Helpful Health Info graphic

If you have been sent to this page by New Braunfels Fire & EMS, then it has been determined that you do not need to be hospitalized at this time, and can safely be isolated at home. Most people with respiratory infections like colds, the flu, and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) will have mild illness and can get better with appropriate home care and without the need to see a medical provider. People who are elderly, pregnant, or have a weak immune system or other medical problems are at higher risk of more serious illness or complications. By avoiding a visit to a healthcare facility, you protect yourself from getting a new infection and protect others from catching an infection from you.

SYMPTOMS

poster-COVID19-symptomsPatients with COVID-19 have shown mild to severe respiratory illness, including:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath

According to the World Health Organization, people may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms. The most common symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.  

More rarely, the disease can be serious and even fatal. Older people, and people with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), may be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill.

TREATMENT

There is no specific treatment for most viruses, including those that cause the common cold and those that cause COVID-19.Most people recover on their own from these viruses, including COVID-19. Here are steps that you can take to help you get better:

  • Rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Take over-the-counter cold and flu medications such as Tylenol (preferred) and ibuprofen (Use of Ibuprofen may be controversial) to reduce fever and pain. Follow the instructions on the package, unless your doctor gave you specific instructions.  Note that these medicines do not ‘cure’ the illness and do not stop you from spreading germs.

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE

You should seek medical care if you are not getting better within a week, or if your symptoms get worse. It is best to call your doctor ahead of time to discuss your symptoms, if possible. It is recommended that you seek medical care for any serious symptoms, such as:

Seek Medical Care When

If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.

COVID-19 TESTING 
Testing is only available through orders by your PCP or other physicians.

Testing for COVID-19 is available through your primary care provider (PCP). Call your doctor and inquire about testing. If you do not have a primary care provider, contact an urgent care center or nearby health clinic and inquire about how you can be tested.  

PREVENTING THE SPREAD

You should follow the prevention steps below until a health care provider or local health department says you can return to your normal activities: 

cdc_unitSeparate yourself from other people in your home:  As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. 

Take care of your mental health: You might be feeling anxious, afraid, lonely or uncertain. The following link has a guide with a list of helpful behavioral health resources and a few tips for taking care of your emotional health while you are quarantined: https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma14-4894.pdf

Wear a face mask: If you have one, you should wear a face mask when you are around other people (for example, sharing a room or vehicle) or pets, and before you enter a health care provider’s office. If you do not have a face mask, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people 

Cover your coughs and sneezes: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.

Clean your hands often: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if your hands are visibly dirty. 

Avoid touching your face: Viruses that affect the respiratory system enter the body through mucous membranes which are found in the eyes, nose, and mouth. 

Clean all high-touch surfaces every day: High-touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. 

Avoid sharing personal household items: You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. 

  1. TeleHealth Services
  2. Community Resources
  3. Food & Pharmacy
  4. Mental Health

TELEHEALTH SERVICES

For your safety and convenience, healthcare providers are encouraging all patients experiencing flu-like symptoms to first use mobile apps or visit websites that have been set up for COVID-19 response.

Check with your physician’s office directly, they may be offering telehealth appointments with your provider.  Before scheduling an appointment with your healthcare provider, or walking into a clinic, urgent care center, or hospital, it is recommended that you use one of these or similar services listed below:

Baylor Scott & White:  Visit their website or to install the app on your mobile device, simply text BETTER to 88408 to have it sent to your phone. No appointment is needed.

Ascension:  Visit their website to download the app. Use the code HOME for a $20 cost per visit, and no appointment is needed.

MDLive:  Visit their website to sign-up for a free account.

TelaDoc:  Visit their website to set-up an account or download their app. The cost of a Teladoc visit depends on your health plan, with everyday care costing less than $49.

HeyDoc:  Visit their website to download the app. A visit on HeyDoc costs the patient between $10 and $50.

Televero Health:  Visit their website to schedule a consult with a Critical Care M.D. or Behavioral Health professional.

Freeman Medical Clinic:  A local clinic that will see new and established patients via telehealth.

West Holistic Medicine:  Visit their website to register for an account. Sliding income scale for cost ranging $0-$70.