Telehealth FAQ
What can be treated by telehealth?
Chelsea Lobb, FNP, sees sports physical patients and their families for common illnesses that can be assessed by video, history, and photos. Many visits end with a plan, home care, and a prescription if one is appropriate.
Colds, sinus congestion, and allergies Runny nose, congestion, seasonal allergies, and mild sinus pressure are common telehealth visits. Red flags such as facial swelling, vision changes, or symptoms that are getting worse after several days may need an in-person exam.
Sore throat A visit can cover pain, fever, exposure, and whether strep testing is needed. A throat culture or rapid strep test cannot be done over video. If testing is needed, you will be directed to a local option.
Cough and mild respiratory illness Cough from a cold, mild bronchitis symptoms, and asthma flare questions can be reviewed. Trouble breathing, chest pain, blue lips, or a cough in an infant needs urgent in-person care, not a video visit.
Ear pain Ear pain can be discussed, including fever and recent colds. The eardrum cannot be seen on a standard video visit, so some patients still need an in-person look before treatment.
Pink eye and eye irritation Mild redness, allergy-related itching, and drainage can often be reviewed with a photo. Eye pain, light sensitivity, vision loss, or a contact-lens wearer with a red eye should be seen in person.
Medication refills
We can not refill controlled substances or narcotics
Rashes and skin concerns Eczema
flares, insect bites, mild hives, and simple rashes are a good fit if you can send clear photos. Spreading redness, fever with a rash, or a rash that looks infected needs an in-person exam.
Stomach bugs and mild nausea Short-lived vomiting or diarrhea, hydration questions, and return-to-school timing can be handled by telehealth. Blood in the stool, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration need in-person care.
Urinary symptoms Uncomplicated bladder symptoms in adult women are often treated by telehealth. Fever, back pain, pregnancy, or symptoms in a child or male patient usually need an in-person visit or testing.
Headache Tension headaches and migraine follow-up can be reviewed if the history is typical. A sudden severe headache, headache with neck stiffness, confusion, weakness, or head injury is an emergency.
Fever Fever guidance, dosing questions, and whether a child can wait are common reasons to book. A fever in an infant under 3 months, a fever with trouble breathing, or a child who is hard to wake needs urgent care.
Sports physical follow-up Form questions, a missed signature, a symptom that came up after the physical, and return-to-play questions for established sports physical patients can be done by telehealth when an exam is not required.
What should I have ready?
A parent or guardian should be present for minors. Have the pharmacy name, current medicines, allergies, and a photo of any rash or eye concern. School or league forms help if the visit is related to a sports physical.
Will I get a prescription?
If a medicine is appropriate, it can be sent to your pharmacy. Antibiotics are not automatic. Many colds, sinus symptoms, and coughs are viral and improve with home care.
What cannot be done by telehealth?
Telehealth does not replace a hands-on sports physical, stitches, X-rays, strep or flu swabs, or emergency care.
Call 911 for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, seizure, severe allergic reaction, or a head injury with confusion.
