Well-Founded or Not, Fears Over the Novel Coronavirus Are Driving Patients to Urgent Care

Mainstream media coverage of the international 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak continues at a breakneck pace, even though there have been very few confirmed cases in the U.S. at this point. It seems to be weighing on every patient locked into a winter cold, but the fact is that many more patients are dying of influenza than are likely to even be exposed to 2019-nCoV. While clinicians should be vigilant for symptoms of 2019-nCoV and press symptomatic patients for details of any international travel or exposure to others who may have visited China recently, it’s important to use this opportunity to remind patients that their best protection against getting sick with any virus is using appropriate protective measures. For influenza, that means getting a flu shot if they haven’t already. Standard hand hygiene reduces risk of contracting flu, 2019-nCoV, and all viruses. This is not to dismiss 2019-nCoV, as it’s a legitimate concern. However, when patients do ask your thoughts about the outbreak offer this perspective: While the number of cases in China grows rapidly, thus far only 64 patients have died according to the National Health Commission there. By comparison, out of 13 million Americans who have been diagnosed with flu this season around 10,000 have died. That threat is closer to home, more likely to be realized, and largely preventable.