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Local emergency rooms crowded due to rise in patients with flu, cold symptoms

Posted at 2:08 PM, Jan 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-25 14:10:29-05

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. – Sentara hospital emergency departments are getting crowded due to an increase in patients with cold and flu symptoms, according to a hospital spokesperson.

The hospital is asking patients to consider the severity of their symptoms before heading to the ER:

Primary Care Doctor’s Office or MDLIVE

Patients experiencing mild symptoms should call their primary care doctor’s office to schedule an appointment for consultation or use MDLIVE. Mild symptoms may include a low-grade fever and/or body aches.

 Urgent Care

Patients experiencing moderate symptoms should seek care at an Urgent Care location. Moderate symptoms may include a persistent low-grade fever, congestion, sore throat and/or headache.

 Emergency Department

Patients experiencing severe symptoms are asked to seek care immediately at the Emergency Department nearest them. Severe symptoms may include difficulty breathing, confusion, persistent low-grade fever or worsening high-grade fever and/or patients with preexisting medical conditions.