13/12/2025
🤧 Cold or Flu Symptoms? Use Your Essential Guide! 🌡️
Most viral illnesses resolve spontaneously. Knowing where to seek the most appropriate and timely care is crucial to avoid unnecessarily saturating emergency services.
➡️ STEP 1: Home Management and Prevention (The most important thing!) Most mild symptoms do not require immediate evaluation.
• Hydration and Rest: Drink plenty of water, broths, or juices, and rest at home.
• Malaise/Discomfort: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen according to the recommended dosage for managing general discomfort.
• Duration: If symptoms persist for more than 3 days without worsening, request an appointment with your Primary Care Doctor for evaluation and follow-up.
• Key Measure: Use a Mask! If you have respiratory symptoms (cough, sneezing, malaise), it is essential to wear a mask to protect those around you and prevent the spread of the virus. Wear it if you leave the house, visit a health center (where it is currently mandatory), or live with vulnerable individuals.
⛔ REMINDER: Going to the Emergency Room (ER) for mild fever or discomfort will not speed up your recovery, as treatment focuses solely on symptomatic management (fever control and rest).
➡️ STEP 2: Non-Life-Threatening Care (Primary Care Doctor or PAC) Your Primary Care Doctor (scheduled appointment) and the Continuous Care Center (PAC/Primary Care Emergency Service) are the resources designated for NON-urgent care.
• Consult your Doctor/PAC if: Fever persists for more than 72 hours despite treatment. Symptoms are concerning, but NOT signs of a vital emergency.
• PAC/Continuous Care Center: This resource is reserved for persistent and concerning symptoms that require evaluation only if your Primary Care Doctor is unavailable (e.g., outside regular hours or on weekends).
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Prioritize the PAC Whenever possible, you should first go to the nearest Continuous Care Center (PAC). The primary care doctor there will evaluate your symptoms and will refer you to the hospital only if strictly necessary.
❌ Do NOT go to the PAC for: Administrative tasks (prescriptions, forms) or mild symptoms of very recent onset (less than 24–48 hours).
🚨 STEP 3: Hospital Emergency Room (Real Emergency Only) ONLY go to the Hospital ER if you have SIGNS OF A VITAL EMERGENCY. If you have a vital doubt or emergency, call 112.
Signs of a Vital Emergency:
• Difficulty breathing or feeling of drowning.
• Sudden, severe chest pain.
• Altered consciousness (confusion, difficulty waking, fainting).
• High fever in infants under 3 months (≥38 ∘ C).
• Signs of severe dehydration (not urinating for several hours, severe dizziness when standing up).
Prioritizing home management, mask use when symptomatic, and the correct escalation of healthcare (Doctor - PAC - Hospital) helps ensure that patients with true vital emergencies receive prompt attention!.
