Determining when to go to the hospital or seek medical care can be a challenge, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. You may find yourself afraid to go, even when it's necessary.
Now more than ever, it is important to keep yourself healthy. Keeping yourself healthy means addressing health problems as they arise. Getting urgent help when needed is especially important for
strokes,
heart attacks and life-threatening emergencies. Outcomes for these medical emergencies are tied to how quickly the patient receives care, so delaying getting treatment due to coronavirus fears can have serious consequences.
Emergency departments, urgent care centers and doctors’ offices are all safely providing care to those that need it. Call your doctor if you are feeling ill. Go to the hospital if you experience symptoms of any life-threatening illnesses, not just for
emergency warning signs of coronavirus.
Symptoms of a medical emergency include:
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
- Fainting, sudden dizziness or weakness
- Changes in vision
- Confusion or changes in mental status
- Any sudden or severe pain
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Difficulty speaking
The stay-at-home order is an important part of containing coronavirus spread. However, stay-at-home orders do not apply to people experiencing medical emergencies or those who need urgent medical care. If you need care, you should go to the hospital.
Please do not ignore your body. Warning signs and symptoms should be discussed with your doctor or evaluated at an urgent care or ER, depending on the severity of symptoms.
If you or someone you know are experiencing a medical emergency, call or text 9-1-1.
Loudoun County encourages residents to stay informed about COVID-19.
- Visit loudoun.gov/coronavirus for more information about how to protect yourself and your family and to sign up for email and text updates on COVID-19.
- Text LCCOVID19 to 888777 to receive text alerts from Loudoun County about COVID-19.
- Text LCCOVIDESP to 888777 to receive text messages in Spanish from Loudoun County about COVID-19.
Residents with questions about COVID-19 may call the Loudoun County Health Department’s information line, 703-737-8300, or send an
email.
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