coronavirus.beaconhealthsystem.orgBeacon Health System - Flu, Cold, RSV, or COVID Information

Is it the flu, a cold, RSV or COVID?Beacon Health System Alerts & UpdatesAlerts & UpdatesWelcome to the neighborhood! Start your journey with us Let us be part of your fresh start in finding a health care provider who can meet the needs of you and everyone in your household. Whether it is a physical for a new school or employer, an annual screening, or someone just isn’t feeling well today, we are ready to serve you. Welcome to the neighborhood!Find a provider Get a free recipe booklet MenuSchedule Now Pay Bill Patient Account Sign In Providers Locations Services Health Library News Give Careers PatientsVisitors Providers Locations Services Health Library News Give Careers PatientsVisitors Schedule Now Pay Bill be_ixf;ym_202405 d_10; ct_50 be_ixf; php_sdk; php_sdk_1.4.26 https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/services/medical/is-it-the-flu-a-cold-rsv-or-covid/ https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/services/medical/is-it-the-flu-a-cold-rsv-or-covid/ HomeServicesIs it the flu, a cold, RSV or COVID? Is it the flu, a cold, RSV or COVID? These respiratory illnesses have overlapping symptoms, so it might be hard to identify what you’re dealing with. Don’t worry – we can help you identify your symptoms and get you back on track. Visit your health care provider or an urgent care near you and feel better soon. Urgent Care Telehealth Find a Provider Respiratory illnesses COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by different viruses, but are spread in similar ways. They also cause similar symptoms. Both usually include a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose. But, a headache is usually present with COVID, but rarely with a cold. COVID-19, cold, allergies and the flu: What are the differences? Then there is Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes an infection in the lungs and respiratory tract. Symptoms in adults and older, healthy kids, are usually pretty mild and are much like the common cold. But in people with compromised immune systems or very young children, RSV can cause a severe infection. More about RSV in our health library. Flu You wake up with a sore throat and by afternoon you have aches and chills, your nose is running and you are exhausted. Is it the flu? Common cold You think it’s a cold … it isn’t your first one. But you don’t want to have something more serious, either. How do you know for sure? RSV You’ve heard about RSV, but aren’t really sure what it is. Your child woke up in the night with a low-grade fever. Is it serious? COVID-19 This illness can mimic the flu, but what if you lost your smell or have digestive problems. You’ve been vaccinated. Should you test? Coronavirus (COVID-19) At Beacon Health System, we are committed to exceptional, safe care for patients and support of our frontline healthcare heroes who work to meet our community’s critical medical needs. Our key experts continuously review new care guidelines and regional case status while ensuring our staff has the necessary equipment to provide the safest care possible. About testing for COVID-19 If you need to test for COVID-19, Beacon encourages you to contact your county health department for testing availability near you, to order free tests through the government or to buy a test at a drug store. If you are having complications related to coronavirus symptoms, contact your Primary Care Provider for an appointment. Should you need immediate attention, your provider can put in an order for you to be tested through one of our MedPoint Urgent Care locations. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control website for the most current information on testing and what to do if you have a positive result. Vaccines If you need an updated vaccine for the flu, RSV or COVID-19, you can get one at various locations in the community. Vaccine and immunization schedules can be found on the CDC website. Where to get vaccinated: CDC vaccine locations Your county health department Local drugstore If you have questions, contact your primary care provider. Note: COVID-19 vaccines are not available at MedPoint locations. Resources COVID Michigan Department of HealthHuman Services Indiana District 2 (find links for county health departments) Indiana Department of Health Centers for Disease Control RSV Centers for Disease Control FLU Centers for Disease Control Recent news and inspiring stories Tick Talk: Beacon expert shares how to remove a tick and monitor for signs of a health problem May 3, 2024 An unwelcome visitor from the past: Understanding shingles May 1, 2024 Beacon Scholar program helped Elkhart General nurse carry on a family legacy April 25, 2024 Tips for safe spring cleaning April 24, 2024 Beacon orthopedic surgeon helps patient feel relief from chronic hip pain April 19, 2024 Our Take: Beacon experts share how to talk with your children about a cancer diagnosis April 19, 2024Staffing Current Associates Residency Medical Professionals Careers Physician Recruiting Administrative Fellowship Community Foundation Volunteers Sunburst CHNA / Community Impact Care Coordination Services Medical Health and Fitness Business Transfer Center Price Transparency PatientsVisitors Patient Portal ParkingMaps Checking-in Amenities Rights (current)Privacy Safety (current)Care Rights, Privacy, SafetyNews News Stories Alerts Patient Stories Coronavirus Caring for our Community ClassesEvents Media Center © 2024 Beacon Health System || Contact Us | Diversity, Equity & InclusionDisclaimer | Notice of Privacy Practices | Website Privacy Statement | Notice of Non-Discriminationof your home...