We’ve all been there—a sudden illness or injury interrupts your day. Is your situation an emergency? Or is your primary care provider (PCP) or pediatrician’s office the right place to go for treatment? You’re feeling lousy, and you think an antibiotic will make you feel better.
The first thing to know is that, while you may be feeling bad, an antibiotic isn’t always the answer.
“If we keep misusing medications, bacterial illnesses that used to be curable will no longer respond to antibiotic treatment,” said Dr. Christian Caicedo, interim chief medical officer at PinnacleHealth. “This is not science fiction. Around the world today, antibiotic-resistant illnesses are causing sickness and even death.”
Caicedo said when your doctor tells you that your illness is viral and not bacterial, listen carefully. That means you have a virus that needs to run its natural course and an antibiotic will not help your illness. If you take an antibiotic when you don’t need one, you may be hurting yourself and others.
Taking antibiotics unnecessarily could kill your good bacteria or cause side effects. Antibiotics are powerful drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections. Misuse or overuse can cause problems such as:
- Altering the effectiveness of other medications and causing side effects or allergic reactions.
- Killing most of the bacteria in your body that are sensitive to them, including good bacteria, which may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea or other problems.
- Making birth control pills less effective or leading to vaginal yeast infections in women.
“Using antibiotics against viral infections will not cure the infection or help you feel better,” said Caicedo.
To feel better when you or your child has a viral infection, ask your healthcare professional about over-the-counter treatment options that may help reduce symptoms, he said. Self-care like drinking more fluids and getting more rest can provide some relief. In addition, if you are diagnosed with the flu, there are prescription drugs called flu antivirals that can be used to treat flu illness.
“Just because your healthcare professional doesn’t give you an antibiotic doesn’t mean you aren’t sick,” Caicedo said. “It just means an antibiotic won’t help you. Talk with your healthcare professional about the best treatment or symptom relief for you or your child’s viral illness.”
Is It an Emergency?
This time of year, emergency rooms often are swamped with people who have the flu—or even just a cold or cough. Before visiting the ER, please judge whether your problem actually is an emergency, as it may take valuable resources from someone with a serious or life-threatening condition.
“Going to the ER when it’s not an emergency means you may be waiting many hours to receive medical attention,” said Caicedo. “And, while insurance coverage varies, most insurers require you to pay a lot more out of pocket for nonemergency care in the ER.”
Emergency doctors report several conditions for which appropriate care can be provided elsewhere. While exceptions occur, many illnesses (colds, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, sprains, earaches, sinus infections, etc.) are not serious and can be treated in a primary care or urgent care setting.
When it’s not an emergency, calling your PCP or pediatrician is typically recommended for immediate medical advice. Walk-in care and retail clinics like PinnacleHealth Express and FastCare Clinics are convenient options when you can’t get in to see your regular doctor, especially after hours.
“Our Express and FastCare locations are staffed by primary care providers who can treat multiple concerns, including coughs, colds, rashes, urinary issues, eye or ear drainage and fever,” said Caicedo. “While these conditions have the potential to get worse, they are not emergencies requiring hospitalization. We can treat patients appropriately and in a timely manner.”
Emergency room visits should be for just that—an emergency.
“Chest pain, broken bones, possible stroke, poisoning, severe burns, lacerations and major loss of blood are some examples of emergencies,” he said. “If you aren’t sure, contact your PCP and use your best judgment.”
For instance, those with high-risk health issues should call the doctor first when they get the flu and consider getting care through their primary care doctor or urgent care center instead of going to the emergency room—unless symptoms worsen.
“We’re in the heart of flu season, and it can cause some really uncomfortable symptoms, especially high fever,” Caicedo said. “It’s a good idea to know whether you or a family member is at high risk for complications from the flu.”
When it’s not an emergency, use your PCP or walk-in care. Many doctors’ offices have extended hours or 24-hour nursing support. And most walk-in centers are open on the weekends and have flexible hours.
By receiving the right care in the right setting, you can help yourself in many ways, make the most of your time and potentially save money.
To learn about the CDC’s recommendations for flu symptoms that require emergency treatment, visit www.pinnaclehealth.org/flu.
For more information about walk-in care options and finding the right care for you, visit www.pinnaclehealth.org/rightcare.
Author: Christina Persson
