COVID-19 Information and FAQ

COVID-19 Information and FAQ

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19, also sometimes called the coronavirus, is related to the virus that causes the common cold. The majority of people who catch COVID-19 will only have mild symptoms and will recover on their own without any treatment by a medical professional. There are some people at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, including those with chronic heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and those who are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised. Vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19.  Isolating yourself if you have symptoms is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus.
  • Does your office have the COVID vaccine, and if so, can I get one?  Our office has the Moderna bivalent vaccine available to current patients for booster doses for those who qualify. Please call our office to schedule an appointment if you are interested. At this time we are not planning on getting the updated vaccine that will be coming out in fall 2023.
    •  Where else can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?   The CDPHE COVID information web site has a list of providers who are currently offering the vaccine, which you can find on the CDPHE COVID-19 site.  Many local pharmacies are also offering vaccines by appointment.  
  • What should I do if I've tested positive for COVID but have no symptoms or mild symptoms? There is no treatment for patients who are mildly ill. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 the best thing you can do is to stay home and limit your exposure to others. You need to isolate yourself for at least 5 days after your symptoms start, and wear a mask for an additional 5 days after you are feeling better. If you are comfortable treating your symptoms at home (much in the same way you would treat a common cold), you should do so. If you would like to schedule a telehealth appointment to discuss your symptoms with your provider, please call our office. 
  • What should I do if I feel sick?  If you feel sick enough to seek treatment, please call our office to schedule a telehealth or in person appointment.  Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever of over 100.4°, respiratory issues such as a cough and shortness of breath, chills, muscle aches or pain, fatigue, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, headache, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. During your appointment you can discuss your symptoms and treatment options with your provider. If you are feeling short of breath, have chest pain, or have a fever over 103 degrees, go to the emergency department or call 911.
  • Can I get tested if I don't have symptoms?  While there are tests for COVID-19, the error rate makes them somewhat unreliable, especially for patients who are tested without symptoms. We are currently not testing asymptomatic patients, including patients who may need testing for travel requirements.  There are rapid COVID tests available at local pharmacies, and through health department outreach.  PCR testing is available at many urgent cares, some pharmacies, and some private companies.
  • If I get a negative test does that mean I don't have COVID? A negative test does not mean you do not have COVID, it means that the virus was not detectable with the testing method used.  PCR testing is more accurate than rapid testing, and asymptomatic testing (testing without symptoms) is less accurate than being tested a few days after symptom onset.
    • Where can I get more information? We encourage you to seek information from the Colorado Department of Health website , the CDC website, and the COVID toolkit website which contains COVID resources and test and treat locations.  These are accurate and up to date sources.
    If you have any further questions, please contact our office.
    To take advantage of our patient portal you must be a current patient of our office. Because we value your privacy we do not enroll patients over the phone; you must enroll in person at our office. You can do this at your next appointment or stop by during our office hours to get your enrollment token. Please note that our office staff does not have the ability to view, edit, or change your user name and password; be sure keep them in a secure place for your future reference. 

    Click here to be directed to our patient portal.
    Share by: