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For resources on topics within the field of health and medicine, please click on one of the following tabs for more information.

At-home COVID-19 tests

Ordering At-home COVID-19 Tests
From the Department of Health and Human Services... get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this winter (2022-2023). Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza (flu), and COVID-19

What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
From the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment... RSV FAQs (updated November 1, 2022)
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From the CDPHE...

RSV causes respiratory tract illness in people of all ages, but infants, young children, and
older adults are at greater risk of severe illness from RSV. It spreads by inhaling or having
contact with virus-containing droplets (typically through the mouth, nose, or eyes) produced
by a person with RSV infection when talking, coughing, and sneezing. While most people who
get RSV will only have cold symptoms, it may be more severe in infants and young children, as
well as older adults. Symptoms can include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or coughing and
can also include fever, decreased appetite, and difficulty breathing or wheezing.

If your child is demonstrating early signs of RSV, consider calling a health care provider. Your
provider can help you determine the best ways to manage symptoms and when it is important
to be seen in the clinic, urgent care, or emergency department. If it is an emergency, please
call 9-1-1.
Virus Respiratorio Sincicial (VRS) Preguntas Frecuentes
Información de CDPHE.
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VRS

El VRS (virus respiratorio sincicial) afecta las vías respiratorias de personas de todas las edades, pero los bebés, los niños pequeños y los adultos mayores corren un mayor riesgo de padecer una enfermedad grave a causa de este virus. Se contagia al inhalar o tener contacto con gotículas que contienen el virus (generalmente a través de la boca, la nariz o los ojos) que se generan cuando la persona enferma habla, tose y estornuda. Si bien la mayoría de las
personas que contraen el VRS solo sentirán los síntomas de un resfriado, estos pueden ser más graves en bebés y niños pequeños, así como en adultos mayores. Los síntomas pueden ser: secreción o goteo nasal, estornudos o tos, pero también pueden incluir fiebre, disminución del apetito y dificultad para respirar o respiración sibilante.

Si su hijo muestra señales tempranas de VRS, considere llamar a su proveedor de atención médica. Su proveedor puede ayudarlo a determinar la mejor manera de controlar los síntomas y cuándo es importante que lo vean en la clínica, en el centro de atención de urgencia o en la
sala de emergencias. En caso de emergencia, llame al 9-1-1.
Influenza (flu) Season FAQs
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (updated September 20, 2022)
Influenza (flu) Vaccine Information and Providers
Information from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
COVID-19 General Questions and Answers
Information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (updated September 7, 2022)

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call CO HELP at 1-877-462-2911 for answers in English and Spanish (Español), Mandarin (普通话), and more.

El Paso County Public Health has information on the vaccine availability - Where can I get a vaccine? | El Paso County Public Health (elpasocountyhealth.org)

To find a COVID-19 Vaccine Provider:

Visit El Paso County Public Health’s web page (scroll down for provider map)
Call 1-800-232-0233
Text your ZIP code to 438829

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Latest facts and information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from the CDC. What you should know, situation updates, and community information about the impact of COVID-19 on a national level.
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Coronavirus resources
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has a variety of resources for workers and resources for employers who are impacted by the Coronavirus.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its presence and impact in the state of Colorado. Includes a link to a fact sheet about COVID-19.
El Paso County Department of Health
Information and resources about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from the El Paso County health agency, including links and up-to-date information.
Medline Plus - Coronavirus
MedlinePlus offers up-to-date information in language you can understand. MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
World Health Organization (WHO)
Comprehensive information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Includes advice, technical guidance, response, and research information.

Library Databases

Consumer Health Complete This link opens in a new window
Full text database for consumer-oriented health content. Covers all areas of health & wellness.
Epidemics and Pandemics: From Ancient Plagues to Modern-Day Threats This link opens in a new window
This book discusses epidemics and pandemics, their impact on public health, and how they shape and are shaped by political, economic, and social forces.
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine This link opens in a new window
Includes information on almost 2,000 medical disorders and concepts. Each article includes in-depth discussion of causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, procedures, and other related topics.
The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine This link opens in a new window
Covers all aspects of the subject including therapies, conditions/diseases, herbs/plants, and people. Identifies numerous types of alternative medicine being practiced today, including reflexology, acupressure, acupuncture, chelation therapy, kinesiology, yoga, chiropractic, Feldenkrais, polarity therapy, detoxification, naturopathy, Chinese medicine, biofeedback, Ayurveda and osteopathy.
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection This link opens in a new window
Covers topics on emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry & psychology, mental processes, anthropology, and observational and experimental methods. Includes full text for more than 560 journals.

Emergencies

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-426-4435
Colorado Crisis Services
Helpline: 1-844-493-8255
Text Line: Text "Talk" to 38255
Confidential support for mental health and substance abuse
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals
Nurse Advice Line
1-800-283-3221
Available free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Nurses will answer your medical questions, provide care advice and help you determine if you should be see a doctor right away. From the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
ParentSmart Healthline
1-855-KID-INFO (543-4636)
Pediatric nurses provide telephone triage, health care advice and in-depth information on over 290 pediatric topics. From Children's Hospital Colorado
Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention
719-573-7447
The mission of Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership is to unite the community in addressing suicide in the Pikes Peak Region through education, intervention, and postvention.
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704 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Poison Control Center
1-800-222-1222
A free and confidential service that can assist with poison, alcohol or drug overdose situations. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Services (SAMSHA) National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
1-800-487-4889 (TTY)
Free and confidential information in English and Spanish for individuals and family members facing substance abuse and mental health issues. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth