Cold weather generally means an increase in infections and higher patient volume in emergency rooms. To help you avoid unnecessary wait times, the CISSS of Abitibi-Témiscamingue offers a guide to assess the severity of your health problem and limit the spread of viruses.
What should I do about my health problem?
Learn more about the infection you have
In the fall and winter, respiratory viruses such as the flu (influenza) or COVID-19 are at their most prevalent. If you have one of these infections or another common health problem, learn about how to treat it at home, what symptoms to watch for, and when you should see a healthcare professional. You can find this information in the Tools section on the Alternatives to Emergency Room page.
Learn about alternatives to emergency care
If you or someone close to you has contracted a virus, learn about the medical resources and services available outside of the emergency room by visiting the Alternatives to the Emergency Room page . Pharmacies , in particular, offer a wide range of services that may save you a visit to the doctor.
Learn more about how the emergency services work
Do you feel your condition requires a visit to the emergency room? Consult the pages Before You Go to the Emergency Room and The Emergency Room and How It Works to learn what a visit there entails and what the different triage codes mean. If you are unsure, don't hesitate to contact Info-Santé 811 so that a qualified professional can direct you to the appropriate healthcare service.
When temperatures drop, viruses circulate more easily, and the simplest way to protect yourself is to wash your hands frequently. To learn more about good hand hygiene practices, see the page Hand Hygiene: A Shared Responsibility .