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Emergency rooms, urgent cares and doctor’s offices across northern Michigan are reporting an uptick in COVID cases.
For some patients, it may be similar to dealing with a cold. But for others, it poses a real risk.
A Munson Healthcare physician shares what he is seeing everyday and what all of us should keep in mind moving forward.
“We’re starting to enter into a viral season. It seems more and more, the viral season never ends,” said Dr. William Britton.
Some people call it fall. Fancy folks call it Autumn.
But here at Munson Medical Center, the experts call it viral season.
“We’re definitely seeing an uptick. We haven’t necessarily seen an uptick in hospitalizations, although we have had hospitalizations for COVID,” Dr. Britton said.
Right now, there are only a handful of COVID-related hospitalizations here.
But daily folks are walking through the doors at the ER often with all the telltale symptoms.
“Runny nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, fevers,” Dr. Britton said.
It’s not just a Traverse City thing.
According to the CDC, nationwide the number of COVID cases is actually dipping.
But dig deeper into the numbers and zoom in a little, and there are five states, pockets of COVID infections, that are on the rise.
Michigan is one of them.
“Our tests are pretty good. They’re very sensitive and specific for COVID. Meaning that they if you have COVID, it’s going to pick it up,” Dr. Britton said.
And if it does, barring difficulty breathing, check with your doctor and take some steps for yourself.
“In general, the guidelines would, for most respiratory viruses, would be to stay at home until your symptoms are improving and your fever-free without medications for about 24 hours,” Dr. Britton said.
It’s COVID that’s getting some attention now, but flu and RSV are right around the corner.
“We need to take all these very seriously,” Dr. Britton said.
And one of the best ways to do that…
“I mean, we should always be washing our hands, right?” Dr. Britton said.
Stay clean, stay up to date with vaccinations, and if your sick, stay home and follow some sage advice.
“I always rely on what my grandmother would tell me, or your grandmother would tell you: Tylenol, ibuprofen, stay hydrated with fluids, stay at home, watch Wheel of Fortune, eat chicken soup. They knew what they were talking about,” Dr. Britton said.
If you have symptoms, contact your health care provider for the appropriate course of action, especially if you have shortness of breath.
Talk to your doctor or health care provider about the most recent COVID vaccine to learn more.
Regardless on where you end up, frequent hand washing and staying home if you feel sick is strongly advised.