COVID 19
PLEASE NOTE: Offices in the Couchiching Family Health Team building are NOT performing testing for the COVID-19 virus.
If you have a fever and/or new or worsening cough PLUS any of the following within 14 days prior to onset of illness:
- Have travelled to a COVID-19 impacted or
- Have been in close contact with a confirmed or probable/clinical case of COVID-19 or
- Had close contact with a person with acute respiratory illness who has been to an impacted area
PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING- Please go to the nearest Assessment Centre. For more information about local assessment clinics, please go to: Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Family Doctor Tips on Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms
Most respiratory illness in children, including colds, influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and COVID-19 can be managed at home without the need for prescription medications. However, in some cases, it is important to seek medical care. Below, family doctors share tips on how to decide when to seek care for a respiratory illness and how to support your child at home.
Call your family doctor if your child:
• Has a fever lasting 72 hours or longer.
• Has a fever that went away for a day or longer (without fever medication) and then came back.
• Is unusually irritable and won’t stop fussing, even after treating their fever.
• Has an earache lasting more than 48 hours.
• Is not eating or drinking. Note that it’s normal to eat and drink less when sick. Liquids are more important than food.
• Has special needs that make caring for them more difficult.
As a parent or guardian, you know your child best. If you feel your child needs to be seen by a family doctor, please reach out for help.
Call 911 or go to the emergency department when:
• You are worried that your child is seriously ill.
• Your infant, younger than three months old, has a fever.
• Your child is struggling to breathe or is breathing faster than normal.
• You are concerned that your child is at risk of dehydration or is dehydrated.
These are only some examples of when to seek emergency care. Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) has more information to help decide if your child needs emergency care. For more information specific to COVID-19 and children, including rare complications, see My Child Has COVID. What Should I Know? in the Confused About COVID series
Not sure what to do? Health Connect Ontario has a symptom checker and the option to chat live with a nurse. You can also call 811 to speak with a nurse, available 24 hours a day.
Helping your child at home
• Fever: Treat fever or pain with over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if your child can take it — and if it is available.
• Red eyes and discharge: These symptoms almost always go away on their own, without antibiotic drops or other medication. Warm compresses and artificial tears can help reduce discomfort.
• Stuffy and runny nose: Try saline rinsing sprays, a humidifier or a nasal aspirator.
• Earache: If you notice your child tugging on their ear, they may have an earache. Get assessed if your child’s earache lasts more than 48-72 hours, if there is discharge from the ear or they have had more than 2-3 ear infections in the last year.
• Cough: Treat a cough with a humidifier or the steam from a shower. If the cough sounds like a bark, cool outside air may help. If your child is at least one year old, you can give them 1-2 teaspoons of honey in the evening.
• Fluids: Make sure your child gets enough fluids, including water, soups, sports drinks or even popsicles. Breastmilk/formula is enough for young babies who do not drink other fluids.
Tips to stay healthy and prevent illness
• Wear a mask (and have your child wear a mask) when in crowded, public indoor spaces.
• Wash your hands often and well; use hand sanitizer when washing is not possible.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands.
• Stay home and keep your child home when they are sick, especially in the first couple of days when most infectious.
• Get the flu shot and keep COVID-19 doses up to date.
Taken from "Family Doctor Tips on Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms" Ontario College of Family Physicians.
RESOURCES
For helpful resources in your community, related to COVID-19 please go to https://www.osmh.on.ca/covid-19/
Click here for the Ontario Medical Association COVID Clearance Attestation Forms- Return to Work and Return to School/Childcare. For valuable information about self-isolation, self monitoring and caring household members or close contacts that are in self isolation, please see the fact sheets below:
Self isolation: Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts
Cold Remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Take Care of Yourself and Others
A Guide to Physical Distancing
LOOKING FOR A FAMILY DOCTOR?
We encourage you to register with Health Care Connect to connect you to a physician that is currently accepting patients.
About US
Our Team consists of Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and health care providers such as Chiropodists, Dietitians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers. We provide primary care services to patients in the Orillia and surrounding areas.
We commit to providing the best possible care to our patients through all stages of life. Our team focuses on promoting wellness and self-management. We do this through education, on-going support, counselling and workshops. Disease prevention, management, and rehabilitation will keep our community healthy and active. Our Team works with you and your family by providing support and resources through our specialized programs.
“Working Together, Enhancing Care”. This is our commitment to all our patients and their families.
Enhancing Care.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
