SPOKANE, Wash. — As respiratory illness rates increase, local healthcare providers are offering guidance on when to seek medical care.
Dr. Amy Anderson of Rockwood Multicare advises that primary care should be the first stop for mild illnesses such as coughs or sinus infections.
For more serious cases, Dr. Anderson suggests urgent care centers, which can handle a broader range of issues and offer tests for flu and COVID. They can also provide IV fluid hydration.
“If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, you can’t breathe, symptoms of stroke…those are appropriate reasons to be in the emergency room,” Dr. Anderson said.
Anderson also emphasizes that vaccines for flu, COVID and RSV are essential in preventing illness, advising not to hesitate to reach out for care when necessary.
