Right Care, Right Time, Right Place
Aspirus Health Offers Guidance for Respiratory Illness Season
12/9/2024
Dr. Alex Trecartin, Aspirus Family Medicine Physician
As the “most
wonderful time of the year” arrives, it also ushers in the busy season for
respiratory illnesses like colds, flu, and COVID-19. With more patients seeking
care during this time, Aspirus Health is providing important guidance to help
individuals navigate their care options, ensuring timely treatment and reducing
wait times.
Know When to Stay
Home: For mild symptoms such as a runny nose or low fever, self-care at home is
often sufficient. Aspirus
Family Medicine Physician Dr. Alex Trecartin advises, “If you’re
experiencing respiratory symptoms and you’re unsure whether you should seek
in-person care, you can call our nurse triage line, which can help direct you
to the best venue for your care.” The Aspirus Nurse Contact Center is available
24/7 at 715.843.1236 with no charge.
Start with Primary
Care: Aspirus recommends that patients first contact their primary care office
when non-emergency care is needed. If your regular provider is unavailable,
other providers in the clinic may be able to offer timely care.
Walk-In and Urgent
Care: For worsening symptoms, such as a persistent cough or high fever, Aspirus
walk-in and urgent care clinics are a good option. These clinics provide fast,
in-person care for conditions that don’t require emergency treatment but still
need attention.
Virtual Care
Options: Aspirus offers convenient e-visits through MyAspirus for
conditions like pink eye, sinus problems, rashes, and recurring urinary tract
infections. “An e-visit is an asynchronous visit where a patient answers some
questions at home, submits those for review by a licensed healthcare provider,
who then gets back to them with a response—either to treat their condition or
recommend that they be seen in person,” explains Dr. Trecartin.
When to Seek
Emergency Care: Aspirus reminds patients that emergency departments are for
serious, life-threatening conditions, such as chest pain, severe difficulty
breathing, or serious injuries. “If too many people who do not have medical
emergencies go to the emergency department, it slows down care for everybody,”
says Dr. Trecartin.
As respiratory
illnesses continue to rise, planning for care can help ensure timely attention
while reducing wait times for others in need of urgent care. For more
information on care options, visit aspirus.org/right-care.
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