As flu, COVID and other respiratory illnesses increase, Memorial Health System is advising people to take preventive measures, prioritize rest at home or seek medical attention elsewhere before heading to an emergency department.

“When needed, seeking care through a primary care provider or at a Physicians Care Express location can help ensure timely treatment and help keep emergency departments available for those in urgent, life-saving situations,” according to a release from the Health System.

The Memorial release said prevention is the first line of defense against respiratory illness. This includes washing hands frequently with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing a mask in public to help protect others and staying home when sick.

For individuals who do feel unwell, treatment and timely care, in the right setting, is important, the release said. Rest and hydration at home are key, it said.

Emergency care should be sought for respiratory illnesses if people experience the following:

* Difficulty breathing.

* Confusion or disorientation.

* A persistent high fever lasting more than three days, spiking a fever of more than 103 or accompanied by confusion or a rash.