Seasonal Respiratory Virus Information (updated FEB 1, 2023)

RESPIRATORY SEASONAL OFFICE PROTOCOLS (2022/2023)

We are always here for you and will ensure you get the care you need, when you need it. However, our office (like most) is experiencing much higher patient calls and visits than usual before the pandemic. There continue to be significant covid-related demands on top of the already considerable workload on primary care, as well as the after effects of 3 years of delayed and deferred surgeries and procedures. There is also now a high seasonal respiratory virus burden. We appreciate that you continue to be patient with us as we work hard to help you. ANY TYPE OF VERBAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE OR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
When booking an appointment, we ask that you please let the staff know if you have a fever or new/worsening cough. To avoid the potential spread of infection, DO NOT go to the clinic without first calling. This will help our staff to do the right things to care for you and for the other people in the clinic at that time. 
Kindly contact your pharmacist for your routine prescription renewals. The doctors need 2 weeks for prescription requests. 
Please do not email the office regarding urgent or time-sensitive matters. For more information, please see the resource section of this website to review our policies and procedures regarding electronic communications.
Please continue to follow the current guidance of Public Health on the need for self-isolation, such as staying at home, masking, avoiding close contact with others, and washing your hands vigilantly. We appreciate your help in this matter and look forward to keeping our clinic a safe place for al. We still require masking in office to reduce transmission and to protect our vulnerable patients. PLEASE BRING A FACE MASK TO ALL OF YOUR IN PERSON APPOINTMENTS

SEEKING TREATMENT

While many people with the flu, COVID-19 or other viral infections will recover on their own, others (e.g., infants/children, seniors, and those with underlying medical conditions) are more prone to complications.
Please get your flu and covid-19 shots and see our covid-19 vaccine section for more details about the covid-19 vaccine. 
Our daily after hours clinics are for immediate medical concerns after hours only. Do not walk in. You may be offered a phone, virtual or office visit. You must bring a face covering or mask and only an essential care giver will be permitted to accompany a patient. The number to call regarding our daily after-hours clinics is 905-635-2344.
Continue to access the Emergency Room if you think your medical issue is an emergency.
To determine when your child should go to the ER this website is a useful tool: https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/clinics-services-programs/emergency-care.aspx
If you think/know that YOU OR YOUR CHILD has covid-19 and want to know when to call your doctor:  https://www.dfcm.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/assets/files/q2whentocallfinal2_0.pdf
Tips on Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms: https://www.ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/files/ocfp_actionsparentscantake.pdf

UPDATE ON COVID-19 TREATMENTS (including paxlovid)

Some of you have reached out asking about treatments for COVID-19. Here are the key things to know:
  • Most people with COVID-19 symptoms will just need to self-isolate and rest, drink plenty of fluids and take analgesics (as needed) for headaches or muscle aches. This resource https://dfcm.utoronto.ca/confused-about-covid, available in multiple languages, answers many of the most common questions about COVID-19 – including when to call the doctor’s office. There is also very useful information on the OCFP website: https://www.ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/covid-19/public
  • If you are over a certain age and/or have health problems, treatment may be an option for you based on your risk for severe illness. If you are at higher risk and have mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, please call our office or your pharmacist right away so we can determine whether you should be referred for treatment. Depending on the medication, they must be taken within five to seven days of first symptoms. See If I get COVID, is there a medication I can take? https://dfcm.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/assets/files/Q11_COVID
  • Call 911 if you have severe symptoms, such as: you are short of breath while resting or if you are finding if harder and harder to breathe, have severe chest pain, feeling confused or losing consciousness. 
  • You can also self-refer to a Clinical Assessment Centre – list of CACs here. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-location
  • You may be at higher risk if you are any of the following:
    • 60 years of age or older
    • 18 years of age or older and are immunocompromised
    • 18 – 59 years old and at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 including having:
      • one or more underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease), or
      • inadequate immunity against COVID-19 from:
        • not receiving a full primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine
        • having received a full primary series but no COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection within the past six months.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES BELOW
(November 7, 2022) INFORMATION ABOUT LONG COVID 
(November 7, 2022) PEDIATRIC FEVER
(JAN 21, 2022) CONFUSED ABOUT COVID – UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO FAMILY MEDICINE
(JAN 6, 2022) MARATHON FAMILY HEALTH TEAM ALGORITHM
(JAN 4, 2022) ONTARIO PUBLIC HEALTH
(DEC 23, 2021) Halton Public Health
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