Triple Threat of COVID, the flu, and RSV

Triple Threat of COVID, the flu, and RSV

This winter, there are three types of viruses spreading in the U.S. —COVID-19, the flu and RSV — this has been called a “tripledemic” in the medical world. You and your family could come down with one, or even all three, of these illnesses. Baker Hughes offers you coverage through your UHC Medical plan to help you get any care, including vaccines and tests, you may need.

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What are the three illnesses?

All three are respiratory infections. It can be hard to differentiate among COVID-19, the flu and RSV because they share similar symptoms and can also feel like a common cold.

The CDC provides information about all three infections, but here is an overview:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, usually causes cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, poor appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing
  • Influenza, commonly called the flu, signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who are sick with flu often have a fever, cough, sore throat, body and headaches, and fatigue
  • COVID-19, or COVID, symptoms can include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, loss of smell or taste, and body and muscle aches

Health care providers can run a test to determine which illness you have (and home test kits are available for COVID). There is no RSV vaccine, but there are vaccines for the flu and COVID. Your Baker Hughes UHC Medical plan covers vaccinations.

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Baker Hughes resources

UnitedHealthcare(UHC) is committed to keeping Baker Hughes employees and their family members healthy. If you or a family member need to seek care, your UHC Medical plan through Baker Hughes covers in-network doctor’s and urgent care visits at 80% – see the Medical plan comparison chart for details.

However, you may not need to leave your home! With Virtual Visits, UHC’s telemedicine program, you have24/7 access to physicians. A Virtual Visit lets you see and talk to a doctor from your mobile device or computer. You pay a $0 telemedicine copay after you meet the deductible. This applies only to Teladoc, Amwell, and Doctors on Demand, or Optum Virtual care (where available).

In addition, through CVS/caremark, get your flu and COVID vaccinations, get COVID test kits, and pick up any prescriptions. Learn more about your prescription drug coverage here.