With COVID-19 outbreak, your family needs a plan for what to do if someone feels sick. It’s normal to wonder where you should go for medical care — or whether to go anywhere at all.
To keep yourself and everyone around you safe, it’s best to call your doctor from home if you or a family member feels under the weather. Your physician can advise you on the next steps to take to feel better.
To stay on the safe side, follow these steps to get help for coronavirus disease symptoms.
1. Avoid the ER Unless You Have a Medical Emergency
If you or someone you love has coronavirus symptoms like fever, dry coughing and difficulty breathing, avoid going to the emergency room at your local hospital except in cases of a medical emergency. The best first step is to call your primary care physician. They’ll help you understand your symptoms and advise on the next steps.
We know this guidance is different from what you’d normally do, but remember that during this time, it’s important to keep yourself safe and also avoid getting other people sick.
2. Call or Video Visit With Your Doctor From Home
You can safely see your doctor during coronavirus outbreak. An in-person visit may not be the safest choice during the outbreak (for you or anyone else in the doctor’s office) so call your doctor from home if you need medical care.
To visit with your doctor virtually from your smartphone or tablet, you can download the AdventHealth app. During this telemedicine appointment, you can video chat with your physician, explain your symptoms, get a diagnosis and even get a prescription that suits your needs.
You can find the AdventHealth app in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
3. Only Leave Home for Medical Care if Your Doctor Approves It
On your phone call or telemedicine visit with your doctor, he or she can tell you what to do to feel better, based on your symptoms. Your provider can tell you whether to visit their office for further examination, go to an urgent care or go to an emergency department near you — just be sure to get their approval before you leave home.
What the CDC Says to Do
If you have mild coronavirus symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)says to stay home and isolate yourself to the best of your ability. If you’re really sick with these symptoms but don’t need to be hospitalized, follow these steps from the CDC to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Know Where Not to Go if You’re Feeling Sick
As imperative as it is to know where to go for medical care, it’s equally important to know where not to go during coronavirus outbreak. If you’re feeling sick with coronavirus symptoms:
- Avoid close contact with loved ones
- Don’t visit your loved ones in the hospital or nursing home
- Keep your kids at home if they’re sick
- Stay home from work or work from home if you can
Here for You and the People You Love
At every stage of coronavirus outbreak, you can count on the AdventHealth team you trust. We’re by your side and in the palm of your hand with virtual doctor visits, and can answer your coronavirus FAQs and more on our Coronavirus Resource Hub.
