COVID-19

 

Covid-19 updates

People who are healthy can schedule in-person appointments.
We are all required to wear a mask in health clinics.
We have masks available if you need one.

Telemedicine or telephone visits are available for anyone who prefers these options, or if you are sick. Insurance coverage for telemedicine visits is similar to in-person visits. However, some insurance companies have been giving us end dates for when they will no longer cover telemedicine visits. Determining these end dates for your specific insurance company and plan are ultimately your responsibility, though we will help as much as we can with the information available to us. Telemedicine visits cannot be done for people outside the state of Oregon at time of service. Coverage for phone visits varies depending on your plan, so please check with your company to determine coverage, and be prepared to pay our cash price if insurance does not cover the billed costs.

Testing for Covid-19 is available at this time in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority website has information about testing sites. It is best to call ahead to determine their policies and schedule a time. Vaccine information can be found there as well.

Some providers are requiring Covid-19 testing prior to having an in-person visit. If you are needing a referral to a specialist, it is likely you will be required to be tested prior to that visit.

Even with all of the procedural precautions we have adopted, there remains the possibility that our doctors and staff could test positive for Covid-19. Depending on the state of regulations and requirements at that time, this may cause the clinic to close for in-person care, as would any potentially serious contagious illness. We will do everything we can to keep this time to a minimum and stay in touch about developments as they come.

Thank you for your attention and conversation as we all move through this together.

More on COVID-19

 

​TRANSMISSION

 

Corona viruses cause the common cold. This strain makes some people sicker than usual and has a higher death rate in vulnerable populations. Transmission is through respiratory droplets that travel through the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes.

 

SYMPTOMS

 

The initial symptoms are very similar to every cold and flu virus that travels through the population, and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. At this time, if a person has these symptoms then testing is available.

 

DIAGNOSIS

 

There are many locations for accessing testing including local urgent cares and clinics. We can help coordinate this care for you. Call if you have symptoms or need to be tested for other reasons, including travel, or return to work.

 

PREVENTION

 

  • Wash hands and do not touch your face

  • Eat healthy food with a minimum of sugar and processed foods

  • Sleep adequately - usually 7-8 hours per night for adults, and up to 12 hours or more at night for children

  • Hydrate with beverages that do not contain sugar or caffeine

  • Exercise to your tolerance

  • Do not smoke or put yourself in situations with second hand smoke as it is a potent immune suppressive and weakens the lungs

Supplements to discuss with your healthcare provider:

  • Methylated multivitamin

  • Selenium

  • Astragalus

  • Anti-viral herbs

  • Gargle with salt water or apple cider vinegar twice daily

  • Elderberry syrup

  • Daily probiotic

  • Vitamin A

  • Vitamin D

  • Hydrotherapy

The list is long…..and can be tailored to your specific health.

TREATMENT

If you have the onset of symptoms consistent with upper respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness-of-breath, body ache), please contact your provider by phone. Arrangements to consult by phone with the doctor to help provide appropriate care will be made. Remember this is a viral infection and antibiotics will not help. In fact, they often weaken your own defenses and make you more susceptible to severe illness.

Most otherwise healthy people will experience COVID-19 like every other viral illness they have had in their life. If you have a weakened immune system for any reason including age, illness, immune suppression, lung problems, or chronic illness, among others, then this could be more serious for you and taking preventative measures is more important.

If you are prone to lung infections, you should be especially careful and report symptoms early, as this infection has a specificity for the lungs. There are things that can be done ahead to protect the lungs and decrease susceptibility.

Many over-the-counter medicines that are easily available, will both prolong illness and suppress your body’s ability to fight infection effectively. Do not suppress your fever, decrease your snot production, or give your body false energy by taking over-the-counter medicines. Those things will make it seem like you are less sick than you are, leading you to push yourself when you should be resting, and mask your symptoms, making both diagnosis and treatment more difficult. These medicines can prolong illness by decreasing your natural healing mechanisms. Contact your provider about when their use might be appropriate.

Contact your provider if you have questions, feel you are part of a vulnerable population, or have symptoms of illness. The CDC and OHA websites have information about cases counts and what testing is available. Avoid getting information from places that make you fearful and stressed. High stress levels increases your susceptibility to infection.

For updated information from the CDC please visit their website. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html