Kern Family Health Care | Family Health | Fall 2021

FAMILY HEALTH 7 THE BEST WAY TO STAY SAFE is to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit kernfamilyhealthcare.com/vaccine to find out where and when you can get yours. Myths and facts about COVID-19 There’s a lot of not-so-good information about COVID-19. Some of it may come from people who mean well. But to stay healthy, you need to follow good advice from good sources. Here are some good things to know about COVID-19. Q Can people of all ages get COVID-19? Yes! Anyone can get very sick with this virus. Older people and those with certain health conditions may be more likely to have severe symptoms. But younger people can get sick themselves. They can pass the virus on to someone who gets very ill. Q Will I feel the COVID-19 symptoms right away? It can take anywhere from 2 to 14 days before people who are infected show symptoms. Q Will antibiotics work against COVID-19? Antibiotics can’t fight viruses, like the coronavirus. They only work against bacteria. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; World Health Organization The nature of pain Pain is a very common problem and the most common reason that people see a doctor. But lessening pain isn’t always easy. To treat chronic pain well, you must address the physical, emotional and psychological aspects. Sometimes your doctor may refer you to a psychologist. Psychologists are experts in helping people cope with the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that come with chronic pain. Stress and chronic pain Having extreme and constant pain is stressful. Stress can lead to a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, weight gain, anxiety and depression. Stress can trigger muscle tension or muscle spasms that may increase pain. Tips for coping with pain Your doctor or a psychologist may suggest some of these steps to improve your health: y Stay active. y Know your limits. y Exercise. y Connect with friends and loved ones. y Distract yourself. y Don’t lose hope. y Follow your doctor’s advice, even with medicines. Source: American Psychological Association