Dignity Health | St. Rose Dominican | Reach | Winter 2019

6 StRoseHospitals.org Stay safe: Who’s most at risk? The flu can sometimes turn serious. “Antiviral medicines are advised in the first 48 hours after symptoms start, especially for people at risk of flu complications,” says Ekatarina Pletinskaya, MD, a family medicine physician with the Dignity Health Urgent Care Center. Those most at risk include: Achoo! Is it a cold or the flu? Cold (usually milder than flu) Flu (usually lasts longer, worse than cold symptoms) Runny, stuffy nose (common) Runny, stuffy nose (sometimes) Sneezing (common) Sneezing (sometimes) Sore throat (common) Sore throat (sometimes) Cough (mild to moderate) Cough (common) Fatigue (sometimes) Fatigue (common) Muscle aches (slight) Muscle aches (common) Headache (rare) Headache (common) Fever (rare) Fever (common) Chills (uncommon) Chills (fairly common) Need help quick? The Dignity Health Urgent Care Center in Henderson is here from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Call 702.616.7780 for information. Some cold and flu symptoms are similar. If you’re not feeling well, the following chart can help you decide which of these two illnesses you may have. ●  ● Kids under 5 ●  ● Adults older than 65 ●  ● People with weak immune systems Get the care you need. Are you concerned it’s the flu? When in doubt, see your doctor promptly, especially if you’re in one of the groups at high risk for flu complications. ●  ● People with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or asthma ●  ● Pregnant women Sources: American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ekatarina Pletinskaya, MD