It’s cold and flu season, and COVID-19 remains an ongoing risk for people with pre-existing health conditions and lowered immunity. With all these respiratory illnesses going around (not to mention RSV), having a plan in place can help make things easier and (a little) less stressful when you’re not feeling your best. Here’s what we suggest, and what we can do to help.
Take Preventative Measures
Regular immunizations against COVID and the flu may help prevent you from getting these taxing illnesses, and/or from having life-threatening symptoms if you do get sick. We offer COVID and flu vaccines to BlueWater Family Wellness members who are ready to take those steps to protect themselves.
We also incorporate preventative care into your customized care plan, which takes into account your medical history, any current/chronic conditions you’d like to treat or improve, and recommendations for mitigating and managing future health risks.
Listen to Mom (and Grandma)
When it comes to treating cold and flu, or other respiratory illnesses, you should always follow the advice of your care team first. That said, adding in some tried and true home care to your prescribed treatment can help your recovery along.
- Drinking plenty of fluids helps your body continue flushing out germs and keeps your lungs and sinuses hydrated, which is a lot more comfortable than the alternative.
- Eating warm, nourishing foods can help you feel better. Even the Mayo Clinic agrees that chicken soup can help you recover from illness, thanks to the vitamins and nutrients in the vegetables, the protein in the chicken, and the hydration of the broth.
- Resting as much as you can allows your body to recover and repair itself while doing the hard work of getting through an illness. Try to encourage deep sleep by reducing screen time and minimizing unnecessary noise and distractions.
Get Tested When You’re Ill
Cold, flu, COVID, and RSV are all upper respiratory viruses. That means you’re unlikely to know which illness you’re experiencing when you first start feeling poorly. Testing for common respiratory illnesses helps you rule things out, so you can make a more effective plan for treatment and recovery.
When you get direct primary care services through BlueWater Family Wellness, you have access to a wide range of in-office testing for a variety of viruses, infections, and other illnesses. Just let us know which tests you need prior to your visit, so we can confirm their availability ahead of time.
Talk to Your Care Team Quickly
Sometimes the unknowns of dealing with respiratory illnesses can make things worse, especially when your little ones aren’t feeling well. Direct primary and pediatric care means no red tape and no hoops to jump through. Our member families have quick access to their care team by phone, email, and text, to get their questions answered and make a plan to feel better.
If you’re not feeling your best, or if you want to be more protected against cold and flu this season, we can help. Make an appointment with BlueWater Family Wellness today and get the support you need for greater wellness.