviral medication from your healthcare provider. This medication can help reduce the severity of your illness.
If you test positive for COVID-19 or the flu, you may be eligible for antiviral medication from your healthcare provider. This medication can help reduce the severity of your illness.
Is COVID-19 still dangerous?
Yes. COVID-19 is still a health threat, especially among the elderly and people who are immunocompromised. COVID-19 also carriers the chance of lingering “long COVID” symptoms, such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, brain fog, joint pain, and ongoing loss of taste and smell.
Yes. COVID-19 is still a health threat, especially among the elderly and people who are immunocompromised. COVID-19 also carriers the chance of lingering “long COVID” symptoms, such as fatigue, difficulty breathing, brain fog, joint pain, and ongoing loss of taste and smell.
What if I am exposed to someone with COVID-19?
1) Take a test or seek treatment; 2) If you test positive, stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after your symptoms are getting better AND your fever has ended (without using fever-reducing medication); 3) Take precautions for 5 additional days. People who desire further protection may consider additional strategies, such as wearing a well-fitting mask, physical distancing, or testing.
1) Take a test or seek treatment; 2) If you test positive, stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after your symptoms are getting better AND your fever has ended (without using fever-reducing medication); 3) Take precautions for 5 additional days. People who desire further protection may consider additional strategies, such as wearing a well-fitting mask, physical distancing, or testing.
Where can I get a COVID-19 test?
At-home COVID-19 tests can be purchased at most pharmacies and some convenience stores. Check with your insurance provider to see if they will cover the cost of a home test. Some insurance plans will reimburse the test cost.
At-home COVID-19 tests can be purchased at most pharmacies and some convenience stores. Check with your insurance provider to see if they will cover the cost of a home test. Some insurance plans will reimburse the test cost.
Are vaccines really safe?
Yes. Flu vaccines have been given to hundreds of millions of people for more than 50 years, and more than 672 million COVID vaccines have been given out. The standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness are the most intense in history.
Yes. Flu vaccines have been given to hundreds of millions of people for more than 50 years, and more than 672 million COVID vaccines have been given out. The standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness are the most intense in history.
If I get a vaccine, can I still get COVID-19 or the flu?
Maybe. You may have contracted a different variant or have flu-like symptoms from a non-flu virus. You may even have been exposed after your shot but before it became fully effective. It takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection after getting a vaccine. The good news is people with vaccines often have milder symptoms and are only half as likely to end up in the hospital or experience serious consequences from being sick.
Maybe. You may have contracted a different variant or have flu-like symptoms from a non-flu virus. You may even have been exposed after your shot but before it became fully effective. It takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection after getting a vaccine. The good news is people with vaccines often have milder symptoms and are only half as likely to end up in the hospital or experience serious consequences from being sick.