With the recent coronavirus outbreak, healthcare has changed to adapt to the new way of the world. Doctors start to work remotely and postpone scheduled appointments because of the deadly virus. But it’s impossible to postpone health problems even if a pandemic is going on. Depending on your condition you may need personal care. It’s important for you to determine if you should go to urgent care or a remote appointment will be enough. 

Below are 7 most pressing health problems that cannot wait until the pandemic is over. If you experience one of them, visit a doctor to prevent serious health consequences. 

1. Skin infection

If you notice you have a skin infection, you need to visit a doctor. Don’t let the infection get worse. To treat a skin infection, it isn’t always possible to prescribe suitable antibiotics without personal inspection. While some infections can be treated with oral antibiotics, others require IV antibiotics which you can get only in the hospital. 

2. Chest pain

Chest pain is an issue that can appear due to various reasons. Things like panic attacks, persistent cough, anxiety, pneumonia, and heart attack can trigger discomfort in the chest. If you aren’t sure what causes your chest pain, you need to contact your doctor. Some of these conditions can be life-threatening if left untreated. 

You also need to pay attention to other symptoms that appear along with chest pain. They will help you determine the root cause of chest pain. 

3. Loss of consciousness

If you lost consciousness without a clear cause, visit an emergency room. In the emergency room, the doctor can address the risk of heart issues like stroke or brain damage. 

There are also situations when you don’t need to visit an emergency room and just need to call your doctor. If you are taking new blood pressure medication, they can reduce your blood pressure too low. Call your doctor so he can lower the dosage medications or prescribe another one. 

4. Pelvic infections

Urinary tract infections or STDs until the end of the pandemic. UTI can progress from mild to severe and cause serious health problems like kidney infection. The same applies to sexually transmitted infections. The first symptoms of STDs are similar to a UTI. They include burning sensations, pelvic pain, urgency or increased frequency to urinate, and abnormal discharges. 

If you suspect you have one of these infections, you need to visit your doctor. Only special tests can determine which infection you have and which antibiotics you need. 

5. Broken bone

It is  clear that a broken bone cannot wait. If you have a fracture where the bone protrudes through the skin or when a significant deformation occurs, you need to visit an emergency room. You can try to call a doctor for remote medical help only if the injured area isn’t deformed or cause significant pain. Some fractures can be treated by taping and splinting the injured area. 

6. Seizure

If you have a history of seizures you most likely know what to do and have necessary medications at home. In this case, you can consult your doctor remotely via phone or video call. If you don’t have a history of seizure, it’s very important to visit an emergency neurologist. You will need to take tests and schedule a screening to address the risk of brain tumors and other serious health conditions. 

7. Rectal bleeding

If you notice rectal bleeding, don’t put this issue aside until the pandemic ends. Rectal bleeding can occur for a variety of reasons like hemorrhoids. While hemorrhoids aren’t life threatening, other causes can be more serious. Rectal bleeding is a common sign of problems like actual gastrointestinal bleed or a flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions can cause premature damage to your internal organs and overall health if left untreated. 

You can feel scared to visit public places like hospitals during a pandemic but if left untreated certain conditions can be more dangerous than COVID-19. If you experience one of the health problems mentioned above, visit a doctor. In the hospital wear a face mask, use gloves, and sanitizer to protect yourself.