CORONAVIRUS

Due to current limitations in specimen collection, TelMed Network cannot currently order tests for COVID-19. In-person care from a health care provider is currently required to collect a specimen (nose or throat swab) which is then submitted to a lab for COVID-19 testing.

The process and locations for testing vary from place to place. We recommend contacting your local physician, hospital, or public health department for the most up to date information on testing sites in your area. State and local public health departments have received tests from CDC while medical providers are getting tests developed by commercial manufacturers. While supplies of these tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find someplace to get tested.

Before visiting a testing site, be sure to confirm if a doctor’s order is needed to obtain a test. At this time TelMed Network cannot order COVID-19 tests. We also recommend inquiring about the location’s stock of test kits to ensure test kits will be on hand when you arrive.

No. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with mild symptoms. Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel (new) coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source but is now spreading from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g., type of surface, temperature, or humidity of the environment). If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with a disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others.

The current count of cases of COVID-19 in the United States is available on CDC’s webpage at Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Shortness of breath – known medically as dyspnea – is often described as a tightening in the chest, or breathlessness. Normally, shortness of breath accompanies a tough workout or a stressful day, but if you have shortness of breath while resting or lying down, it can be a sign that medical help is needed.

The symptoms related to influenza (The Flu) and COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are very similar and can be indistinguishable. Symptoms of both include fever, cough, body aches, and fatigue.

Influenza typically has a mortality rate of 0.1 percent in the United States. The mortality rate of COVID-19 is significantly higher, especially in older patients and those with preexisting conditions, like diabetes, respiratory issues, and weakened immune systems.

Vaccines and antiviral treatments exist for influenza, but no vaccines or anti-viral treatments currently exist for coronavirus.

Contact your physician for help diagnosing your condition.

Follow the advice of your local health officials regarding social distancing and shelter in place policies. In addition, the CDC now recommends that people wear a cloth face covering when in public.

Common-sense measures can help minimize the chances of exposure. (1) Avoid close contact with people who are sick. (2) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. (3) Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. (4) Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

In light of new data about how COVID-19 spreads, along with evidence of widespread COVID-19 illness in communities across the country, CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering to cover their nose and mouth in the community setting. This is an additional public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to (not instead of) social distancing, frequent hand cleaning and other everyday preventive actions. A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer, but may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others.

Medical masks and N-95 respirators are reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

The CDC has provided recommendations on postponing or canceling travel to certain areas.

If anyone has a fever and respiratory symptoms, that person should not fly, if possible.

Medical masks and N-95 respirators are reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

Seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you develop symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with an ongoing spread of COVID-19.

TelMed Network virtual visits are a good option. Our doctors are trained on the latest CDC guidance for providers and can assess your symptoms and risk factors to determine appropriate next steps.

Before seeking in-person care for COVID-19 symptoms, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms and minimize the risk of additional health complications.