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New Cough & Cold Line

Due to the increase in respiratory illness in our community -- flu, RSV and COVID-19 -- ChristianaCare has set up a new COUGH & COLD LINE to help you out! If you are 18 and older and don’t feel well, CALL 302-623-7400, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Through a series of prompts, the ChristianaCare COUGH & COLD LINE will provide helpful info on how best to manage your cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms at home. We’ll also guide you on when you should seek care.

Through the ChristianaCare COUGH & COLD LINE, we can help connect you with a ChristianaCare virtual primary care provider.

If your need is more urgent, there are 16 ChristianaCare Go-Health Urgent Care Centers in DE and MD. Save your spot in line or set up a virtual visit.

Antibiotic Use

Influenza

Antibiotics and influenza

Antibiotics and Influenza Flu, COVID-19, or Cold?

Antibiotics and Influenza

Influenza, or flu, is a disease of the nose, throat and lungs that is caused by a virus. This is different from what people might refer to as “stomach flu” which usually presents with symptoms involving the gastrointestinal tract. These symptoms are likely caused by a different virus that is not influenza. If you get the flu, antibiotics won’t help you feel better, because they kill bacteria, not viruses. Using antibiotics when they are not needed can cause more harm, including unwanted side effects and antibiotic resistance.

There are specific medicines, called “antivirals”, that are effective against the flu. Not everyone who has the flu needs to take these medicines – many will get better on their own, just with rest and time.

However, people who are at higher risk of severe flu should talk with their doctor as soon as possible, to see if these medicines would be appropriate for them. Usually, these medicines need to be started within 1-2 days of having symptoms to be effective.

People at risk for severe flu include those who have chronic medical conditions, who are under 2 years or age 65 years or older, or who are pregnant.

For more information, see: What are Flu Antiviral Drugs | CDC

Is it the flu, COVID-19 or just a cold?

The symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and tiredness. Some people, however, can have very few or even no symptoms. It is often hard to tell whether you have the flu, COVID, or just a cold – you may need to see your doctor for testing, if your symptoms are severe or if you are at high risk of severe flu. For more information, see: Cold Versus Flu | Influenza (Flu) | CDC or Similarities and Differences between Flu and COVID-19 | Influenza (Flu) | CDC.

Flu Prevention

Wash your hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand gels.
Avoid close contact with those who have upper respiratory infections.
Consider wearing a mask when in crowded places, particularly indoors (for example, grocery stores).
Cover your mouth with your arm or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, so you don’t infect others.
Wipe down commonly touched surfaces (phones, door handles, etc.) with a disinfecting wipe.
Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes if you haven’t recently cleaned your hands