YOU’RE WATCHING KOAT ACTION SEVEN NEWS. IT MIGHT BE GETTING WARMER, BUT WE’RE STILL IN THE MIDST OF FLU SEASON. KOAT UNM UNM. HEALTH EXPERT DOCTOR ASH SPOKE WITH ME ABOUT WHEN PEOPLE SHOULD STAY HOME, SEE A DOCTOR, OR GO TO THE HOSPITAL. IF YOU HAVE A RUNNY OR STUFFY NOSE, BODY ACHES OR A SORE THROAT, OR A MILD FEVER UNDER 101 DEGREES, THAT GOES DOWN WITH MEDICINE. YOU DON’T NEED TO GO ANYWHERE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS, REST AND STAY HOME SO YOU DON’T SPREAD GERMS. A VIDEO VISIT WITH THE DOCTOR IS A GOOD OPTION IF YOU NEED ADVICE. ANTIVIRAL MEDICINE LIKE TAMIFLU OR JUST A NOTE FOR WORK OR SCHOOL. DOCTOR ASH, IS THERE A POINT WHEN SOMEONE SHOULD PROBABLY GO IN TO SEE A DOCTOR? SURE. IF SYMPTOMS LAST LONGER THAN 3 TO 7 DAYS OR YOU JUST FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BUT NOT DANGEROUS, A PRIMARY CARE VISIT IS A GOOD CHOICE. URGENT CARE IS A GOOD OPTION IF YOU CAN’T GET A PRIMARY CARE APPOINTMENT OR HAVE MODERATE SYMPTOMS. THAT MEANS A FEVER BETWEEN 101 AND 103 DEGREES. THAT IS NOT GETTING BETTER. STRONG BODY ACHES, CHEST DISCOMFORT WHEN COUGHING, SHORTNESS OF BREATH WITH MOVEMENT OR VOMITING, AND DIARRHEA LASTING MORE THAN A DAY. WHEN IS IT A TRUE EMERGENCY? GOOD QUESTION. GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM RIGHT AWAY FOR RED FLAG SYMPTOMS. THIS INCLUDES FEVER OVER 104 DEGREES. TROUBLE BREATHING, CHEST PAIN THAT JUST WON’T GO AWAY. BLUE OR GRAY LIPS, CONFUSION, SEIZURES OR SUDDEN DIZZINESS. YOU KNOW, FOR BABIES UNDER THREE MONTHS OLD, ANY FEV
Despite warming temperatures, flu season can last up until the spring months before winding down fully.Dr. Abinash Achrekar, KOAT and University of New Mexico health expert, explains when a person should or should not go to see a doctor. Firstly, those with a sore throat, body aches, a runny nose, and a mild fever under 101 degrees that goes down with medicine do not need to leave for the doctor’s.Follow Dr. Ash on Facebook and InstagramHowever, it’s still important for those battling the flu to drink plenty of fluids, rest and stay home to avoid spreading it to others. Achrekar breaks down when people need to take the trip to a doctor in person.”If symptoms last longer than three to seven days or feel uncomfortable but not dangerous, a primary care visit is a good choice,” Achrekar said. “Urgent care is a good option if you can’t get a primary care appointment or have moderate symptoms. That means a fever between 101 and 103 degrees that is not getting better, strong body aches, chest discomfort when coughing, shortness of breath with movement, or vomiting and diarrhea lasting more than a day.”Achrekar also said go to the emergency room for severe symptoms, which include a fever over 104 degrees, trouble breathing and chest pain that will not go away.Stay updated on the latest health news with the KOAT app. You can download it here.
Despite warming temperatures, flu season can last up until the spring months before winding down fully.
Dr. Abinash Achrekar, KOAT and University of New Mexico health expert, explains when a person should or should not go to see a doctor. Firstly, those with a sore throat, body aches, a runny nose, and a mild fever under 101 degrees that goes down with medicine do not need to leave for the doctor’s.
Follow Dr. Ash on Facebook and Instagram
However, it’s still important for those battling the flu to drink plenty of fluids, rest and stay home to avoid spreading it to others. Achrekar breaks down when people need to take the trip to a doctor in person.
“If symptoms last longer than three to seven days or feel uncomfortable but not dangerous, a primary care visit is a good choice,” Achrekar said. “Urgent care is a good option if you can’t get a primary care appointment or have moderate symptoms. That means a fever between 101 and 103 degrees that is not getting better, strong body aches, chest discomfort when coughing, shortness of breath with movement, or vomiting and diarrhea lasting more than a day.”
Achrekar also said go to the emergency room for severe symptoms, which include a fever over 104 degrees, trouble breathing and chest pain that will not go away.
Stay updated on the latest health news with the KOAT app. You can download it here.
