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Bellin Health is encouraging local community members to be mindful about seeking proper care at the right time with the spike in holiday-season illnesses.
The current jump in upper respiratory illnesses is an annual event due to large holiday gatherings and the numerous viruses circulating in the community this time of year.
Bellin Health believes it’s important to share useful information to inform the community about seeking proper care, while making sure to reserve emergency care for the ones who truly need it.
The first important thing to note is that most common colds can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications, ensuring proper hydration, and rest to help quickly heal.
Knowing where and when to seek care for different situations can be confusing.
Bellin has made a guide to help:
Emergency vs. Urgent Care
Life-threatening problems need emergency care. Urgent Care is for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
Emergency Care
- Emergency care is for an injury, illness, or symptom so severe that a delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be hazardous to life or health.
Such life-threatening major illnesses or injuries could include severe chest pain, seizures, loss of awareness, difficulty breathing or severe burns. Patients who are experiencing a life-threatening emergency should call 911 and get to the Emergency Room for appropriate care. Bellin Health Emergency Department locations (Green Bay and Oconto) are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Urgent Care and FastCare
- For situations like broken bones, cuts requiring stitches and minor ailments, patients can usually go to Urgent Care.
This is generally the best place for urgently needed testing for influenza, COVID-19 and other viruses, provided life-threatening symptoms are not present. Bellin Health Urgent Care locations are open seven days a week. Hours and more information are available at bellin.org/urgentcare. Bellin Health FastCare can also provide assessment and treatment for simple acute illnesses, seven days a week. Information is available at bellin.org/fastcare.
Convenient, Accessible Options: Virtual Visits and Bellin Health Fastlane
- Virtual Visits include e-visits and video visits available through the MyBellinHealth patient portal. They are convenient telemedicine options for non-emergent concerns. Most respiratory illnesses can be evaluated through these virtual options.
Bellin Health Fastlane offers drive-through access to a variety of testing options, including blood pressure checks, labs, rapid flu, strep and COVID-19 tests and more. It is open five days a week at Bellin Health Ashwaubenon. Fastlane also offers vaccines and other services. Please note that appointments are required and can be scheduled through the MyBellinHealth patient portal.
Answers and Guidance, 24-7
- Patients who have non-life-threatening symptoms and need guidance on the appropriate level of care may call Bellin’s 24-7 nursing hotline at (920) 445-7373. Bellin also offers a convenient online guide to right care at the right time. This information can be accessed at bellin.org/services/care-options. Vaccines, Prevention Play Key Role Community members are reminded to take an active role in their own health and that of their families during this time of high seasonal illness.
