Fever

When to see a doctor?

An adult with a fever should see a doctor when, despite taking antipyretics:

• the temperature is higher than 39.4ᵒC,
• the fever lasts longer than 3 days
• there are additional symptoms: severe headache, severe swelling of the throat accompanied by pain
• rash (especially when it suddenly becomes more severe and does not disappear under pressure)
• hypersensitivity to light
• stiff neck and pain when bending the head forward
• confusion and other disorders of consciousness
• frequent and heavy vomiting
• difficulty breathing or chest pain
• extreme apathy and irritability
• abdominal pain or pain when urinating
• muscle weakness or numbness
• other alarming sensation or symptoms

Tick bite

Who should remove the tick and when?

You should remove the tick as soon as possible yourself or with the help of another person. Do not wait for a doctor or nurse to help you if this would delay the removal of the tick.

How can I remove the tick myself?

When to see a doctor after a tick bite?

See a doctor if:

• erythema with a diameter of about 5 cm with central clearing (erythema migrans) appears in the area of the bite within 6–60 days. The skin lesion visible in the first 6 days after the tick bite is not erythema migrans, but usually local inflammation or local allergic reaction;
• there are other symptoms: swollen lymph nodes, slightly raised temperature, headache, joint pain or muscle pain.

There is no indication for the routine administration of antibiotics after a tick bite or for testing the tick for transmitted infections.

Having removed the tick, should I take it for testing?

The tick is not tested for Borrelia burgdorferi because, regardless of the result, it does not change the procedure, i.e. careful observation of whether erythema, slightly raised temperature, swollen lymph nodes or flu-like symptoms accompanied by fever, headache, joint pain, muscle pain and fatigue occur. If such symptoms occur, the patient should see a doctor immediately.

Influenza

Do I need to have a flu vaccine?

Vaccination is the best protection against flu – it reduces the risk of getting sick by 70– 90%. Even if despite vaccination one catches the flu, the vaccine will help reduce the severity of its symptoms and the risk of complications such as viral pneumonia, bronchitis, myocarditis, pericarditis and, in children, otitis.

When is the best time to get a flu vaccine?

The best time to have a flu vaccine is before the flu season, which in Poland lasts from September to the end of April. Most people fall ill between January and March, so it is worth having a vaccine in December or early January. In adults, the vaccination usually starts to provide protection after about 2 weeks.

Should flu vaccination be repeated every year?

Yes, vaccination should be repeated every year as influenza viruses are constantly changing. Every year the World Health Organization (WHO) gives recommendations on the current composition of the flu vaccine.

Can the vaccine give me the flu?

The entire virus is not injected into the body with the vaccine, so it is not possible for the virus to penetrate the cells, multiply and cause the disease. It may happen that a person with other infection starting to develop gets the flu shot, which by temporarily reducing immunity, paves the way for another infection. Therefore, before getting the vaccine, a qualifying visit to a doctor is necessary.

I am pregnant. Can I get vaccinated against the flu?

Yes, when you are pregnant it is definitely worth vaccinating against the flu. Vaccination will not harm the mother or child and can prevent serious complications to which pregnant women are more susceptible than the rest of the population. As a result of the disease, pregnant women may even miscarry or give birth prematurely, and the life of the foetus can be at risk.

Is breastfeeding a contraindication to vaccination?

No. Breastfeeding women can be vaccinated against the flu.

Measles

What should I do if someone around me has measles or is suspected of having measles?

Check if you are immune to measles. Immunity is developed after you have had the disease or have been given two doses of measles vaccine.

Who can be considered immune to measles?

We consider people who have a documented 2 doses of measles vaccine (single vaccine or combined MMR vaccine) to be immune. Lifelong immunity is also developed in persons who have had measles.

What if I don’t remember whether I was vaccinated or had measles?

If an adult person does not know if they have had measles or if there is no documentation confirming vaccination against measles, they should be vaccinated. Adults vaccinated with one dose of the vaccine should take a second dose of the vaccine to develop full immunity.

Pregnancy

Do I need to have a referral from my Medicover doctor for tests that are normally performed during pregnancy?

If your package includes the Pregnancy Programme, you don’t need a referral from your Medicover doctor to have your laboratory tests performed. All you need to do is to show your Pregnancy Card at the Medicover Centre blood collection facility.

You can make an appointment for a prenatal ultrasound by showing your Pregnancy Card at the reception desk of the Medicover Centre.

You will need a referral issued by a gynaecologist at the Centre if you want to make an appointment for a cervical smear test and PAPP-A test.

If your package does not include the Pregnancy Programme, your doctor or midwife may issue a referral for laboratory tests during a chat on the basis of a scan of your Pregnancy Card.

Only a doctor can issue a referral for ultrasound during the chat.

You will need a referral issued by a gynaecologist at Medicover Centre if you want to make an appointment for a cervical smear test and PAPP-A test.

Do I need to have a referral from a Medicover doctor for tests which I have been prescribed by a gynaecologist outside Medicover and which are not tests that are normally performed during pregnancy?

If you have a referral for such tests, make an appointment with a gynaecologist at Medicover Centre. Any tests beyond the Antenatal Care Standard should be authorised by a gynaecologist at Medicover Centre.

I’m pregnant and I have a cold. What medicines are safe for me to take?

For runny nose you can use over-the-counter nasal drops and aerosols based on saline or sea salt, e.g. Sterimar, Marimer, Disnemar or Tetrisal. If you have stuffy nose, you can use hypertonic products, e.g. Hypertonic Spray, Marimer Hypertonic Spray or Physiomer Hypertonic.

To soothe a sore throat, you can use Tantum Verde spray or gargling solutions: Tantum Verde, sage tea or Gargarin. You can also buy lozenges (Isla Mint, Isla Moos, Isla Cassis, Septolete or Laryng Up) or Glosal moisturising spray. Do not use lozenges containing thyme, Cholinex, Strepsils and Glimbax.

To bring down a fever, you can safely use paracetamol products, e.g. APAP or Efferalgan. Paracetamol also helps relieve muscle pain. It is important that the medicines do not contain any active substances other than paracetamol.

I’m breastfeeding and have a cold. What medicines are safe for me to take?

For runny nose you can use over-the-counter nasal drops and aerosols based on saline or sea salt, e.g. Sterimar, Marimer, Disnemar or Tetrisal. If you have stuffy nose, you can use hypertonic products, e.g. Hypertonic Spray, Marimer Hypertonic Spray or Physiomer Hypertonic.

To soothe a sore throat, you can use Tantum Verde spray or gargling solutions: Tantum Verde, sage infusion or Gargarin. You can also buy lozenges (Isla Mint, Isla Moos, Isla Cassis, Septolete or Laryng Up) or Glosal moisturising spray. Do not take lozenges containing thyme, Cholinex, Strepsils and Glimbax.

To bring down a fever, you can safely use paracetamol products, e.g. APAP or Efferalgan. Paracetamol also helps relieve muscle pain. It is important that the medicines do not contain any active substances other than paracetamol.