Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Fall 2020

2 F ocus Your Health Symptoms COVID-19 Allergies Cold Flu Body aches Sometimes No Sometimes (usually mild) Common Diarrhea Sometimes No No Sometimes (in children) Nausea or vomiting Sometimes No No Sometimes (in children) Loss of taste or smell Sometimes Rare Rare Rare Take action! Call 911 if you or a loved one has emergency warning signs for COVID-19. These include trouble breath - ing, lasting pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, trouble waking up or staying awake, and bluish lips or face. Your symptoms may differ. Call your doctor if you’re concerned about any unusual or severe symptoms. Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; World Health Organization Which is it: COVID-19, allergies, cold or flu? —Continued from front page Let’s speak your language, together As a Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) member, we want to let you know that we speak your language. You can get help in your language or American Sign Language through inter- preters at no cost, any time. Who is an interpreter? It is a person who repeats what people say from one language into another. This trained person helps people who do not speak the same language communicate. A trained expert can help you get the most out of your health care visit. Friends and children may speak your language, but they may not know how to tell you every - thing. A trained person knows how to listen to your doctor and tell you what they are saying in a way that makes sense to you. You may be asked a private question that you do not want to share with your family or friend. An interpreter can help keep your information private. Your doctor may need to tell you how to take meds or when to see a specialist. Interpreters The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu is to get a shot every year. Flu can spread quickly and lead to sickness, hospital stays and even death. CDC advises all people 6 months and older to get a flu shot every year. Flu shot facts  ● Flu shots have been shown to prevent flu, hospital stays and even death in children.  ● During the 2016–2017 season, flu shots prevented a predicted 5.3 million cases, 2.6 million health care visits and 85,000 hospital stays from flu.  ● Flu shots during pregnancy have been shown to help protect babies from the flu months after birth. Protect your family: Get vaccinated