Reduce the Spread: Flu Vaccine, Hand Hygiene Key for Your Family

Here’s one New Year’s goal that you should keep if you haven’t already achieved it: get your flu vaccine this respiratory viral season. Doing so can reduce your chance of getting sick with flu.

Dr. Mary Beth Saunders, Lee Health’s System Medical Director of Epidemiology, says Lee Health is experiencing a significant rise in influenza activity.

“In December, the number of patients presenting with influenza was three times higher than the previous year,” Dr. Saunders says. “Getting the flu vaccine and practicing proper hand hygiene can help reduce the spread of viral respiratory illnesses."

Handwashing: The five-step process can help you stay healthy. Here’s how.

Please remember these important tips during flu season: Wash your hands frequently, do not touch your eyes and mouth with your hands, stay home when you're sick, and talk with your doctor about getting a flu vaccine. These tips can make a big difference—and might even keep you out of the ER or hospital.

“Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes,” Dr. Saunders notes. “The elderly, children, and those with chronic health problems are more likely to have serious flu complications.”

Every flu season is different, and influenza can affect people differently, but millions of people get flu every year, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands die from flu-related causes every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Have an illness or condition that’s not life-threatening? Know your options to save time and money

No one wants to spend time in a waiting room to see the doctor when they’re feeling lousy. Lee Heath’s Telehealth visits and web tools may help you avoid long waits and save money.

In-person care

In-person care with your primary care physician’s office should be your first stop for questions or concerns. With almost 100 office practice locations in Southwest Florida, here and near for you. Schedule an appointment here or call 239-481-4111.

Virtual Care 24/7

Meet with your care provider from the comfort of your home. Here are your convenient options:

1. Lee Health TeleHealth e-Visits. Your fastest available option for treatment. Answer questions about your symptoms in a 10-minute online interview from the privacy of your phone or computer and receive a treatment plan from a trusted provider—anywhere, anytime. Flat fee: $29. Self-pay only.
2. Lee Health TeleHealth-Demand Video Visit. On-demand video visits can be used for non-emergent medical issues such as colds, minor injuries, prescription refills, or flu-like symptoms. Talk with your provider or clinic scheduler to see if an on-demand virtual care visit is an option for you. You must have a MyChart account to start a Lee TeleHealth On-Demand Video Visit.
3. Lee TeleHealth Scheduled Video Visits. Provides scheduled live video consultations with your primary care provider or specialist.
4. Symptom checker. Choose a symptom, and we'll connect you to the appropriate care options based on your condition.

Urgent Care: 7 days a week

Lee Health Convenient Care is a good choice for medical issues that need same-day attention but are not emergencies. Get treatment for common illnesses, including allergies, cold and flu, ear infections, labs, TB tests, IVs, EKGs, respiratory Illness, skin ailments, strep throat, and urinary tract infections. Each site has X-ray capabilities for fractures and broken bones (not protruding through the skin).

Find a facility near you for non-life-threatening conditions.

How long will you have to wait? Click here for the current convenient care wait times. 

Mobile Urgent Care: DispatchHealth

The DispatchHealth house call team arrives at your door ready and able to treat a wide variety of illnesses. This same-day in-home urgent care is available by appointment and without a referral. Call 239-322-3435 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Learn all the details you need at our Get Care Now page.