FEVER
  • Proceed to the ER if you have:
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Vomiting or diarrhea
    • Severe headache or a stiff neck
  • Contact your physician if:
    • You are unable to bring your fever below 103
    • You have fever lasting longer than 2 days
    • You have rash with the fever
    • You have signs of skin infection (redness, swelling, tenderness)
  • If the above do not apply to you, treat your symptoms with:
    • Acetaminophen/Tylenol
    • Drink plenty of fluids
COUGH AND CONGESTION
  • Procced to the ER if you have difficulty breathing
  • Contact your physician if you have:
    • Significant fever
    • Worsening thick mucus or phlegm
    • Cough that interferes with sleep
    • Cough that persists for a week
  • If the above do not apply to you, manage symptoms by:
    • Drinking plenty of fluids
    • Refraining from exercise
    • Taking over the counter cough medications
      • Expectorants (guaifenesin)
      • Cough suppressants (dextromethorphan)
GASTROINTESTINAL ILLNESS (vomiting and/or diarrhea)
  • Proceed to the ER if:
    • You have persistent abdominal pain
    • Signs of dehydration (dizzy/lightheadedness, sunken eyes, weakness)
  • Contact your physician if:
    • Your illness is lasting longer than 2 days
    • You have bloody diarrhea
    • You have fever of 102 or higher
  • If the above do not apply to you, manage your symptoms by:
    • Drinking plenty of fluids (sports drink, clear liquids, broth)
    • Eating bland foods (crackers, toast, scrambled eggs, applesauce)
HEADACHE/DIZZINESS
  • Proceed to the ER if you have:
    • Severe headach
    • Weakness or numbness in any part of your body
    • Blurred vision
  • Contact your physician if:
    • You have headache with fever or vomiting
    • Headache lasting longer than 2 days
    • Dizziness that interferes with daily activities
  • If the above do not apply to you, manage symptoms by:
    • Taking  over the counter pain relievers
    • Resting in a quiet, darkened room
    • Applying heating pad or ice to your neck and shoulders
DIABETES
  • Proceed to the ER if:
    • You have persistent low blood sugar associated with confusion
    • Loss of consciousness
    • Rapid breathing
  • Contact your physician if you have:
    • Increased thirst
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Trembling or weakness
    • Persistently elevated blood sugar
    • Recurrent low blood sugar
  • If none of the above apply to you, manage your  symptoms by:
    • Monitoring your blood sugars as instructed by your doctor
    • Taking medications as prescribed by your doctor
    • Wearing a medical alert bracelet or equivalent
ASTHMA
  • Proceed to the ER if you have:
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Persistent wheezing
  • Contact your physician if:
    • You have shortness of breath that interferes with your daily activities
    • You need increased doses of your rescue medication
  • If none of the above apply to you, manage your symptoms by:
    • Taking your maintenance and rescue medications as prescribed
    • Avoiding cigarette smoke and other irritants
    • Avoiding exercise when asthma is flaring up
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
  • Proceed to the ER if you have difficulty breathing or chest discomfort
  • Contact your physician if you have:
    • Weight gain
    • Worsening swelling of ankles
    • Shortness of breath when lying down or waking from sleep with shortness of breath
    • Worsening of ability to exercise, e.g. climbing stairs
  • If none of the above apply to you, manage your symptoms by:
    • Avoiding excessive salt in your diet
    • Taking medications as prescribed
    • Weighing yourself daily
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
  • Proceed to the ER if you have:
    • Severe headache
    • Persistent nosebleed
    • Chest pain
  • Contact your physician if you have BPs that are higher than your typical reading
  • If none of the above apply to you, manage your symptoms by:
    • Monitoring your BP regularly
      • Rest several minutes before checking it
  • Avoiding excessive salt in your diet
  • Maintaining a regular exercise routine
  • Taking BP medication as prescribed