Preparing for your Next Appointment (COVID-19 Edition)
We all know COVID-19 has become an emerging threat across the country. Controlling the spread of infectious viruses is now even more important than before.
At Advanced Allergy & Asthma, we are taking every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of our patients, staff and visitors. For this reason, anyone who is concerned about exposure to coronavirus or has flu-like symptoms should stay home and limit contact with others until said symptoms resolve.
If you have you been in contact with any known positives in the last 2 weeks or are experiencing any of the following flu-like symptoms, please DO NOT come to the clinic and call the office to reschedule your appointment:
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- New onset or change in cough
- Fever
- Body aches
- Recent loss of taste or smell
Our Internal Efforts
Please know, we are taking the following extra precautions within our clinic:
- Screening staff and sending home anyone with the above-mentioned symptoms
- All staff members are required to wear protective masks
- Regularly cleaning/disinfecting all surfaces
- Using hand sanitizer or washing hands before and after all patient contact
Preparing for Your Next Appointment
Please be prepared to follow our new safety guidelines at your next appointment.
- Only the patient is allowed into the clinic for office visits or allergy shots unless they are a minor or are unable to make medical decisions.
- Patients are required to wear a mask or face covering at all times. Please keep your nose and mouth covered.
- Be prepared to have your temperature taken when you arrive.
- Upon arrival you will be asked the following questions:
- Have you had chills or a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater in the last 48 hours?
- Do you have Cough/Shortness of Breath?
- Have you had Pneumonia or flu in the last 30 days?
- Do you have a Sore Throat or Loss of Taste or Smell?
- Do you have new onset of muscle aches, not explained by exercise or activity?
- Have you traveled out of Arkansas in the last 14 days? If yes, When/Where?
- Have you had contact with anyone who has lab confirmed Novel Coronavirus or is currently being tested within 14 days of them having symptom onset?
- Have you been tested for Covid-19 in the last 30 days? If yes, when?
- Maintain social distancing and avoid unnecessary contact where possible.
For information regarding COVID-19 and immunodeficiencies, click the link to watch a video from the Immune Deficiency Foundation:
https://primaryimmune.org/news/covid-19-video-update-march-10
For information regarding COVID-19 and asthma, click the link for tips from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
https://community.aafa.org/blog/coronavirus-2019-ncov-flu-what-people-with-asthma-need-to-know
Information from the CDC
If you have been to a city, state or country where a community spread outbreak of the Coronavirus has been reported, please contact your medical provider.
Visit www.cdc.gov periodically to stay up-to-date on Coronavirus information.
What you need to know about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Coronavirus disease is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhun, China. It is currently spreading through many countries, including the United States. If you have been to a city, state or country where a community spread outbreak of the Coronavirus has been reported, please contact your medical provider.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of COVID-19 have been reported from mild to severe illness and may appear 2-14 days after exposure has occurred. You can help stop the spread of this disease by knowing the signs and symptoms.
- Fever
- Cough
- New onset of Shortness of Breath
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
How is it spread?
The virus is mainly thought to be spread from person to person:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
- Possibly through touching a surface or object that has been touched by an infected person
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the virus. The CDC recommends these everyday preventative actions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw that away
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home when you are sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
PLAN A VISIT
We’d love to meet with you to address your allergy concerns.