Stuffy nose? Check.
Nasty cough? Check.
Fever? Check.
Doctor appointment? Hmm. Should I?
Cold and flu symptoms make you feel terrible. Home remedies (and a lot of sleep) can often get you through the worst of it. But sometimes you have to wonder — “Do I need professional care?”
Deciding what to do and where to go can be a tough call — unless your first call is to Nurse Now, a free 24/7 nurse helpline offered by St. Elizabeth. Nurses are ready at (888) 4STE-NOW to answer your questions and guide you to the care you need.
When is Cold & Flu Season (And When Does It End)?
Cold and flu season in our region can begin as early as October and run through March. February is typically the peak month. During these months, you and your family are at increased risk for the viruses that cause cold and flu. These viruses affect your nose, throat and lungs.
Flu symptoms begin more suddenly than cold symptoms and last up to two weeks. People with the flu may have a fever, chills, a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and tiredness. Cold symptoms are usually milder and don’t last as long.
Is It Harder to Get Care in the Winter?
Winter can bring challenges in getting care. Primary care offices and urgent care centers can be busy for many reasons, including:
- Increased demand for cold and flu care.
- Limited hours because of severe weather or winter holidays.
- Staff absences due to illness.
These factors can mean longer wait times for appointments. That’s one reason why it’s essential to know if you need in-person care. A virtual visit — or simply continuing home remedies — may be the better choice. Nurse Now can help you decide.
Sick? Talk to a Nurse 24/7
“Nurse Now is a great resource when you’re not sure where to go or who to ask. It’s free advice from a trusted nurse who can give personalized advice based on your current medical condition,” says Sommer Peveler, a Registered Nurse at St. Elizabeth.
Nurse Now is available free of charge to anyone in Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky. It’s the right call to make if you are sick or concerned about a friend or family member who is ill.
The nurse helpline is open round the clock, 365 days a year. That means you can call any time you need support, whether five minutes after your primary care office closes or in the middle of the night. Here’s how our nurses can help:
- Answer questions about your symptoms and the medicine you are taking.
- Provide recommendations about whether to seek medical care.
- Schedule an appointment for you with a St. Elizabeth provider.
- Provide advice on self-care for minor injuries and illnesses.
Choosing the Right Care Option
The nurse may recommend you schedule a virtual care appointment with a provider. St. Elizabeth offers two options.
- Video Visits on Demand with a St. Elizabeth provider offers same-day care for common illnesses, all through a secure online platform. Video Visits on Demand are available to everyone, including those who aren’t St. Elizabeth patients.
- Video Visits connects you to your St. Elizabeth provider through a secure video call. Available to current patients only.
Learn more about Virtual Health options at St. Elizabeth.
