Mid-Ohio Valley emergency rooms ask for breathing room as respiratory illnesses flare up

Mid-Ohio Valley emergency rooms ask for breathing room as respiratory illnesses flare up 
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, Marietta, OH; by Staff Reports; 3/11/25 
As flu, COVID and other respiratory illnesses increase, Memorial Health System is advising people to take preventive measures, prioritize rest at home or seek medical attention elsewhere before heading to an emergency department. "When needed, seeking care through a primary care provider or at a Physicians Care Express location can help ensure timely treatment and help keep emergency departments available for those in urgent, life-saving situations,” according to a release from the Health System. ... Emergency care should be sought for respiratory illnesses if people experience the following:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Confusion or disorientation.
• A persistent high fever lasting more than three days, spiking a fever of more than 103 or accompanied by confusion or a rash.