Personal Health: First Aid, Keeping Healthy, and Common Cold & Flu PDF

## SECTION THREE: PERSONAL HEALTH This section contains information on first aid and basic health conditions. This information is in no way intended as medical advice, nor should it be taken as such. You should always consult a doctor when you have questions or concerns about your medical care, tre...

## SECTION THREE: PERSONAL HEALTH This section contains information on first aid and basic health conditions. This information is in no way intended as medical advice, nor should it be taken as such. You should always consult a doctor when you have questions or concerns about your medical care, treatment, and symptoms. ### 1. Basic First Aid Once you become a teen, taking care of your cuts and scrapes is a beneficial skill. While there is nothing like a mother's touch, first aid is a skill that has many applications throughout life. * **Cuts** If you cut yourself, immediately apply pressure to the wound. You may need stitches if the bleeding soaks through the bandages and doesn't stop in 5-10 minutes while applying pressure. Assuming you don't need stitches, once the bleeding has stopped, wash the cut with warm water and soap and apply a bandage. * **Minor Burns** Cover a minor burn with a cool, moist bandage or wet cloth, or hold the burn area under cold water. DO NOT APPLY ICE. Once the burn has cooled, apply a gel such as aloe vera or a moisturizer and wrap it loosely with a clean bandage. * **Sprained Ankle** If you suspect a sprained ankle, elevate the leg and apply ice for 20 to 30-minute intervals every two to three hours. Do this as much as possible for the first two or three days. Keep the ankle elevated higher than your heart when lying or sitting down. Wrap your ankle with a bandage to help reduce swelling. The image shows four steps in wrapping a sprained ankle. * **Nosebleed** If you or someone else is experiencing a nosebleed, sit down and tilt the head forward. Pinch the nose just below the bridge, but don't pinch the nostrils closed. You can also apply ice to the bridge of the nose if bleeding is intense and doesn't seem to slow down. * **Bee Stings** As soon as possible, remove the stinger from the sting site. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and take an antihistamine to reduce swelling and possible itching. You can also take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with any pain. If the person appears to be struggling to breathe or develops a severe rash or hives, they may be allergic to bees. Call 9-1-1 if the person stung by the bee is having difficulty breathing. ### 2. Keeping Yourself Healthy You play a significant role in maintaining your health. Of course, regular exercise and a healthy diet are important, but you can do other precautionary things to maintain your health. Wash your hands. Washing your hands correctly and regularly is one of the best sickness-prevention methods that exist. Everything we touch has germs, so you are gathering germs on your hands every time you touch something, even if you clean and sanitize regularly. Hand sanitizer is helpful if you do not have access to a place to wash your hands, but it does not and should not replace actual hand washing. It is recommended that you wash your hands: * After using the restroom (yes, even if you don't touch anything) * Before and after eating. * Before and after preparing food. * After you have sneezed, coughed, or used a tissue. * Before and after treating a wound. * After changing a baby's diaper. * After handling pet food. * After touching an animal. * When you come home. * When you arrive at work. * After taking out the garbage or recycling * After touching your nose, eyes, or mouth The proper handwashing technique from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is as follows: * Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. * Lather your hands by rubbing them together with soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. * Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. * Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. * Dry your hands using a clean towel or allow them to air dry. Living in a post-COVID-19 world means that handwashing is more important now than ever (although it's always been pretty important). The more you can do to keep yourself healthy, the more you are doing to keep those around you healthy. ### 3. Common Cold & Flu Self-Care At some point in your adult life (probably at several), you will come down with a cold and possibly the flu. Even if you get the flu shot every year, wash your hands all the time, and never touch your face, you will still get sick at some point. That is unless you become a hermit and never have contact with the outside world, which is unlikely. The common cold and the flu are both caused by viruses, so there is no medication to cure them. A virus attacks the cells in your body and uses those cells to reproduce virus cells like themselves, which is what makes you sick. A flu vaccine usually wards off several strains of the flu virus and will likely lessen your symptoms should you catch it, but once you have a virus, it has to run its course. While there may be no cure for a virus, there are plenty of things you can do to alleviate some of the symptoms and make yourself more comfortable. * Hot liquids like non-caffeinated tea or chicken broth will keep you hydrated. * Over-the-counter cold medicines to relieve symptoms of cough, congestion, and runny nose. * Always read all labels to make sure you take the correct dosage and don't take two medicines that shouldn't interact. * Over-the-counter pain and fever reducers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. * Naps and plenty of rest. * Use a humidifier. * Honey to relieve a cough or sore throat. Colds and the flu are very similar, but there are ways to help you determine whether you have one or the other. Below are the common symptoms associated with a cold and the flu, according to the CDC. *Cold Symptoms:* * sneezing * runny or stuffy nose * sore throat * coughing * postnasal drip * watery eyes * fever (not common) *Flu Symptoms:* * fever (not everyone with the flu will have a fever) * cough * body aches * sore throat * runny or stuffy nose * headache * chills * fatigue * diarrhea and vomiting (occasionally) Both a cold and the flu can turn into something more serious on occasion, so it is recommended you call your doctor if: * Your symptoms last more than ten days with no improvement. * You have a fever lasting more than four days, or your fever is over 103°. * You have a cough that is worsening, or you are having trouble breathing. * You are having difficulty urinating. * Persistent pain in the chest or abdomen. * Severe fatigue or dizziness. * Severe muscle pain. * Any time you are concerned about your symptoms. ### 4. Scheduling a Doctor's Appointment Until you are 18, you will not be able to see a doctor without your parent's permission. The only exception to this is if it is an emergency. When you seek medical care on your own, you will first need to confirm whether the doctor accepts the health insurance you have. You can typically obtain this information by calling the office directly, contacting your insurance company online, or via a telephone call. When you call to make an appointment, they will ask for your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address, and why you are seeking an appointment. The office will likely verify your insurance information as well. If it is your first time visiting this doctor, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time because you will likely have paperwork to fill out and forms to sign. And remember, just because you are 18 now doesn't mean you have to go to the doctor alone. A parent can still accompany you, but it is probably time you start taking on these grown-up tasks one by one to prepare you for becoming an adult. ### 5. Talking to the Doctor Taking on the responsibility of talking to the doctor on your own may seem frightening or overwhelming, but remember that doctors are there to help us and make us better! To feel more confident when you go to the doctor alone, write a list of questions down ahead of time; that way, you won't forget what to ask if you feel nervous. If your visit to the doctor is because of a health concern you have, write down any symptoms you've noticed. Having this list ready will make your visit run smoothly, and the doctor will be able to treat you more efficiently if they understand what is going on. Some people prefer to see a doctor of the same gender as themselves, especially if they have something private they wish to discuss. If that is the case, make it known when you schedule your appointment so the office staff can assign you the best match for your needs. ### 6. Mental Health & Wellness Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. The CDC reports that as of 2018, 3.2% percent of children between the ages of 3-17 have depression, which equals roughly 1.9 million children and teens. Roughly every 100 minutes, a teenager commits suicide, and suicide is the third leading cause of death in people ages 15-24. These numbers are not included to frighten you but instead to help you understand that depression and anxiety among teens and young adults are common ailments. It is normal and OK if you feel this way and need to seek help. Signs of depression include: * sadness * feelings of hopelessness * spending more and more time alone * losing interest in favorite activities * feeling sluggish and tired * talking about death or suicide * headaches * decreased appetite * problems in school If you are feeling or experiencing any of these warning signs, talk to someone. It can be a relative, trusted adult, school counselor, or friend. If you feel like you have no one to talk to, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help boost your overall mental health and well-being. Getting adequate sleep is chief among them. Teens ages 14-17 need an average of 8-10 hours of sleep a night. More often than not, teens who are stressed about school and other obligations fail to meet this amount-making sleep a priority can do wonders for your overall mental health. Avoiding drugs and alcohol seems like a no-brainer, but the temptation is everywhere for teens and young adults. Young bodies and brains are not fully developed; in fact, the human brain does not stop developing until roughly age 25. The final part of the human brain to develop is the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control, critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making. When you introduce drugs and alcohol into the mix, your developing brain struggles even more to make the right choices. Find time to relax and spend with friends, family, or other people close to you. Our bodies and our brains need to recharge. These days a teen's schedule can be so jammed full of activities that there is no time to slow down and breathe. If you are struggling to manage your schedule, find a trusted adult you can talk to and discuss which activities you may be able to let go of. There is nothing wrong with saying, "This is too much for me right now." Even if you cannot unload anything from your busy schedule, listening to your body and knowing when to take a break is essential, and it is a skill that will serve you well as an adult. A fifteen-minute nap or meditation session can do wonders. A hot shower with loud music playing (assuming you won't annoy other people in the house) is soothing and relaxing. Sitting down and reading a book for 20 minutes can provide you with an escape. You know yourself best and what it takes to relax and recharge; just be sure to do it once in a while and remember, there is no shame in seeking help if you believe you are struggling with a mental health condition. ### 7. Understanding Health Insurance Health insurance can be a tricky thing to understand. There is no one-size-fits-all plan in the U.S. The information provided here is generic but enough to give you an understanding of what to look for and how insurance works. No matter what type of plan you have, it is recommended that you directly contact the insurance company if you have questions about whether something is covered. If you would like to get an idea of what something would cost, you can ask your doctor to submit a pre-authorization. A pre-authorization does not guarantee coverage, but it will give you an idea of your out-of-pocket cost. Some procedures require a pre-authorization first. * PPO vs. HMO vs. HSA #### PPO Probably the most standard and universal healthcare plans are PPOs. PPO means Preferred Provider Organization. This type of insurance will require you to use their preferred or in-network provider to receive the best rates. PPOs will allow you to use out-of-network doctors, but you will likely end up spending much more money. However, if you have a particular doctor you are attached to, and they do not take your insurance, you should be able to visit their office as part of your insurance plan. #### HMO An HMO or a Health Maintenance Organization requires you to be assigned to a specific doctor or practice as your primary doctor. If you require any specialized treatment, you will need a referral from your primary care provider to a specialist who accepts the insurance. If you have an HMO plan, you will not be able to see any doctor outside of the network unless you plan to pay all the costs yourself. #### HSA An HSA, also known as a Health Savings Account, is a PPO plan that allows members to set aside a specific amount of pre-taxed dollars for medical costs. These plans usually have a debit card linked to an account where the pre-tax dollars accrue until they are used. In some instances, members can use these dollars to buy medical supplies, equipment, vitamins, etc. * Deductibles A deductible is a set limit that the member will need to meet before certain services are covered by insurance. Some standard amounts for deductibles are $500, $1000, $1500, and $2000, although they can go much higher or lower. After you meet the deductible, your insurance will break down what percentage of the rest of your care would be covered if you required medical treatment. For example, after the deductible is met, you may have 80% coverage, which means insurance would pay 80% of the cost, and you would be responsible for 20%. * Preventative Care Preventative care is the care you receive from your doctor to prevent major illnesses and medical issues from happening. This type of care includes annual physicals, screenings, and immunizations. Due to the Affordable Care Act, private insurance companies must cover preventative care services at no cost to the patient. These services are to be covered without the requirement of meeting the deductible. * Insurance Cards Your insurance company will issue an insurance card that details essential information about your plan. You should carry your insurance card with you at all times in case of an emergency. On your insurance card will be your name or the person who holds the insurance, which may be one of your parents. Other information may include: * Subscriber number: this is a unique number to you and anyone else in your family. * Group number: this number will be the same for anyone on the plan as a whole. For example, if you have your insurance through your mom's workplace, everyone who works where your mom does and has this same insurance will have the same group number. * If it is an HMO, it will have the name of your primary care physician. * It may also have a prescription drug plan number as well. * The back of the card will list several different phone numbers, including the number that you, as a member, would call if you had questions. * Explanation of Benefits (EOB) An EOB is the form you (or your parents) will receive after medical treatment has been completed and the insurance company has paid for your claim. An EOB is NOT a bill from your doctor; however, it will show what you are responsible for paying as the patient. An EOB will list: * Service(s) provided * How much the physician charged * How much the insurance company "allows" (an amount they determine based on the procedure and average price where it was performed) * What the insurance paid * Amount applied to the deductible * Patient responsibility: what you are required to pay If anything is not covered by your insurance, there will usually be a code provided. For example, it may read "L4" next to the item not paid. The EOB will give an explanation either at the bottom or on the back of the form. `*L4 Procedure not covered by plan or *L4 Amount applied to the deductible` If anything on your EOB does not make sense or you believe there is an error, you have a right to call your insurance company and seek further clarification. You can also contact your doctor to make sure they billed the procedure correctly. On occasion, doctor offices will accidentally use the wrong code or date, which could result in the denial of your claim.