Each year, usually in fall, highly contagious respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) begin to circulate. At Prevea, we have you covered. The information below will help answer some of your most frequently asked questions about vaccination, treatment and care options available.
While some may only experience mild illness from COVID-19, flu, or RSV, they can have a severe impact on others including serious illness and even death. Vaccination not only protects you, but it also protects the spread of disease to others.
COVID-19
In August 2024, U.S. regulators approved updated COVID-19 vaccines designed to target recent virus strains more closely. CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine is especially important if you:
CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for everyone ages 75 and older and adults ages 60-74 at increased risk of severe RSV.
NOTE: RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine. That means if you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another one at this time.
Discuss with your provider whether RSV vaccine is right for you, and how to schedule an appointment for vaccination.
To prevent severe RSV disease in infants, CDC recommends either maternal RSV vaccination (during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy, administered September through January) or infant immunization.
If pregnant, discuss with your OB/GYN whether RSV vaccine is right for you, and how to schedule an appointment for vaccination.
For infants and young children, discuss with your pediatrician. Prevea will begin administering RSV vaccines in late September.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis is a very contagious respiratory illness.
Whooping cough may begin like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months.
Prevea offers PCR COVID-19 testing, which is billed to insurance, at select locations. Appointments for COVID-19 testing can be made through MyPrevea. Additionally, test results will only be available in MyPrevea.
For those traveling to a country requiring a negative COVID-19 test from a health care provider upon entry, Prevea has appointments available for antigen COVID-19 and PCR COVID-19 testing. Appointments are required and can be made through MyPrevea by selecting “Travel” in the symptoms category.
Pre-travel antigen testing results will be ready within 24 hours and can be viewed on and printed from the patient’s MyPrevea account. PCR testing results will be ready within 24-48 hours and can be viewed on and printed from patient’s MyPrevea account.
This fall, U.S. households will be eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests through the federal government. For more information, visit: www.covidtests.gov
Treatment
Most people with a respiratory illness can recover at home and use over-the-counter medication to help with symptom management. Individuals with certain medical conditions may have a higher likelihood of becoming very sick from COVID-19, flu or RSV. To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick, click here.
There are treatments available that can decrease your chances of hospitalization or death. If you have COVID-19, flu or RSV and would like to discuss possible treatment options, do not delay! These medications work best when taken early on. Please contact your provider if you want to discuss if these medications are right for you.
Care Options at Prevea
Prevea Health has a robust group of primary care providers, pediatricians and more to help you navigate the respiratory virus season.
Need medical advice after hours? Call (888) 277-3832 to speak with a registered nurse.
Same day and next day appointments are available with Prevea Primary Care providers and pediatricians. To find a provider near you, click here.
Prevea Virtual Care is available 24/7. You will receive care from the same trusted, board-certified providers you would see if you visited one of our health centers. Online visits are $35 and most visits take just 15 minutes.
Important: If you are having trouble breathing, call 911 or report to the nearest emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
As of Sept. 12, patients and community members can schedule an appointment online to receive both flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Yes, COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective. If you have COVID-19 during pregnancy, you are at increased risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and your baby from serious illness from COVID-19.
CDC recommendations align with those from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine and American Society.
Yes, a COVID-19 vaccine provides additional protection. People who already had COVID-19 and do not get vaccinated after recovery are more likely to get COVID-19 again than those who get vaccinated after their recovery.
No, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines given with a needle (i.e., flu shots) are made with either inactivated (killed) viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated (weakened) so that they will not cause illness.
