When should you seek medical attention, and what do your healthcare providers need to know?

Author: SCIRE Professional Team | Reviewers: Cynthia Morin , Andrea Townson | Published: 4 August 2020 | Updated: ~

Historical pandemic information reproduced with its original publication context.

Confirm that you provider is still seeing patients, or if an online virtual health service is available. In deciding whether to attend regular medical appointments, discuss the urgency of appointments with your doctor/care provider. Some appointments if delayed can lead to serious health risks, but others can be safely postponed (especially given additional COVID exposure risks).

• If you think you are infected with COVID-19, read what to do from a reputable diagnostic source (e.g., the BC CDC website).
• If you are at a greater risk of developing severe symptoms (i.e., upper thoracic and cervical levels of SCI), visit the hospital when experiencing any shortness of breath.
• If it becomes harder to breathe, you are unable to swallow, or you feel much worse than when you got tested, seek immediate medical care at an urgent care clinic or Emergency department.

• Inform medical providers/emergency responders about your SCI and how it affects your respiratory system.
• Provide breathing equipment, assistive devices, and/or a personal directive.