COVID-19 is a new coronavirus. This virus infects people primarily through their respiratory tract (nose and lungs). The most common symptoms often feel like a cold or the flu. Common symptoms include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, loss of the sense of smell and sometimes other symptoms such as diarrhea. You may also get a sore throat, body aches or tiredness but these are more typical of flu symptoms. Symptoms can appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure.
Runny nose, nasal stuffiness, sneezing and headaches are NOT symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms are more typical of allergies, colds and the flu. If you have any of these symptoms, you likely don’t have COVID-19.
The people most at risk are people 65 and older and those with chronic disease, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD and emphysema.
Mid-Cities Allergy & Asthma Center will continue regular office hours during this time of recommended social distancing [CDC: 6 feet between people who don't live together, no shaking hands, crowd avoidance, etc]. We care for many elderly patients, those with lung conditions and weakened immune systems. For these reasons, we have made a few changes to our office procedures which will help our patients feel more comfortable.
(1) If you or anyone in your household has symptoms of fever, cough, body aches, fatigue or sore throat, please do not come to the office and expose other people. If you've been exposed to COVID-19 (this means you were within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for more than 15 minutes with or without wearing a mask), the CDC recommends that you self-quarantine or isolate yourself at home for 14 days unless you are ill enough to seek emergency care. During isolation, keep hydrated, get plenty of rest and use Tylenol if needed for fever and/or pain. If you have symptoms of COVID, GET TESTED. While waiting on your test results, be sure to stay home and away from others.
We cannot test you for COVID-19 at our office. Wait at least 6 to 8 days before you test in order to avoid possible false negative test results. If you test negative, quarantine and stay at home for 14 days since your were exposed to COVID-19. If you must go out, wear a mask and stay 6 feet away from anyone who doesn't live with you.
(2) If you tested POSITIVE, isolate and stay at home until 10 days have passed since you first got symptoms; 24-hours have passed since you had a fever (without medicine - e.g., Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.); and your symptoms have improved. Anyone who lives with you needs to self-quarantine for 14 days since their last contact with you.
(3) We ask that patients coming in for scheduled well office visits or allergy shots keep at least three empty chairs between one another. Patients will be roomed immediately for the check-in process with vital signs being taken in the exam rooms. Patients will not be sent to check-out if there is a line.
(4) If at all possible, we ask that only the patient come to the office, unless accompanying a minor or other dependent.
(5) In order to limit the number of people in our waiting room, patients will be allowed to wait in their car after getting their routine allergy shot(s). You will be given a direct phone number so that you can contact the shot room nurse after your wait time has elapsed. If you’re having symptoms of an allergic reaction, come back into the office and we will do our best to put you in a treatment room quickly.
(6) We can collect copays via credit card over the phone so no one is waiting to “check-out” after their shots.
(7) Since we have a limited number of staff to answer the phone, room patients and give allergy shots, we ask for your patience as we navigate this unprecedented time.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Regards,
The Doctors and Staff at Mid-Cities Allergy & Asthma Center
