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.
Vaccination
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:
- Never received a COVID-19 vaccine
- Are ages 65 years and older
- Are at high risk for severe COVID-19
- Are living in a long-term care facility
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant or might become pregnant in the future
- Want to lower your risk of getting Long COVID
- Prevea is offering 2024-2025 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to all those currently eligible for vaccination.
- You do not have to be a Prevea patient to receive COVID-19 vaccination at one of our health centers.
- Patients and community members are strongly encouraged to confirm insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccination prior to scheduling appointments.
- To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, visit: www.myprevea.com or call (888) 277-3832.
Flu
- CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions, receive a flu vaccine every year.
- Prevea is offering flu vaccines to all those currently eligible for vaccination.
- Patients and community members are strongly encouraged to confirm insurance coverage for flu vaccination prior to scheduling appointments.
- To schedule a flu vaccination appointment, visit: www.myprevea.com or call (888) 277-3832.
RSV
- CDC recommends an RSV vaccine for everyone ages 75 and older and adults ages 50-74 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.
- CDC recommends whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination for everyone. Talk with your doctor about whooping cough vaccination.
Testing
- 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.
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
CDC recommendations align with those from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine and American Society.