Less than a century ago, almost 33% of the population of the world fell ill. The pandemic of the time ripped through communities and nations. Its reach didn’t end at the shores; even remote islands were affected by this killer disease. Estimates of the number of victims this pandemic claimed rivaled those lost in the combined lives taken by both World Wars. The disease in question? The Spanish Flu, classified as H1N1. This virus remains among us today and claims lives every year. It wasn’t until COVID-19 arrived that any disease would bring that level of loss of life.
How Telehealth Can Aid In Reducing Illness During Flu Season
In addition to aiding in lowering the spread of COVID-19, mask-wearing, social distancing, and staying at home had another effect. The number of people who fell ill with the flu in 2020 was lower than has been seen at any point in recorded history. As a result, the number of deaths from the flu last year was almost nonexistent. Adding telemedicine technology to these practices will keep more of us safe during flu and cold season.
How Modern Technology Helps Us Tackle An Old Illness
Telehealth has revealed itself to be an essential step medical practitioners can take to slow the spread of the virus. Patients being able to receive care without leaving their homes limits exposure. This limitation extends to the practitioner, the patient, other people, and other patients at your doctor’s practice. There are even options to have any prescribed medication sent directly to your home or your preferred pharmacy. In addition to this, there are other benefits to using telemedicine during cold and flu season:
- Faster Treatment – The best way to prevent the worst symptoms of the flu is to receive treatment immediately. The drugs that are prescribed to battle the flu work best within 48 hours of onset. It’s often impossible to get an office visit during this time, especially if local providers are limited. Virtual appointments increase your provider options and avoid wasting time in Urgent Care.
- Rural Care – Even after the pandemic of 1920 ended, deaths from the Spanish Flu continued. The virus would make small resurgences in rural communities where medical care was limited. Even those who made it to a clinic may have found it overwhelmed with other cases. Telemedicine provides security against these problems by providing access to a broader range of providers.
- Limit Contagion – Research has shown that the in-office annual wellness visit is a vector for spreading the flu. Over 780,000 additional visits to the doctor and $500 million in medical costs resulting from disease spread from these visits. Virtual medicine will allow parents to provide these children with these essential visits without risk of contagion spread.
These are just three reasons that indicate how essential telemedicine is to prevent the spread of the flu virus.
Contact Your Telehealth Professional For Additional Tips
With the school year and cold and flu season, it’s essential to see the health of you and your children. Reach out to your telemedicine professional and arrange for an appointment today!
