ALERT: Stay healthy this cold and flu season! Learn more
ALERTA: ¡Mantente sano durante esta temporada de influenza y resfriados! Más información
Breath of Fresh Air: Essential Reminders for Providers During Respiratory Viral Illness Season
Date: October 30, 2024
Attention: All Providers
Background information: The respiratory viral illness season has begun, and infections like influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 are circulating in our communities.
This communication aims to equip you with comprehensive and up-to-date provider resources to support your practices during this critical time.
Provider Resources
- HEDIS Toolkit on Respiratory Conditions and Antibiotic Stewardship: Offers valuable insights and guidelines.
- Respiratory Viral Illness Season Resource Kit: Comprehensive materials for patient education.
- At the Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) Provider Advisory Group Meeting in September 2024, Audrey Voss, Clinical Practice Consultant, presented important educational material regarding Respiratory Viral Illness Season: What You Need to Know to Educate and Protect Your Patients. To view this presentation, click here.
Key Takeaways
- Vaccination is Vital
As appropriate, please encourage your patients to best protect themselves against respiratory viral illnesses by receiving vaccinations for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID-19 infections.
Information about the flu season and vaccination can be found in the 2024-2025 Flu Season: Encourage Members to Protect Themselves Provider Alert - RSV Information
Crucial information about RSV season and vaccination can be found in the 2024-2025 RSV Season and Synagis Prior Authorization Provider Alert- Reiterate to patients that antibiotic medication does not effectively treat viral illnesses. Reassure patients about their plan of care for respiratory viral illnesses.
- Right Care, Right Place, and Right Time
Educate patients on when and where to seek medical care. Help them recognize true emergencies that require immediate attention versus non-emergency situations. - Patient Resources
Please review and share this helpful link to Stay healthy this Cold and Flu Season! with your patients: https://www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/flu- Additionally, see a flu information flyer that can be shared with patients.
Symptom Differentiation
| It's a Cold | It's the Flu | It's RSV |
Slow onset of symptoms No or mild fever Mild tiredness Normal appetite Muscles are not achy No chills No headache | Sudden onset of symptoms High fever Severe tiredness Lower than normal appetite Achy muscles Chills Headache | Uncontrolled cough Runny nose Decrease in appetite Sneezing Fever Wheezing |
Thank you for your commitment to caring for and protecting our TCHP members. Your efforts make a significant difference!
If you have any questions, please email Provider Relations at: providerrelations@texaschildrens.org.
For access to all provider alerts,log into:
www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/provideralerts.