When respiratory viruses spike, how do you know if it’s a cold, the flu, RSV or COVID? And where do you turn? Your healthcare team at Northeast Medical Group wants to help you prevent and manage viral respiratory infections. Before you start to feel under the weather, have COVID and/or COVID/Flu combo home tests on hand. The federal government is offering four free COVID home rapid test kits to every U.S. household beginning Nov. 20, 2024. Order online at covid.gov. Also, remember if you feel sick, stay home and away from others.
Here are some basic guidelines:
Generally, if you’re a healthy adult and develop a mild sore throat, cough, congestion or fever (99.1 to 100.4 degrees F), take a COVID home test. If your symptoms are mild – and the test is either positive or negative -- stay home until you feel better and are fever-free for at least 24 hours. Use a mask when you leave the house – especially if you’re coughing.
If you are generally a healthy adult with a fever (100.4 degrees F or higher) with muscle aches, chills, severe cough, shortness of breath or wheezing, take a COVID or COVID/Flu combo home test. If your test is positive for COVID or flu, call your primary care provider to schedule a video visit for faster evaluation and treatment. You can also go to Get Care Now to make an appointment for a virtual visit or at one of our NEMG walk-in centers or Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care Centers. The same is true if your COVID or COVID/Flu home test is negative.
If you have significant chronic health conditions, are older than 65, are not current with COVID vaccines or are pregnant, you are at increased risk for more severe illness. Even with mild symptoms, take a COVID or COVID/Flu home test. If your test is positive for COVID or flu, call your primary care provider to schedule a video visit to discuss antiviral treatment and possible medication interactions. You can also go to Get Care Now to make an appointment for a virtual visit or at one of our walk-in/urgent care centers. If your COVID or COVID/Flu home test is negative an in-person visit is preferred, because it can help determine if antibiotic or antiviral medication is needed or if you have a different respiratory virus. Schedule a video visit with your primary care physician or seek virtual or walk-in/urgent care through Get Care Now.
