Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics, Author at Bay College Lockwood Clinic

Do I Need UHIP if I Have OHIP?

January 12, 2023April 14, 2022 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

If you are working or studying in an Ontario university, you have likely come across the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). UHIP provides health insurance coverage to students and workers of many Ontario universities. This coverage is similar to the coverage provided by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

However, the two plans are not interchangeable. In fact, if you have OHIP, you are not eligible for UHIP. Only if you are a non-resident who is not eligible for OHIP will you be required to enroll in UHIP and pay associated fees. It should be noted though that these fees are kept low and are more affordable than other insurance options. Here we will look closer at eligibility for UHIP, what is covered, and other important information about getting the best coverage for you and your loved ones.

Primary Takeaway

In this article we will look at who is eligible for UHIP but the primary takeaway for any non-resident student is that it is mandatory for you to have healthcare coverage. Specifically, if your university participates in UHIP, you will need to sign up for this coverage. Fees for this coverage are kept at a minimum and the coverage extends to most common and major medical needs.

Who Qualifies for UHIP?

UHIP provides affordable health insurance for students and workers at most Ontario universities. It is specifically designed to give coverage to non-residents who would otherwise be uninsured and need to pay the full cost of medical services out of pocket. If you meet any of these criteria, you qualify for UHIP coverage:

For Students

Full-Time Students: Full time students with a permit to study or a temporary resident visa are eligible. Furthermore, you will need to be working toward a specific degree including an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate degree from a university that supports the UHIP program.
Part Time Students: Part time students are also eligible with the same requirements as a full-time student including a temporary resident visa or permit to study. However, you will need to have been previously enrolled as a full time student as well. You will remain eligible for UHIP for up to 6 semesters as a part-time student. After this, you will likely need to enroll as a full-time student or seek out other insurance options.
Other Student Program Participants: Along with provisions for full and part time students, UHIP also covers those who are in study-abroad programs and work exchange/co-op programs. Similarly, if you are enrolled in an English as a Second Language program from a participating university you may be eligible. This can sometimes change though depending on the university so it is best to check with your individual university before assuming you will have coverage as an ESL student or under any other non-degree granting program.

For University Employees

International Employee of a University: Similar to students, you must be associated with a university that participates in the UHIP program and have a valid work permit. Valid permits will be used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Those Who Have Exhausted OHIP: Those who are no longer able to extend their OHIP coverage and who are working outside of Canada on approved University business are also eligible for UHIP.
Those Who are on the Waiting List for OHIP: If you have applied for OHIP and are approved but are still within the 3 month waiting period, UHIP may be able to cover you while you wait for OHIP.

Who is Not Eligible for UHIP

Generally, those who are eligible for OHIP will not be eligible for UHIP. OHIP covers even more services and is a better option if you do qualify. Here are a few other caveats about non eligibility:

A dependent or family member who is deemed a “visitor” under a Minister’s permit will not be eligible.
Students who attend via correspondence.
Children of a UHIP member who become disabled after they have lost eligibility will not be able to regain UHIP.
Students who take a leave of absence that is not formally approved by the university will lose coverage.

Note: this is not an exhaustive list of eligibility or non eligibility and rules may change. If you are in doubt, it is best to contact your university.

UHIP Q&A

Do all Ontario Universities Participate in UHIP? Nearly all Ontario universities participate in UHIP. The one exception is the University of Windsor. If you attend University of Windsor, you will be automatically enrolled in either Basic Green Shield Health Insurance Plan (GSHIP) or a supplemental plan. If you have further questions about university coverage, it is best to contact your school.

Is UHIP Free? UHIP is a low cost alternative to higher cost private insurances. However, it is not free. Monthly and yearly fees can change and will vary depending on if the coverage is just for yourself or for you and one or more dependents.

How Long Can You Be on UHIP? Generally, the maximum time you can be covered under UHIP is two years. However, you can extend your coverage after graduation but must file for an extension before your initial coverage is terminated. Dates surrounding extension can vary and will depend on your exact graduation date. If you plan to extend your coverage, contact your university well in advance of the end of your coverage.

Is UHIP Mandatory? If you are eligible for UHIP, you must participate in the program. It is required that you have health insurance and UHIP offers the most affordable option for non-resident students.

Can You Cover a Spouse or Children Under UHIP? Yes, you can cover a spouse or dependents under UHIP. You will pay premiums based on how many dependents you are covering. Costs are kept affordable and if you or your dependents do not qualify for OHIP, UHIP provides a quality alternative.

What Doesn’t UHIP Cover? UHIP covers a wide range of medical services but there are exceptions. Most notably, UHIP does not cover prescriptions. However, the Canadian government strives to keep prescriptions at affordable costs whenever possible. Other services that are deemed not medically necessary may also not be covered. If you are ever in doubt about a service that may not be necessary, it is best to inquire with your physician first.

Get Medical Care with UHIP

Are you covered by UHIP and looking for medical services? BCML walk-in clinic provides an all-inclusive option for your non-emergency needs. We offer physical therapy, eye exams, dental care, diagnostics and much more. Located in the heart of Toronto, we proudly provide quality, convenient care to UHIP members. Call us at 416-929-1900 to schedule today.

Health Insurance for International Students in Canada

January 12, 2023April 5, 2022 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

When traveling to or staying temporarily in a country, healthcare coverage may not seem necessary since your stay may be short. However, health emergencies are always a possibility and being without insurance is far more costly than paying for temporary coverage. More importantly, in Canada, it is a requirement for international students to have health coverage.

It is also important to note that while there is a national healthcare system, much of Canada’s healthcare is determined by individual provinces. Therefore, as an international student, the type of coverage you are eligible for will be dependent on where you will be studying.

Here we will look at what coverage is available to international students in Canada and how you can protect yourself while studying in another country.

Overview of Canadian Health Insurance for International Students

If you are new to Canada, it is likely that you have heard that healthcare is free. While Canada does have a tax funded national medicare system that covers basic health services and emergency care, individual provinces have their own coverage for permanent residents.

For example, Ontario residents are covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). As a non-permanent resident you would not be covered under OHIP but you would have access to the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).

Moreover, it is important to note that some services are not covered for students or residents such as most dental care. For services like this, private insurance is required for everyone.

Differences in Coverage Between Provinces

One of the most important things to understand as an international student in Canada is that some provinces will provide health coverage while others will expressly require you to purchase private health insurance.

Provinces and Territories that DO Provide Health Insurance Coverage to International Students

Alberta: Alberta provides health insurance for students who have a student permit for at least 12 months. Those with shorter permits may be eligible if they can prove that they plan to stay in the province for at least a year, regardless of if they will be enrolled in classes during that time. If you will not be in Alberta for this long, you will likely need private insurance.

British Columbia: In B.C., you are eligible for coverage if you have at least a 6 month student permit. However, coverage does not start until the first day of the third month of your stay. Due to this, you may still need to consider private insurance for the first few months.

New Brunswick: Like Alberta, New Brunswick requires you to be a student for 12 months. You will also need to show proof of full-time enrollment in a university.

Manitoba: Students who have at least a 6 month study permit will be eligible for coverage under the province’s healthcare system.

Newfoundland and Labrador: Students are eligible with a 12 month study permit.

Northwest Territories: Students are eligible with a 12 month study permit.

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia does have student insurance but only if you will be a student for 12 months and staying longer than a year. You cannot apply until after you have already been a student for a year so private insurance options will likely still be needed. For example, if you begin study in Nova Scotia in August, you will not be able to apply for insurance until the following September.

Saskatchewan: Yes as long as you are enrolled full time.

Provinces and Territories that DO NOT Provide Health Insurance Coverage to International Students

Ontario: Ontario does not cover students under OHIP but most universities do participate in the University Health Insurance Plan which offers similar coverage.

Prince Edward Island: PEI requires private insurance though some universities do offer their own program.

Quebec: Depending on your home country, you may be eligible for insurance in Quebec. Student scholarships may also include coverage here.

Yukon: While the Yukon territory is large, it is not densely populated and only has one university. Due to this, insurance resources for international students are not available.

Note: As you can see from the list, while most provinces do offer health insurance, there are several requirements and/or wait periods. In each of these cases you may still need private insurance as you wait for provincial insurance.

More importantly, these rules can change or vary depending on the school you attend, your major, citizenship status, etc. Therefore it is important to check the individual requirements of the province you plan to study in before making plans for travel.

What is Not Covered Under Canadian Health Insurance?

Contrary to popular belief, not all medical services are free in Canada though most basic healthcare and emergency services are free or offered at a reduced cost. However, since the real cost of these is paid largely through taxes, coverage is limited to permanent residents who will also have some out of pocket costs.

For both residents and international students there are several services that are typically not covered or only covered under certain circumstances, including:

Dental: major dental surgery is covered while routine cleanings are not.
Vision: eye exams are covered but eyewear is not.
Cosmetic Surgery: surgery for aesthetic reasons is not covered though you may be able to appeal for certain procedures to be covered if you are in pain or having difficulties beyond cosmetic concerns.
Chiropractic and Physical Therapy: Both of these services are unlikely to be covered but supplemental insurance may help. There are exceptions for children and senior citizens.
Mental Health: Mental health care is only covered when provided by a medical professional such as a psychiatrist. Alternative therapies are not eligible.
Prescriptions: Prescriptions that are not administered as part of a hospital stay are not covered. However, there are supplemental insurance options and Canada works to keep the cost of prescriptions as low as possible.

Medical Help in Canada Without Insurance

If you find yourself in need of medical help while not covered, one of your best options is to seek care at a walk-in clinic for any non-emergency issues. Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostic walk-in clinic in Toronto offers a range of affordable and convenient medical services including physical therapy, dental, and vision. To learn more about what BCML can do for your healthcare, contact us at 416-929-1900.

Respiratory Management for COVID-19 Patients

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

While the majority of people who contract COVID-19 will be able to manage symptoms at home, the World Health Organization reports that about 1 in 5 will require hospitalization. Around a quarter of patients who do require hospitalization will also require time in the Intensive Care Unit for respiratory support therapies including the use of a ventilator.

This is due to the host of complications that COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, can cause in the lungs. Here we will look at the respiratory support hospitals provide and what you can do at home to manage symptoms.

Monitoring Symptoms and When to Seek Respiratory Management for COVID-19

Currently, there are three levels of COVID-19 severity recognized: Mild to Moderate, Severe, and Critical.

Mild to Moderate

Roughly 80% of those who contract COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms that will not require hospitalization. Symptoms here are likely to include fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, intestinal discomfort, fatigue and even mild “walking” pneumonia.

Severe

Severe complications will affect around 15% of patients. Here, patients are likely to experience all of the symptoms of a mild infection along with greater difficulty breathing, confused thinking due to low oxygen levels, and a greater likelihood of developing pneumonia.

Critical

Critical complications can include complete respiratory failure and dysfunction in other organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys. Critical cases will require the use of a ventilator and must be addressed as quickly as possible to help prevent more damage to the organs and even more severe outcomes.

Disease Progression and When to seek Respiratory Management

Currently, it is believed that symptoms will appear between 2 and 14 days after infection. These initial symptoms will vary but often include fever, diarrhea, chills, aches and other symptoms similar to other viral diseases. One of the more unique symptoms is a loss of taste and/or smell.

Those with mild cases are likely to recover within two weeks while moderate sufferers may take from three weeks or more depending on if they develop walking pneumonia. However, severe complications in the form of laboured breathing, known as dyspnea, can manifest within a week following initial symptoms.

While some may recover from these severe symptoms, others will develop a critical condition known as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Patients who develop ARDS are, on average, admitted into the hospital within twelve days after the onset of symptoms.

When to Call the Doctor

You should call the doctor if you see symptoms getting worse, especially if you develop breathing difficulty, chest pain or experience symptoms that would suggest low oxygen levels. Confused thinking, dizziness, rapid breathing and a lack of coordination can all be indicative of low oxygen levels in the blood.

If you have mild symptoms, it is important to understand that these can progress. The timeline of progression will vary between patients but it is possible for critical complications to develop twelve days or longer after initial symptoms. Monitor your symptoms and continue to quarantine until your symptoms have gone away and you have not registered a fever in at least three days or you text negative on two separate COVID-19 tests administered 24 hours apart.

What are the Risk Factors of Developing Critical COVID-19 Disease?

While there have been documented cases of fatalities across all age groups and people of all health levels, the most at-risk persons are ones with underlying conditions and/or advanced age.

Those who are 65 and older are more likely to develop complications as are people whose immune systems are compromised. Relatively common conditions such as heart failure, heart disease, COPD and diabetes can all increase the risk of critical symptoms developing.

Treatment of Pneumonia and ARDS Caused by COVID-19

Pneumonia is an inflammation in the lungs that can cause a build-up of fluid that will make it hard to breathe, cause chest pain, cough, and fever. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Since the COVID-19 pneumonia is caused by a virus and not a bacteria, antibiotics are not effective.

Instead, your doctor will likely recommend rest, pain relievers, and cough medicine for mild cases. If your breathing difficulty is severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, you may be given oxygen from an oxygen tank through tubes that are inserted into your nostrils. However, more severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) will require the use of a ventilator.

ARDS can be caused by pneumonia but it is a more advanced condition with even more severe breathing complications that can have lasting effects. Some patients who recover can still have breathing complications due to scar tissue on the lungs. When ARDS or pneumonia develop, medical intervention with a ventilator is critical.

What to Expect from Ventilator Treatment?

Although a ventilator’s function is massively important to the care of critical COVID-19 patients, it is a relatively simple device. It is, in short, a machine that pushes air into the lungs (ventilation) and also provides an extra dose of oxygen (oxygenation) which is vital to your organs.

The difficulty for patients with this device is that it works by pushing air through a hose directly into your airway. Intubation is the process by which that tube is inserted. While there may be relief at finally getting critical oxygen, being intubated is not pleasant and patients will not be able to speak, eat or drink during this treatment.

Sedatives are typically used to make this process more comfortable and to help the patient rest. With support from the ventilator, patients have a better chance of recovering. Their lungs are literally given breathing room so that they can begin to heal.

Noninvasive Ventilation

For less severe breathing complications, patients may also receive oxygen through a mask. This treatment does not provide the same level of lung support as ventilation with intubation but it can give relief to many with mild to moderate symptoms.

At-Home Supportive Care

For the millions of people who have COVID-19, at-home supportive care options will vary depending on your symptoms. For some, care will be minimal and will likely require little more than additional rest and fluids. For others, the symptoms may not warrant a hospital visit but they will require more action to mitigate the negative effects of the disease.

Ultimately, for those who do not require in-hospital care, the most important measure you can take for yourself and those around you is to quarantine until your symptoms and fever have abated. For most, this will mean a minimum of ten days from the onset of symptoms. However, two weeks of quarantine is preferred if you do not have access to a COVID-19 test to verify your health.

Resting at this time, socially distancing, and closely monitoring the progression of your symptoms is the best course of action for yourself and your loved ones.

What to Do if You Suspect You Have COVID-19

Whether you have already begun to exhibit symptoms or if you are concerned after coming into contact with someone who was infected, it is best to start quarantining. If people can begin quarantining immediately after they have been exposed to the virus, this is one way we can help reduce transmission. Of course, if quarantine is not possible, take precautions to wear a mask, gloves and wash your hands frequently.

Do you still have questions or concerns about your health or COVID-19? BCML is here for you. We offer both traditional and telehealth appointments for your convenience and safety. For all your health needs, contact us to schedule an appointment. Call 416-929-1900 to book an appointment today!

Is it Safe to Wear Contact Lenses During COVID-19?

May 13, 2020May 13, 2020 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

As we navigate our way through a world with COVID-19, even the most mundane tasks like wearing contact lenses have taken on a new meaning. Up until a few months ago, wearing contacts would not have raised any major concerns about safety. However, as we seek to minimize the spread of the disease, anything that forces us to touch our faces is being questioned.

So, is it safe to wear contact lenses with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing? Is wearing glasses automatically better? In short, most specialist optometrists in Canada agree that wearing contact lenses is safe and no, wearing glasses is not necessarily safer. There are some exceptions to this and ways to reduce risks when wearing either. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know to wear your contact lenses safely.

How to Safely Wear Contact Lenses

The rules for wearing contact lenses during the pandemic are similar to the precautions you should be taking normally. The difference now is that there are additional COVID-19 related risks if you do not follow these precautions. Also, if you tend to be forgetful about taking out your contact lenses at night or disinfecting them properly, now is the time to get into better habits. In this section, we will answer the most answered questions relating to contact lens usage and the novel virus.

Why take out your contact lenses at night?

Even contact lenses that are approved for multi-day use really should not be kept in continuously. Not only do your eyes benefit from the time to breathe without the lenses, leaving them in increases the risk of infection. This holds true at all times, not just because of COVID-19.

With the risk of catching the virus, it is even more important to be mindful of taking care of your eyes and properly disinfecting contact lenses. While removing and disinfecting your contacts will not directly impact your risk of getting the virus, it can reduce the possibility of irritation.

Keeping your contact lenses clean means you are less likely to experience dry or itchy eyes. This condition causes people to rub their eyes more. Remember, to stay safe from the virus, anything that reduces the chances of you accidentally touching your face or eyes should be practiced.

What about contact lenses approved for overnight wear?

Advancements in contact lens technology have given us breathable contacts that can be kept in overnight. However, even these are best if they are removed before sleeping. Your eyes will always feel better if they are given this time without a contact lens. Healthy eyes equal less irritation and a commensurate reduction in the risk of touching your face.

How to properly remove and insert contact lenses

Proper hand washing is critical to the safe insertion and removal of contact lenses. Ideally, you should wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds making sure you get every inch of your hands. Then, dry your hands with a clean towel.

After thoroughly drying your hands, you can then safely remove or insert your contact lenses. It is very important that you avoid touching any other surface before touching your eyes. To avoid recontaminating your hands, even the water faucet should be turned off with a paper towel.

Hand sanitizer products with a minimum alcohol content of 60% can be used to cleanse your hands before inserting or removing your lenses. To do this properly, you must thoroughly coat your hands in the sanitizer gel and rub it in until it fully evaporates.

While this will disinfect your hands, soap and water will do a more thorough job. There is also a chance that there may still be residue from the sanitizer on your fingers that could irritate your eyes. Sanitizers with scents and lotion added can be especially problematic for this task. Therefore, be mindful of the kind you are using.

Can you wear contacts when you’re sick?

It is not recommended for you to wear contacts when you are sick. Any virus you have can be found in the mucous membrane of your eyes. Consequently, the increased touching of the eye can spread the virus further.

Moreover, symptoms of the common cold or flu are likely to cause some eye and sinus irritation. Watery eyes, itchy eyes, dry eyes can all be further irritated by contact lenses. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness, you should discontinue the use of your contacts and also limit any contact with others.

Eye irritation is not a common symptom of COVID-19. However, the coughing associated with the illness can create watery eyes for some.

What’s Better: Disposable or Reusable Contact Lenses?

There are two primary types of contact lenses when it comes to durability; single-use disposable contacts and ones that can be reused for a week or month. With proper handling, both of these contact lenses are safe to wear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, because reusable contact lenses need to be disinfected immediately after use, you need to be especially diligent in cleaning them. Having a fresh pair that you can change daily will reduce the chances of eye irritation and the urge to rub your eyes throughout the day.

No matter what kind you wear, follow the guidelines for proper use. Disposable contacts should only be worn once and removed at night. Equally, reusable contacts should only be used for the length of time they are approved for by an optometrist near you.

When Should You Wear Glasses?

Those suffering from dry eyes or any condition that prevents them from wearing contacts comfortably for long periods should consider glasses. For people like this, this condition may mean that contact lenses are not safe to use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discomfort is likely to give you the immediate urge to rub your eyes. Remembering to wash your hands before doing this can prove difficult.

However, glasses also require adjustment throughout the day. As a result, proper handwashing practices should be exercised. In practice, this is likely to be more manageable than itching or pain from contacts. In a pinch, you can adjust your glasses by using the back of your wrist which is less likely to have touched any contaminated surface. This is not an option with contacts, giving glasses a slight edge in this debate.

Do Glasses offer Protection Against COVID-19?

One myth floating around is that glasses offer protection against the virus entering through the eyes. There is no existing evidence that proves this theory. While a pair of glasses may prevent some droplets from a cough or sneeze from entering your eyes, there is still space around your glasses where the virus can enter.

Additionally, eyewear will not offer protection for your nose or mouth. If you are standing close enough for an infected person’s respiratory droplets to reach your eyes, those droplets can also reach your nose or mouth. If you are wearing a mask over your nose and mouth, this may provide some help. However, at such a close range, cloth masks will not guarantee that respiratory droplets will not reach your face.

In short, a combination of glasses and a cloth mask are not a substitute for practicing safe social distancing. Even with protective layers, you should strive to stay at least 2 meters apart from others and avoid going out into crowded places unless absolutely necessary.

The Advantages of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses may actually offer a safety advantage over glasses for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak. While taking extra precautions when inserting or removing the lenses can seem daunting, once they are in, most people can wear them for 14-16 hours without adjustment.

In contrast, glasses are likely to be taken on and off multiple times per day. This increases the likelihood that you will touch your face throughout the day. Unless you can wash your hands before each adjustment to your glasses, contacts may be a better choice.

Managing Your Eye Health During the Pandemic

With so many social distancing rules affecting our health and ability to be social, getting proper medical care can be daunting or seem unimportant in contrast. However, staying on top of preventive care and pre-existing conditions is one of the best ways to manage anxiety and avoid emergency situations.

BCML is offering telehealth appointments to ensure our patients can get the care they need without risk. We can help you manage and diagnose a range of conditions and refer you to specialists when needed. To manage your eye health and other concerns during this time, contact us at 416-929-1900. We’ve got you!

Top Tips on How to Keep Healthy During a Pandemic

May 12, 2020May 11, 2020 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, we have all heard the phrase “unprecedented times” more often than we can count. Even though the words may have begun to lose impact, they are still true. We are living in a time that is completely unlike anything else anyone living has experienced in their lifetime.

For many of us, our daily lives are filled with news of the pandemic and it can be scary. It is not only scary for what could happen but because there is no clear instruction on the best ways to stay healthy.

While COVID-19 remains a new virus with much to be discovered, we do have knowledge of the best ways to protect ourselves and others during a pandemic. Here we will discuss these methods to help keep you safe and to reduce the stress and anxiety of uncertainty.

Wash Your Hands

It almost sounds too simple to be effective, but washing your hands is one of the best ways to combat the spread of viruses like COVID-19. If you are wondering how to keep healthy during a pandemic, this is the first thing to know. It’s the most preached rule at every walk-in clinic in Canada.

According to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), roughly 80% of common infections are spread through touch. Proper handwashing has been proven to dramatically reduce the chances of transmission.

Proper Hand Washing

Not all handwashing routines are created equally. To optimize the benefits of handwashing, BCCDC recommends applying soap and water then rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds. 20 seconds may seem long, but this gives you enough time to properly create friction and cover all parts of your hands: palms, back of hands, between your fingers, wrists and under your nails. When turning off the tap, it is recommended that you use a paper towel to avoid recontamination.

Hand Sanitizer

While handwashing with soap and water is still the most effective cleansing method, hand sanitizer with 60% or higher alcohol content can be a great substitute.

To use hand sanitizer effectively, you should apply a generous amount of the solution to cover your hands completely. Continue to rub your hands together until the solution has completely evaporated. Doing this regularly will keep you safe from viruses and help you manage your health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hand sanitizers are best used on dry hands with no visible dirt or grease. Having any substance on your hands before applying the sanitizer will reduce its effectiveness.

When to Wash Your Hands

The short answer to this is, when in doubt wash your hands. However, to keep healthy during a pandemic these are the most important times to wash your hands:

Before and after handling food
Before eating or drinking
Before touching your face, nose or mouth
After blowing your nose or coughing into your hand
After touching any public surface
After using the restroom
Before and after touching someone else

Nevertheless, these guidelines should be practiced at all times to keep yourself protected against viruses, though they are highly encouraged during this pandemic.

Practice Social Distancing

A few months ago, “social distancing” was an unknown phrase for most of us. Now, it has become a tip to protect your health during this pandemic. But what is social distancing and how can you do it effectively?

Social or physical distancing is, in short, maintaining at least 2 meters of space between yourself and other people. 2 meters is the minimum distance required to reduce the chances of virus transmission from one person to another through a sneeze or cough.

What about people you live with? Ideally, members of a household will remain in isolation together and minimize outside exposure. However, if this is not possible, there are ways to reduce the chance of spread within a household.

To protect your health, it is essential that each member of the household observes basic precautions. These pandemic related precautions include wearing a face mask in public, washing hands frequently and avoiding crowded places.

Secondly, if one member of the household shows signs of illness, they should do their best to quarantine in one room or area of the home. Other members of the household should minimize contact with the sick person and use masks, gloves and sanitation measures to further reduce risk.

Practice Social Media Distancing

While we should strive to use digital social tools to stay in touch, social media can also negatively impact mental health. Even when there are less overwhelming outside factors working against us, a scroll through social media can make us feel as if we are missing out or that everyone else’s lives are going better.

Add in the alarming news stories, conspiracy theories, and fighting between other people. You will find that social media can easily make you feel worse. In fact, a recent study showed that social media can even make you feel more lonely – the exact opposite effect that we are trying to achieve during these difficult times.

Instead of scrolling through your newsfeed for the 80th time today, set up a chat with friends on Skype, Zoom or even just a phone call for that retro communication feel. No matter how you use social media, be mindful of how it is making you feel and take a break when it gets to be too much.

Be Mindful of Mental Health

If social distancing and worry over the pandemic have you feeling sad, lonely or overwhelmed, you are not alone. While physical safety and well-being are at the top of everyone’s priorities, reducing stress can help your immune response too. It can also help you to avoid engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating and drinking, both of which can negatively impact your ability to fight off a virus.

Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies to help each of us cope in a healthy way. Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) offers a comprehensive resource list for addressing stress and well-being during the pandemic.

Some general ways to help yourself feel better is to prioritize things like eating healthy and getting exercise whenever possible. However, if you are finding it difficult to either find the time or the will to engage in self-care, it could be time to seek professional mental healthcare. AMH also offers a resource guide to seeking telehealth appointments with psychologists and psychiatrists.

Practice Preventative Care and Management of Medical Conditions

With so many changes, it can be difficult to think about anything but COVID-19. However, it is more important than ever to take care of your preexisting conditions and to seek preventative care. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are especially important to manage.

Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure will help you better fight off the virus if you come in contact with it. This will also help you avoid emergency situations that can develop when chronic diseases are left unchecked.

Here are key ways to manage your health during a pandemic:

Take Prescription Medication

If you currently pick up your prescription, consider having it delivered to you instead. This will help you avoid going out and ensure that you have an adequate supply. Doctors are also allowing for 90-day supplies of many drugs, thus reducing the number of times you might need to renew a prescription.

If you are still getting 30-day refills, contact your doctor to see if this can be changed. It is also important to leave plenty of time to get your refills. It is recommended that you contact your doctor or pharmacy at least a week in advance before you run out of a prescription. This will leave time in case the pharmacy does not have a supply or if the prescription needs to be mailed to you.

Make Diet and Exercise a Priority

While it might be tempting to give up on exercise and start eating junk food while you are stuck inside, this can make you feel worse. Processed foods high in sugar and salt can negatively impact both our moods and energy levels. Instead, aim to get the majority of your calories from things like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.

Additionally, regular exercise can be key to managing your health during this pandemic. Try to incorporate exercise in a fun, manageable way. For some, this might include walking around your neighbourhood or a local park. Remember to take your face mask and maintain at least 2 meters of distance from any other people out enjoying the day.

Interactive video games, deep cleaning your home and even just dancing around the house can all be counted towards your daily exercise goals – trying to stay active does not need to be a boring or stressful task!

Seek out Telehealth Appointments

Managing preexisting and preventative care can seem daunting when social distancing. However, telehealth appointments make it easier than ever. With telehealth, your doctor will engage with you over the phone and/or over a video chat. While an in-person visit may be required for certain conditions, telehealth is a safe, simple way to get prescription refills, discuss health concerns and more.

Are you looking for ways to manage your health during the pandemic? BCML offers convenient telehealth appointments for new and existing patients. To check appointment times, contact us at 416-929-1900.

Coronavirus Symptoms and Best Ways to Avoid Covid-19

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

Is every sniffle or cough causing you to panic thinking you might have Covid-19? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of Canadians have been searching Google for information on coronavirus symptoms since the first case was reported earlier this year. While the virus is a real threat and should be taken seriously, taking precautions and being informed can help keep you calm and safe. Here, we’ll discuss coronavirus symptoms, when to see a doctor, and top tips for staying healthy.

What are the Coronavirus Symptoms?

Much is still being learned about Covid-19 including why it causes severe, life-threatening issues in some patients but only mild symptoms in others. According to the CDC, there are coronavirus symptoms that are most commonly experienced or associated with the virus, these include:

Difficulty tasting and smelling
Difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath
Cough
Fever and chills
Muscle pains and headaches
Painful sore throat

When should I seek medical help for Coronavirus Symptoms?

With our hospitals working to keep up with new Covid-19 patients, it is best to avoid going to the hospital if you can. However, if you experience more extreme symptoms, it is time to seek professional help. Severe symptoms include:

Difficulty thinking and confusion
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain, heaviness or pressure that does not go away
A bluish tint to your lips or face (could indicate you are not getting oxygen)

How to Seek Help for Covid-19 Symptoms

If you are experiencing extreme symptoms, it is time to call 911 and/or go to the hospital. Worsening symptoms, extreme difficulty breathing and a fever that won’t break could all be worth a trip to the emergency room.

However, if you are not experiencing emergency symptoms, it is best to call your primary care physician. They can discuss your symptoms over the phone and advise you on next steps. Whenever possible, call ahead before you go into the doctor’s office.

Your doctor can advise you on whether or not it is necessary for you to go to the emergency or give you treatment options you can do at home. If the physician advises you to stay home, this limits the spread of the virus and lessens the number of people that can be infected by you.

Best Tips for Avoiding Coronavirus Symptoms

Ideally, the most effective way to avoid coronavirus is to stay home and avoid other people. However, if you must go out, there are preventative measures that will help keep you and others safe. These include:

Use hand sanitizer properly: Hand sanitizer is best reserved for when you do not have access to soap and water which are more effective at killing the virus. To use sanitizer properly, make sure to cover every part of your hands and rub it into your skin until the sanitizer is fully dry.
Wear a mask: Ideally, an N95 mask is the most effective at preventing the spread of Covid-19. However, any mask works better than no mask at all. Wearing a mask will not only help reduce your chances of contracting the virus but also prevent you from spreading the disease if you have it.
Wash your hands properly: You should wash your hands frequently especially after handling items outside your home and before you eat or drink anything. To wash your hands properly, fully lather soap over both hands for 20 seconds before rinsing.
Avoid touching your face: The virus spreads by entering through your mouth or nose. It is good practice to wash your hands before touching your face.
Give people space: if you absolutely cannot avoid going out, practice social and physical distancing by staying a safe distance (2 meters) away from others.

Staying Safe at the Grocery Store

Navigating the world during the age of Covid-19 can be overwhelming. One of the ways many of us are coping and staying safe is by stocking up on our favourite foods and staying home as much as possible.

However, could the groceries themselves be exposing you to the virus? Environmental science and microbiology expert, Kristen Gibson PH.D. weighs in on the debate over the safety of food and food packaging when trying to avoid the virus.

Can the virus live on foods and food packaging? Gibson says that there is a very low risk of infection from touching a contaminated object such as a canned good, plastic bag or any other items associated with shopping. This is because Covid-19 is a respiratory virus and has an outer layer that is highly susceptible to drying out.

“Once the lipid bilayer is damaged, the virus is no longer infectious,” says Gibson who also addressed the claim that the virus can live on a surface for hours or days. “These reports come from testing done in an ideal environment for the virus to survive.”

A grocery store, which tends to have relatively low humidity, will quickly dry out the virus if an object has been touched by an infected person. However, while you are unlikely to contract the virus by touching an object, Gibson does recommend washing your hands when you get home from the grocery store and avoiding touching your face until you have done so.

Other grocery tips include:

Limit your trips to the store: person to person is still the primary way the virus is spread, so try to minimize the times you are out in public.
Observe social distancing at the store: Gibson recommends staying at least 2 meters away from other shoppers just as you would in any other public space.
Don’t use reusable grocery bags: Reusable grocery bags are often not washable and can become a potential source of carrying the virus.
Wash produce with water NOT soap: It can seem logical to scrub down produce with soap, but water will do just as good of a job at cleaning your fruits and veggies without the risk of getting sick from ingesting soap.
Wash your hands: While the chances of contracting the virus from packaging are low, Gibson recommends washing your hands when you get home from the grocery store and also disinfecting your counters where you may have set grocery bags down.
Wiping down packaging is optional: Again, it is unlikely that the virus will live on the packaging, but it is safe to wipe an outer package with a disinfectant wipe if you prefer to.
Write out a shopping list: For your safety and others, it is important to minimize your time in the store. You can do this by preparing a list to help you move through the store quickly.

Treatment and Diagnosis of Covid-19

Currently, the only way to confirm that you have Covid-19 versus the flu or any other illness is by a swab test. However, for mild cases, it is more important to do what you can to treat your symptoms at home.

Currently, there is no cure for Covid-19, so managing symptoms and discomfort is the primary goal. Fortunately, most cases will be mild enough that the symptoms will go away on their own. To manage coronavirus symptoms, you should treat them like you would other viruses. This includes getting rest, drinking fluids, and taking an over the counter fever reducer if you are running a fever.

Your doctor may be able to prescribe something for aches, pains and/or fever. If you suspect you have Covid-19, it is best to start with a call to your doctor.

Telehealth Consultations for Coronavirus Symptoms

With social distancing being our best tool in fighting the spread of Covid-19, over-the-phone doctor consultations can get you the help you need without leaving the house.

BCML is offering telehealth consultations Monday through Friday from 11 am to 5 pm. We welcome you to contact us at 416-929-1900 to schedule an appointment. If your symptoms are severe and you are having difficulty breathing, visit or contact your nearest hospital.