Should I Book an Appointment?
SEASONAL FLU-LIKE AND OTHER RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES
We are seeing a spike in respiratory illness, especially in children, and receiving a high volume of calls for appointments. Please see the information below to help you understand what you can do at home, when you should call our office and when you need to go to the emergency room.
What You Can do at Home
Most people with respiratory symptoms – whether from flu, COVID, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), or other infections – will recover on their own and do not require prescription medication. We recommend patients self-isolate and rest, drink plenty of fluids and take analgesics (as needed) for headaches or muscle aches until they are better.
When to Contact Our Office
· There are special considerations for respiratory illness in children. Family Doctor Tips on Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms is a resource which answers many common questions – including when to call the doctor’s office.
· If your child are at higher risk for complications from respiratory illnesses, please click here to review your eligibility for a SETFHT Sick Children’s Consultation with our Nurse. We can determine through this phone consultation whether you need to be seen and should be prescribed treatment.
· You may be offered a virtual appointment if it is appropriate for you. This is one way we can determine if you need to be seen in person.
Fever and Pain medication
Children’s fever and pain medication have been in short supply. Some pharmacies will maintain a supply behind the counter, or may be able to provide alternate options without a prescription (i.e., chewable tablets, suppositories). See this tip sheet created by pharmacists and children’s hospitals. The Pharmasave at 840 Coxwell has been compounding children formulations so may have medication available.
Pain-medication-Information-for-families-and-caregiversTo download a copy of this tip sheet, please click HERE
WHEN TO SEEK OUT IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
Emergency rooms are currently facing capacity issues. However, in some cases, it is the only place to get the right care.
If you have an emergency that requires immediate care you should go directly to the nearest Emergency Room, or call 911, as appropriate for your concern.
Some examples of reasons to seek immediate care include (but are not limited to):
- Chest pains or racing heartbeat
- Breathing problems
- Neck stiffness or severe headache
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Loss or change of vision
- Numbness or weakness of the face or body
- New confusion or memory problems
- Vomiting and inability to drink fluids
- Fever/severe pain that is not improved with acetaminophen/ibuprofen (i.e. Tylenol/Advil)
- Serious injuries (i.e. bleeding that won’t stop, deep cuts, head injury)
- Possible major broken bones (i.e. bones or joints look different, cannot put weight on injury)
- Inability to walk
- New or worsening seizures
- Pregnancy and labour problems
IN-PERSON MINOR INJURY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISIT:
Scheduling this type of appointment is generally appropriate when:
- A broken bone is suspected (please see the Emergency Department’s website for limitations)
BOOK A MINOR INJURY APPOINTMENT WITH MICHAEL GARRON HOSPTIAL
VIRTUAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS & URGENT AFTER HOURS:
Scheduling this type of appointment is generally appropriate when:
- You have a time sensitive, urgent medical need that is non-life threatening, and you are unable to book a regular or urgent appointment with a SETFHT physician.
Booking with a virtual Emergency Department or Urgent After Hours is NOT appropriate when you have a potentially life-threatening concern. Any option that is solely a virtual appointment is also not appropriate if you will likely need an in-person assessment. Please see the limitations of the emergency departments or clinics as listed on their booking pages:
APPOINTMENTS FOR THOSE UNDER 18
Note that some of these options below will be virtual and some may be in person. Please check each site for details.
ALL AGES
Check each website for any age restrictions they may have.
For a list of other places in the East Toronto area where you could get care and support for urgent but non-life threatening issues, please click HERE.