Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

Ignoring symptoms can come with very serious consequences! In the spirit of good communication, never hesitate to share your symptoms with your medical care provider, even if you think the symptom is probably “not a big deal.” You should never feel embarrassed about reporting any symptoms — including symptoms in the genital area – as they may indicate a very serious medical problem. Your medical care provider will evaluate symptoms and treat the problem accordingly.

CARES provides clients with urgent medical needs access to a physician on call after regular business hours. On-call physicians have a full day of work during the daytime, but can be reached during the nighttime if there is an urgent problem. For non-urgent problems, we ask that you call our office the next business day to request an appointment.

You can also leave a voicemail for the nurse after hours at 916.914.6215, and the nurse will return your all the next business day.

Concerns that can wait until the next business day

• You need a prescription refilled. Our on-call physicians do not have after hours access to your medical record, and will not be able to help you get a medication refilled. Please carefully track your medication supplies and do not wait until you are running out to request a refill. Request a refill at least 5 business days before you need them. After hours, you can leave a voicemail with your pharmacy to request a refill.

• You need to make a follow-up appointment.

• You would like to get test results.

Symptoms that require a clinic appointment as soon as possible

The following symptoms are adapted from the book Men Like Us, by Daniel Wolfe. With any of these symptoms, you should call the clinic during business hours at 916.914.6215 to talk to the nurse about your problem and request an appointment. If you are not sure if you can wait until the next business day for one of these problems, you can call the UC Davis Medical Center operator at 916.734.2011 and ask them to connect you with the doctor on-call for CARES.

• Unexplained weight loss of more than 10 percent of your weight

• Diarrhea (three or more bowel movements a day) that lasts for more than two days

• Unexplained lump/growth on any part of the body

• Difficulty swallowing

• Skin rashes that last for more than a few days, a change in a mole, or unusual-looking new moles or skin growths

• Constant thirst

• Frequent urination

• Visible blood in your bowel movement or urine

• Fever over 100 degrees

• New tingling on your hands or your feet

Symptoms that are serious and may require EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE

If you encounter these problems after hours, call the UC Davis Medical Center operator RIGHT AWAY at 916.734.2011 and ask them to connect you with the doctor on call for CARES.

• Chest pain, particularly if it radiates down your left arm

• Sudden disturbance in vision, such as seeing sparks or large black spots, or developing partial blindness or loss of peripheral vision

• Sudden disturbance in speech

• Persistent numbness in any part of the body, especially concentrated on one side

• Vomiting blood

• Difficulty breathing, especially with activity

• Any intense, unremitting pain that makes activity impossible

• Unable to keep any fluids down

• Fever combined with rash, lethargy (extensive tiredness) and peeling skin

There may be other serious symptoms that are not on the list above, so remember:

IN CASE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY CALL 911 OR GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM.