Flu season can be miserable enough, but sitting in a crowded doctor’s office or urgent care center with a bunch of sick people can actually make you feel worse since there are varying strains of the flu you can be further exposed to. That’s why being able to stay in the comfort of your own bed and arrange a video chat doctor consultation can seem like the best medicine ever!
The same concept can apply to busy Mom’s and Dad’s who don’t want to have to take a sick child out of bed to sit in a doctor’s office for hours. And in many cases perhaps having to bring healthy siblings of the sick child along for the appointment exposing them to a waiting room full of sick children, this too can even be a serious health hazard to children under two years of age. With a video chat doctor appointment all those nightmare scenarios don’t exist.
How A Video Chat Doctor Will Treat The Flu
The scheduled video chat appointment will take place much like any doctor appointment would with a basic question and answer session with you and your doctor face to face on your computer or Smartphone screen. Doctors can assess your temperature, see how you are breathing, your pallor and ability to communicate and then prescribe a treatment plan based on your symptoms and medical history. For simple ailments such as the flu your doctor will likely prescribe rest and fluids and perhaps some over the counter medication to help with any mild fever and the discomfort you may be experiencing associated from the symptoms of the flu.
What Information You Will Need To Have Ready For The Doctor
To be prepared before your video chat consultation begins it is advisable to prepare a list of your symptoms so you won’t forget anything the doctor should know; that would include when the symptoms began, what your temperature is, breathing difficulty, chest pain, if you have diarrhea or bloody stools and whether you are able to keep down food and fluids. Include any allergies you may have to medications.
What Kind Of Resolution Can I Expect From The Doctor
Remember that for simple ailments such as the flu your doctor will likely only prescribe rest and fluids and perhaps some over the counter medication to help with any mild fever and the discomfort you may be experiencing associated with the flu, so don’t expect that you will be prescribed a prescription drug.
Although telemedicine doctors are permitted to write prescriptions for the patients they consult with in most states, this is not true in all. The doctor will determine if a prescription drug is required in your treatment plan or not, the doctor is under no obligation to prescribe you a medication unless he or she finds it medically necessary.
Most companies that offer video chat doctor consultations will allow the patient any follow up questions you may have up to seven days after your initial consult with the doctor; and of course will advise you to consult your primary care physician or urgent care center if your condition should get worse after treatment.
