Upstate’s Public Health Hotline expands hours to accommodate questions on RSV, influenza

As cases of RSV and flu are now in the community, Upstate Medical University’s Public Health Hotline has expanded its hours.  The hotline is now answering calls from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

The Public Health Hotline number is 315-464-3979.

“People have many questions, most recently about RSV and the flu, from symptom management to when should my child see a doctor,” said Joey Angelina, RN, MS, who co-directs the hotline with Michele Caliva, MA, BSN, RN, CSPI. “Our team of Upstate nurses will be available to answer questions and get you on the path to feeling better.”

Caliva said a special focus of the hotline, especially when it comes to children with RSV, will be to recommend where to go if one needs to see a health professional. “Nurses will let you know if you should be seen by your primary care physician, or whether you take your child to Golisano After Hours Care or the Pediatric emergency room,” she said.

Angelina and Caliva say that the information hotline is not 9-1-1. Calls for medical assistance should always be directed to 9-1-1.

RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial virus is a common respiratory virus. While most people recover in a couple weeks, RSV can be serious, especially for infants.