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How long flu symptoms can last. Flu Duration and Management: Understanding Influenza Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

How long does the flu typically last. What are the common symptoms of influenza. How can you treat flu symptoms effectively. Who is at higher risk for flu complications. What are the best ways to prevent getting the flu.

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Understanding Influenza: Causes and Transmission

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. There are three main types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. The flu primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when infected individuals cough or sneeze. Additionally, transmission can occur through contact with contaminated surfaces or close personal interactions, such as kissing or sharing utensils.

Flu seasons typically occur between April and September, with varying severity and duration each year. As borders reopen and travel increases, continued seasonal flu activity is expected, highlighting the importance of understanding and managing this widespread illness.

How does the flu virus spread?

  • Respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes
  • Close personal contact
  • Touching contaminated surfaces
  • Sharing personal items

Recognizing Flu Symptoms: From Onset to Resolution

Flu symptoms typically appear one to four days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms include:

  • Sudden high fever (38°C or higher)
  • Dry cough
  • Body aches, especially in the head, lower back, and legs
  • Extreme weakness and fatigue
  • Chills
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose

Additional symptoms may include loss of appetite, aching behind the eyes, and gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. The severity and combination of symptoms can vary from person to person.

Can flu symptoms be mistaken for other illnesses?

Flu symptoms can sometimes be confused with those of the common cold or other respiratory infections. However, the flu typically has a more sudden onset and more severe symptoms. If you’re unsure about your condition, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Flu Duration: Factors Affecting Recovery Time

For most healthy individuals, the flu is an uncomfortable but relatively short-term illness. Symptoms typically last five to seven days as the immune system fights off the virus. However, several factors can influence the duration of the flu:

  • Overall health and immune system strength
  • Age
  • Vaccination status
  • Presence of underlying medical conditions
  • Timing of treatment initiation

People who have received a flu shot may experience shorter or less severe symptoms. However, even after the main symptoms resolve, fatigue may persist for some time.

Why do some people recover from the flu faster than others?

The speed of recovery from the flu can vary due to individual differences in immune system function, overall health, and the specific strain of the virus. Those with stronger immune systems or who have been vaccinated may be able to fight off the virus more quickly and efficiently.

High-Risk Groups: Identifying Those Prone to Flu Complications

While most people recover from the flu without complications, certain groups are at increased risk for severe illness and potential complications, such as pneumonia. These high-risk groups include:

  • Young children, especially those under 5 years old
  • Adults 65 years and older
  • Pregnant women
  • People with chronic medical conditions (e.g., asthma, heart disease, diabetes)
  • Individuals with weakened immune systems
  • Those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

These groups may experience more prolonged and severe symptoms and are at higher risk for hospitalization and potentially life-threatening complications.

How does age affect flu severity and recovery time?

Age plays a significant role in flu severity and recovery time. Young children and older adults typically have less robust immune systems, making them more susceptible to severe flu symptoms and complications. They may also require longer recovery periods compared to healthy adults.

Effective Flu Treatment: Managing Symptoms and Speeding Recovery

While there is no cure for the flu, several treatment approaches can help manage symptoms and potentially shorten the duration of the illness:

  1. Rest and hydration: Getting plenty of rest and staying well-hydrated are crucial for recovery.
  2. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help reduce fever and alleviate body aches.
  3. Antiviral medications: For high-risk individuals or those with severe symptoms, doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) if started early in the infection.
  4. Symptom-specific treatments: Decongestants, cough suppressants, and throat lozenges can provide relief for specific symptoms.

Do antiviral medications shorten the duration of the flu?

Antiviral medications, when started within 48 hours of symptom onset, can potentially shorten the duration of the flu by 1-2 days. They may also reduce the severity of symptoms and lower the risk of complications, particularly in high-risk individuals.

Flu Prevention Strategies: Reducing Your Risk of Infection

Prevention is key in managing the impact of influenza. Here are several strategies to reduce your risk of contracting the flu:

  • Annual flu vaccination: This is the most effective way to prevent flu infection or reduce its severity.
  • Proper hand hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating or touching your face.
  • Avoid close contact with sick individuals
  • Practice good respiratory etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep can boost your immune system
  • Quit smoking: Smokers are more susceptible to flu infections
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

How effective is the flu vaccine in preventing infection?

The effectiveness of the flu vaccine can vary from year to year, depending on how well it matches the circulating strains. On average, flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by 40-60% among the overall population. Even when the vaccine doesn’t perfectly match the circulating strains, it can still provide partial protection and reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get infected.

Flu Diagnosis: Confirming Influenza Infection

While flu symptoms can be indicative, a definitive diagnosis requires laboratory testing. Healthcare providers typically diagnose the flu based on symptoms and physical examination, but may confirm the diagnosis through:

  • Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs): These provide results within 10-15 minutes but may not be as accurate as other tests.
  • Rapid molecular assays: These detect viral genetic material and provide results in 15-20 minutes with higher accuracy than RIDTs.
  • RT-PCR tests: These are highly accurate but may take several hours to provide results.
  • Viral culture: This method takes several days but can identify the specific strain of the virus.

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment, especially for high-risk individuals who may benefit from early antiviral therapy.

When should you seek medical attention for flu symptoms?

While many cases of flu can be managed at home, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Persistent dizziness, confusion, or inability to arouse
  • Seizures
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Severe weakness or unsteadiness
  • Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
  • Worsening of chronic medical conditions

High-risk individuals should contact their healthcare provider promptly upon developing flu symptoms to determine if antiviral treatment is necessary.

Long-term Impact: Understanding Post-Flu Recovery

While most people recover fully from the flu within a week or two, some individuals may experience lingering effects:

  • Persistent fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Cough
  • Reduced lung function

These post-flu symptoms can last for several weeks or even months in some cases. Additionally, the flu can exacerbate existing chronic conditions, potentially leading to long-term health complications.

How can you support your body’s recovery after the flu?

To support your body’s recovery after the flu:

  • Continue to get plenty of rest
  • Stay hydrated
  • Eat a balanced, nutritious diet
  • Gradually reintroduce physical activity
  • Consider taking vitamins or supplements (after consulting with a healthcare provider)
  • Manage stress levels
  • Follow up with your healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen

Remember that full recovery can take time, and it’s important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard too soon.

How long does the flu last?

Few common illnesses are more unpleasant than the flu. The aches and pains, chills, fever, and cough are bad enough; add in the other potential symptoms of flu, including runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, or sore throat, and you’ll want the illness to be over as soon as possible. How long does the flu last? And does treating flu help make it go away faster? The answers depend on your particular health.

Understanding flu

The flu—or influenza—is a highly contagious respiratory virus caused by one of three different virus types: influenza A, B, or C. The main way that illnesses like colds and the flu spread from person to person is through the droplets that sick people propel when they cough and sneeze. You can also get the flu by exposure to saliva passed by routine contact, such as kissing or sharing eating utensils.

How long does the flu last?

For most healthy people, the flu is an uncomfortable but short-term illness that resolves itself as the immune system fights it off. Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. For people who’ve had a flu shot, the symptoms may last a shorter amount of time, or be less severe. For other people, the symptoms may last longer. Even when symptoms resolve, you may continue to feel fatigued.

Some people are at increased risk for complications from influenza. These people include:

  • the very young
  • people 65 or older
  • people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, or diabetes
  • pregnant women
  • people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher

People in those groups may have weakened immune systems, and are at increased risk for the complication of pneumonia, which can be deadly.

Treating flu

If you get the flu, you should get rest and drink plenty of fluids. Take pain relievers to lower your fever and relieve the aches, such as:

  • acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • naproxen (Aleve)

If you are at high risk of complications, and if it is early in the infection, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for treating flu, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu, generic versions).

Prevention

To better predict how long the flu will last, take steps to reduce your risk of contracting the virus and experiencing severe symptoms. Consider the following steps, as suggested in the Harvard Special Report A Guide to Women’s Health: Fifty and Forward.

  • Get an annual flu vaccine.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or touching your face.
  • Contact your doctor for promptly if you get flu symptoms.
  • Quit smoking. Smokers are more likely to get the flu than nonsmokers.

These steps won’t guarantee that you’ll escape the flu this year, but they may help prevent it. And they may help reduce the amount of time the flu lasts if you do become infected with the virus.

– By Heidi Godman

Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter

Dispel misinformation about the flu vaccine, sickness, treatment, and recovery by finding out these 10 Flu Myths.

Influenza (flu) – Better Health Channel

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications (including pneumonia). It affects people of all ages. The flu is usually spread by breathing in droplets from coughs and sneezes that contain the virus.

The flu is a seasonal infection that usually occurs from April to September. Flu seasons vary in severity and duration from year to year. In a year of high influenza activity, it is estimated that the flu can contribute to more than 3,300 deaths in Australia.

Even healthy people can sometimes die from the flu. Some Victorians are at increased risk of serious disease and complications of flu, like young children, the elderly, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with a weakened immune system or a chronic medical condition.

During 2023, amidst the fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, continued seasonal flu activity is anticipated as borders remain open and interstate and international travel increases.

Vaccination is key to protecting yourself and those around you from the flu.

Symptoms of the flu

The most common symptoms of the flu are:

  • sudden appearance of a high fever (38°C or more)
  • a dry cough
  • body aches (especially in the head, lower back and legs)
  • feeling extremely weak and tired (and not wanting to get out of bed).

Other symptoms can be:

  • chills
  • aching behind the eyes
  • loss of appetite
  • sore throat
  • runny or stuffy nose.

Having the flu is even more likely if you have been in contact with someone who already has it.

Diagnosing the flu

Flu and other kinds of viruses can only be confirmed by a doctor after a nose or throat swab has returned positive results.

Difference between the flu and COVID-19

The symptoms of COVID-19External Link and the flu can be similar.

If you are unwell with flu-like symptoms, contact the COVID-19External Link hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or your GP to check if you require COVID-19 testing.

The symptoms of COVID-19 to watch out for are:

  • loss or change in sense of smell or taste
  • fever
  • chills or sweats
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath
  • runny nose.

Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

What to expect with the flu

Symptoms of the flu can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. A bout of the flu typically follows this pattern:

  • Days 1–3: Sudden appearance of fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose.
  • Day 4: Fever and muscle aches decrease. Hoarse, dry or sore throat, cough and possible mild chest discomfort become more noticeable. You may feel tired or flat.
  • Day 8: Symptoms decrease. Cough and tiredness may last one to two weeks or more.

What about flu complications?

In some cases of the flu, severe illness and complications (such as pneumonia and bronchitis) can develop. This can result in hospitalisation and even death.

The flu can also make some existing medical conditions worse.

In Victoria, flu vaccination is free for people with a higher risk of severe complications associated with the flu:

  • all children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months and over
  • pregnant women – at any stage of pregnancy
  • people 65 years and over
  • people aged 6 months and older with medical conditions putting them at higher risk of severe flu and its complications:
    • cardiac disease
    • chronic respiratory conditions
    • chronic neurological conditions
    • immunocompromising conditions
    • diabetes and other metabolic disorders
    • renal disease
    • haematological disorders
    • children aged 6 months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.

Speak to your immunisation provider to see if you meet the eligibility for free flu vaccine.

How can I avoid getting the flu?

Getting a flu vaccine every year is recommended for everyone aged 6 months or older. People in the above groups are eligible for free flu vaccination each year under the National Immunisation ProgramExternal Link.

While not 100% effective, the flu vaccine provides a high level of protection and can reduce symptoms in those still getting sick.

COVID-19 vaccinesExternal Link can be co-administered (that is, given on the same day, one after the other) with a flu vaccineExternal Link. Speak to your immunisation provider for advice about COVID-19 and flu vaccines for children aged 6 months to less than 5 years.

Wearing a face mask and practicing good hand hygiene can help to reduce your chances of catching the flu or passing it on to others.

I think I have the flu – should I see a doctor?

Anyone at a higher risk of serious illness with flu-like symptoms should see their doctor as soon as possible.

Most people who are generally healthy won’t need to see their doctor for the flu. As symptoms of the flu are similar to COVID-19, talk to your doctor about testing for COVID-19 infection.

If you have the flu, try to rest, maintain a good fluid intake, and manage your symptoms. This will help you recover and prevent dehydration. Your immune system will fight the infection and symptoms will usually clear up on their own.

If you do need to see a GP for your symptoms, make sure you call ahead first so they can make sure there’s no one in an at-risk group around when you have your appointment.

When to seek medical attention

See your doctor if you have any concerns or are in a high-risk group for severe infection. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • difficulty breathing
  • chest pain
  • sudden dizziness
  • confusion
  • severe vomiting
  • fever with a rash.

How can I avoid giving the flu to other people?

It is important we all play our part in helping fight the flu and to protect our health system.

Aside from getting your flu shot, follow these 3 simple steps to stop the spread of the flu:

Step 1 – Cough or sneeze into your elbow

If you feel a cough or sneeze is coming on, make sure to cough or sneeze into your elbow. It’s a part of your body less likely to touch other surfaces and will help stop the spread of nasty germs.

Step 2 – Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly

  • Our hands are one of the top spreaders of viruses. The flu virus is carried in almost invisible droplets from saliva, sneezes, coughs, and runny noses.
  • Flu viruses can live on surfaces such as lift buttons or handrails for up to 48 hours and are spread when people touch an infected surface.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds – especially if you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol.

Step 3 – Rest and recover at home

  • If you are sick, rest at home and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid going out, even to the supermarket, where you risk spreading the virus to others. Wear a mask if you need to go out.
  • If you start to experience more serious symptoms, seek medical attention.

Looking after yourself when you have the flu

The best things you can do to look after yourself when you have the flu are:

  • Rest – you will probably feel very weak and tired until your temperature returns to normal (about 3 days). Rest provides comfort and allows your body to use its energy to fight the infection.
  • Stay at home – stay away from work, school and any places where you may have contact with others, especially while you are contagious. The period during which adults are contagious is usually around 3–5 days from when the first symptoms appear, and up to 7 days in younger children.
  • Drink plenty of fluids – extra fluids are needed to replace those lost because of the fever (through sweating). If your urine is dark, you need to drink more. Try to drink a glass of fluids, such as water, every hour while you are awake.

What medications should I take for the flu?

The flu is a viral infection so antibiotics won’t help and should not be taken.

Antiviral medications, if started in the first 2 days after symptoms start, can shorten the length of your illness. These need to be prescribed by your doctor.

Decongestants and simple pain relievers can help you feel better while your body’s immune system fights off the infection.

Tips for buying over-the-counter medications

Follow these tips for buying over-the-counter medication for the flu:

  • Buy a remedy that treats only one symptom – this way you are not taking any substances you do not need, or that may trigger an adverse reaction.
  • Read the medication label and check:
    • whether the active ingredient treats your symptoms
    • possible side effects
    • possible interactions with any medications, (including prescription and over-the-counter, medicines (such as vitamins and mineral supplements and herbal medicines)
    • whether the medication is safe for you to take if you have any health conditions
  • If you are unsure if a medication is suitable for you to take, or if you have any other questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest a medication that is appropriate and safe for you to take.

Useful tips to aid recovery from the flu

Other useful flu recovery tips include:

  • Take simple pain-relieving medication (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen), as directed on the packet, to ease muscle pain and bring down your fever (unless your doctor says otherwise).
  • Never give any medications that contain aspirin to children (under 12 years) unless advised by a doctor. The combination of the flu and aspirin in this age group has been known to cause Reye’s syndromeExternal Link – a very serious condition affecting the nervous system and liver.
  • Antibiotics are not effective against the flu because influenza is a virus, and antibiotics fight bacteria. However, your doctor may prescribe them if you develop a bacterial infection on top of the flu.
  • Gargle with a glass of warm water to ease a sore throat. Sucking on sugar-free lollies or lozenges also helps.
  • A hot water bottle or heating pad may help relieve muscle pain. A warm bath may also be soothing.
  • Use saline nose drops or spray to help soothe or clear a stuffy nose. These decongestants help shrink swollen blood vessels in the nose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which medication will be the best for you.
  • Do not smoke – this will irritate your damaged airways.
  • Try warm, moist air inhalation. Boil a kettle, wait a minute for the water to slightly cool, and carefully empty the hot water into a bowl. Place the bowl on a steady surface, such as a table. Put a towel over your head and inhale the warm air in the bowl for up to 20 minutes. There is no need to add anything to the water. Be careful not to touch the water and keep it out of reach of children.
  • Ask for help if you live alone or care for others. You may need support until you feel better.
  • Remember, if you buy medicine at the pharmacy to treat your symptoms (over-the-counter medications), check with the pharmacist to see which one is right for you. Let them know if you have a chronic illness or are taking any other medication.

Where to get help

  • In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
  • Your GP (doctor)
  • NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
  • Your pharmacist
  • National Immunisation ProgramExternal Link

Hepatitis

Regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this type of disease

in children can be contacted by phone (8652) 24-13-61 (children’s department, head) – children’s hepatological center.

in adults – by phone (8652) 24-44-75 (adult department, head Olga Anatolyevna Kostenko) – adult hepatology center with outpatient reception.

What is hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis is a common and dangerous infectious disease. They can manifest themselves in different ways, but among the main symptoms are jaundice and pain in the right hypochondrium. To diagnose hepatitis, you need to do a blood test, urine test, and in difficult cases, a liver biopsy.

Of all forms of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A is the most common. From the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease, it takes from 7 to 50 days. Most often, the onset of the disease is accompanied by a rise in temperature and may resemble the flu. Most cases end spontaneously and do not require active treatment. In severe cases, droppers are prescribed to eliminate the toxic effect of the virus on the liver.

The hepatitis B virus is transmitted sexually, by injection with non-sterile syringes in drug addicts, from mother to fetus. In typical cases, the disease begins with fever, weakness, joint pain, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes there are rashes. There is an increase in the liver and spleen. There may also be darkening of the urine and discoloration of the stool.

Hepatitis C is the most severe form of viral hepatitis, also called post-transfusion hepatitis. This means that they fell ill after a blood transfusion. This is due to the fact that testing of donated blood for the hepatitis C virus began only a few years ago. Quite often, infection occurs through syringes in drug addicts. Sexual transmission is also possible from mother to fetus. The greatest danger is the chronic form of this disease, which often turns into cirrhosis and liver cancer. Chronic course develops in approximately 70-80% of patients. The combination of hepatitis C with other forms of viral hepatitis sharply aggravates the disease and threatens with a fatal outcome.

Prevention of hepatitis.

To protect yourself from infection with hepatitis, you must follow simple rules.

Do not drink unboiled water, always wash fruits and vegetables, do not neglect the heat treatment of food. In this way, you can prevent infection with hepatitis A, the transmission of which is associated with contamination of food with the faeces of a sick person. The great rule “Wash your hands before eating” is a guarantee of health in this case too.

In general, contact with other people’s body fluids should be avoided. For protection against hepatitis B and C – primarily with blood. In microscopic quantities, blood can remain on razors, toothbrushes, nail scissors. Do not share these items with other people.

In medical institutions, measures are taken to prevent infection with hepatitis. However, if you had an endoscopy or dental treatment ten to fifteen years ago, when the fight against hepatitis was not yet carefully organized, you need to get checked. There is still a small risk of infection today.

Never share syringes and needles for taking drugs. Never use non-sterile piercings and tattoos. Remember – the hepatitis virus is very tenacious and, in contrast to the AIDS virus, it persists in the external environment for a long time (sometimes up to several weeks). Invisible traces of blood can remain even on the straws used in the use of cocaine, so in this case, too, one should be wary of infection.

Hepatitis B is most commonly transmitted sexually, but hepatitis C can also be transmitted. Particular care must be taken when having sex during menstruation and anal intercourse, but sometimes oral sex can also be dangerous.

Hepatitis is also transmitted by the so-called “vertical” way – from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, during breastfeeding. With proper medical support, you can try to avoid infection of the baby – this will require careful adherence to hygiene rules and medication.

However, the mode of transmission of hepatitis very often remains unknown. To be completely calm, it is necessary to vaccinate.

Patients

Insurance companies

Territorial Compulsory Medical Fund

insurance of the Stavropol Territory

On December 1, a digital compulsory health insurance policy was introduced

To all insured persons in the compulsory health insurance system

from December 1, 2022, digital MHI policies became available. Now in

it will be enough for a medical organization to present a passport or

birth certificate for children under 14. Introduction of digital policy

saves patients from unnecessary paperwork and makes receiving

medical care is more convenient and affordable.

« If the CHI policy was previously made on paper or in

in the form of a plastic card with an electronic medium on which

is recorded

information about the insured person, now the CHI policy is

digital. That is, this is the digital code of the record of the insured citizen

in the unified register of insured persons of the state information

of the compulsory medical insurance system ,” said the director of the Territorial Fund

compulsory medical insurance of the Stavropol Territory Sergey Troshin.

At the same time, previously issued

remain valid and do not require replacement

CHI policies on paper and in the form of a plastic card.

How to get a digital CHI policy?

From December 2022, data on compulsory medical insurance policies will be entered into a single

register of insured persons: the record of the owner will be automatically

created at birth or acquisition of Russian citizenship.

Initially, the register was formed on the basis of previously created

territorial CHI funds information on insured persons,

as well as data provided by government agencies, including the registry office. Citizens

Russia, which were previously insured, December 1 of the current year

are automatically included in the unified register of insured persons.

At the request of a citizen, a digital CHI policy can be issued

medical insurance organization in the form of a document on material

carrier – extract from the unified register of insured persons , including

information about the insured person and a graphic representation of digital

CHI policy code. In addition, it can be issued in the form of barcode ,

created with the help of the portal “Gosuslugi”.

« Digital CHI policy can be stored in your personal account at

portal “Gosuslugi”, in the phone and on any other electronic device “,

– explained the head of the fund Sergey Troshin.

What should I go to the clinic or hospital with now?

From December 1, 2022 when applying for medical assistance

the insured is obliged to present, at his choice, the CHI policy for

tangible media, or policy statement, or document,

identity card: passport of a citizen of Russia, for children in

under the age of fourteen – birth certificate. At the same time

the medical organization is obliged to check the validity of the policy

CHI in the unified register of insured citizens.

TFOMS of the Stavropol Territory recommends when contacting

medical organization to have a document containing a single number

policies. This will increase the efficiency of establishing the fact of insurance

and will reduce the risk of conflict situations if

the citizen did not inform the insurance company in a timely manner about

changing or obtaining a passport ,” said Inna Legkova,

Deputy Director of TFOMS SK.

Insured persons are required to notify the health insurance

organization on changing the last name, first name and patronymic, data

identity document, place of residence within

one month from the day these changes took place.

« If the patient has lost the CHI policy on a tangible medium and

has not yet received an extract as an alternative for unambiguous

identification, especially at the initial stage, you can use

certificate of validity of the insurance record.