Patient Resources

Flu, COVID, and Respiratory Illnesses: What You Can Do Before Emergency Care

With flu, COVID, and other respiratory illnesses on the rise, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and those around you. While our emergency departments are always here for you, taking preventive steps and prioritizing rest at home can help with a quicker recovery. If needed, seeking care through a primary care provider or Physicians Care Express ensures you receive timely treatment, and helps keep our emergency departments available for those in urgent, life-saving situations.

Prevention: The First Line of Defense

Reduce the spread of illness with these steps:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow
• Wear a mask in public if you have a persistent cough or other signs of illness to help protect others
• Stay home when sick and keep kids from school or daycare to prevent spreading germs

Treatment: When and Where to Seek Care

If you start feeling unwell, timely care in the right setting can make a big difference in recovery:

• Rest and hydration at home are key to recovery
• For non-emergency symptoms, seek care from your primary care provider or visit a Physician Care Express location for evaluation and treatment.

This helps reduce the strain on emergency departments and ensures you receive the right level of care quickly.

When to Go to the Emergency Department

Emergency departments are for severe or life-threatening symptoms. While it’s understandable to want quick care, visiting the ED for mild symptoms contributes to overcrowding and delays for those in critical need.

You should seek emergency care for respiratory illnesses if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or pressure
• Confusion or disorientation
• A persistent high fever lasting more than three days, spiking above 103°F, or accompanied by confusion or a rash

By taking these preventive steps and seeking care in the right place at the right time, you can help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.