Know Where to Go for Care this Season

It’s time to retire the phrase “flu season” and call it what it really is: respiratory illness season. While the flu is a major winter troublemaker, there is a whole host of other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and RSV, not to mention the common cold, which love to spread once we head indoors for the fall and winter.

To help you prepare, Dr. Anil Shukla, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Dr. Sush Prusty, Medical Director of Urgent Care Services, offer guidance so you – and your loved ones – know where to go to seek medical care for respiratory symptoms.

“It’s no secret that seasonal respiratory illnesses can cause severe symptoms that can stop us in our tracks. But for people with chronic conditions like heart disease or asthma, these infections can be much more dangerous, which is one reason why we see so many more patients at our Emergency Departments this time of year,” says Dr. Prusty. “But many people can get the care they need at one of our Urgent Care locations, at their Primary Care Provider’s office, or even through a telehealth visit.”

Here’s a breakdown of where to head to get the care you need:

Primary Care

Think of your Primary Care Provider (PCP) as your “home base” for care. This is especially true for people who have chronic conditions because your PCP will know how to treat respiratory season illnesses with medications that are safe to take with any existing treatment. Your PCP should be your first stop for non-urgent:

• Cough, cold or flu symptoms
• Ear infections and sore throat
• Minor injuries like sprains, bumps and bruises
• Skin problems
• Urinary tract infections
• Immunizations
• Prescriptions refills
• Referral to specialists
• Chronic health conditions & routine check-up

If you have a Southcoast Health PCP, contact your provider’s office to speak with our nurse triage team, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our nurses can assess your symptoms and guide you to the most appropriate level of care. If you need any help with transportation, please call 774-510-0014 at least 48 hours before the appointment to request transportation assistance.

Urgent Care

When your PCP isn’t available, Southcoast Health Urgent Care offers convenient and efficient walk-in care for mild to moderate symptoms that still need prompt attention. All seven locations are open 8am – 7pm Mondays through Fridays and 9am – 5pm on weekends. Conditions that can typically be handled at Urgent Care centers include non-emergency:

• Upper respiratory symptoms (nasal and sinus congestion, throat and ear pain, cough)
• Conjunctivitis
• Minor scrapes and cuts
• Extremity injuries without deformity
• Wounds or burns with controlled bleeding
• Rashes or allergic symptoms without difficulty breathing
• Neck, back or other muscle pain without recent trauma
• Isolated urinary symptoms including burning, frequency or abnormal color
• Extremity infections without fever

Urgent Care often has shorter wait times, which are posted at Urgent Care – Southcoast Health, and you can even schedule your visit ahead of time using the Save My Spot feature. If your condition requires a visit with a specialist, our team can directly schedule a follow-up appointment for specialty care at all our Urgent Care locations.

Emergency Department (ED)

If you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, stroke symptoms, or another medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ED immediately. Getting care at the appropriate location helps ensure you receive timely treatment while preserving ED resources for patients with life-threatening conditions.

“Emergency Departments are equipped to handle severe and life-threatening conditions, which require immediate, more intensive care,” says Dr. Shukla. He advises going to the nearest ED as soon as possible or calling 911 if you experience:

• Chest pain, difficulty breathing, swelling in arms or legs
• Abnormal heartbeat or pulse
• Bleeding from any source that is difficult to control
• Severe pain in head, neck, abdomen
• Neurologic symptoms including numbness, weakness, new severe headache, change in vision, speech, ability to walk, or mental status.
• Ingestion of toxic substances, intentional or unintentional
• Loss of consciousness, with or without seizures
• Severe psychiatric symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, thoughts of hurting yourself or other people
• Traumatic injuries

“Because emergency rooms are staffed with specialists trained in emergency medicine who can consult with other specialists, and are equipped with advanced testing and equipment, they’re the best choice for serious conditions,” says Dr. Shukla. “However, keep in mind that EDs operate on a triage system, meaning patients with the most severe conditions are treated first. This can lead to longer wait times for people with non-critical issues.”

Telehealth

Southcoast Health’s Telehealth On Demand gives patients in Massachusetts access to a Southcoast Health provider through the convenience of phone or video telehealth visits. It’s an option for quality medical care when face-to-face visits with a provider are not possible. You do NOT have to be a Southcoast Health patient to book a telehealth appointment.

The Bottom Line

This season, choose the right level of care so you can get the help you need without unnecessary delays. Planning ahead can make wait times easier to handle. Bring a book or something to keep you comfortable while you wait.

And remember, you can help protect yourself by staying up to date with annual flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. Pair those shots with healthy habits like frequent handwashing, improving indoor airflow, and staying home when you feel under the weather, and you’ll be well-equipped to keep the seasonal bugs at bay.

Special note: We understand that waiting can be difficult when you’re not feeling well. Please remember that we should all treat each other with kindness and respect. Southcoast Health has a Patient and Guest Code of Conduct in place to help improve everyone’s experience.