Self-care Time Frames

2. Self-care Time Frames • Each symptom evaluation chart has a suggested time frame for using self-care measures. • The time frame is underlined and in italics. • If you don’t start to get better within the suggested time frame, see a health care provider. • If at any time you think you are getting worse, see a health care provider. 

3. Manage Symptoms Using Self-care • Step 1. Prevent symptoms from occurring. • Step 2.Read and use the self-care measures. • Step 3. Use common non-medications/home remedies. • Step 4.Use available OTC medications. • Step 5. See a health care provider.

4. Using Over-the-Counter Medications (OTC) • OTC medications are available through the Self-care Program in the Self-care Pharmacy. • Follow all directions from the pharmacist as well as instructions on the package. • Follow all instructions on the self-care “green sheet”.

5. Over-The-Counter Drugs (OTC Rx) • Non-prescription medications. • Most OTCs relieve symptoms only. • Some cure minor medical problems. • Others prevent minor illness. • Make sure you read and follow the directions. • Learn to recognize generic names.

6. OTCs That Relieve Symptoms • Analgesics: Motrin IB (Ibuprofen - generic name) • Anti-Itch Creams: Cortaid (Hydrocortisone) • Cough Suppressants: Sucrets Cough Suppressant • Nasal Decongestants: Sudafed (pseudoephedrine - generic name) • Sore Throat Lozenges: Cepacol

7. OTCs That Cure Minor Illness • Antifungals: Miconazole Cream • Antibiotic Ointments: Bacitracin • Acne Treatment: Benzoyl Peroxide

8. OTCs That Prevent Illness • Body Powders: Talcum Powder • Mole Skin: Mole Foam • Stool Softeners: Colace (Ducosate) • Skin Protection: Sunscreen

9. Pharmacy • Over-the-Counter Medication Usage Guidelines. • Report all known allergies. • Ask questions. • Frequency • Dosage • Side effects • Precautions

10. Important Points to Remember You may use the Self-care Program and sick call at different times and in different situations. • Up to five OTC drugs can be issued at one time and all must relate to the chief complaint. • OTCs cannot be shared with your buddies. • OTCs can mask serious symptoms.

11. Symptom Evaluation Charts Exercise • Scenario 1: Soldier thinks he/she has a cold. Symptoms: pain around the eyes and in the head, no fever, no cough, and a stuffy nose. • Scenario 2: Soldier strained or pulled a muscle during exercise. • Scenario 3: Soldier has menstrual cramps.

12. Sample Green Sheet TROOP MEDICAL CLINIC (TMC) SELF-CARE PROGRAMTREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SYMPTOMS/CONDITIONS I am aware that I am participating in a self-care program. I understand that to properly perform self-care and safely treat any symptom(s) of conditions(s) that I may have during training I must follow the symptom evaluation charts. I also understand that I am responsible for carefully following the directions for use of any medication received through this program. I verify that I have read the self-care decision guide and the recommendations provided therein. I also verify that I am requesting treatment options(s) voluntarily. I also agree that I will not share medication with anyone and that I will be the sole user. What allergies, to include medications, do you have?_________________________________________ What medicines are you presently taking? ______________________________________________ Print Name Print SSN Date Signature Unit: Sex: M F INSTRUCTIONS: After reading the Soldier Health Maintenance Manual and identifying the proper treatment option(s), find the symptom(s)/condition(s) that you have on the list below. Circle it. Then follow the line across to find the treatment option(s) for your symptom(s)/condition(s). Circle the treatment you would like to receive. Request the identified treatment option(s) from the Consolidated Troop Medical Clinic Pharmacy. Treatment requests will be limited to five items. NOTE: You can select Daytime OR Robo DM liquid but NOT BOTH. You can select Daytime OR SudaGest, but NOT BOTH.

13. SYMPTOM/CONDITION:TREATMENT OPTION Acne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medication (Benzoyl Peroxide) Allergies & Hay Fever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SudaGest Decongestant (Pseudoephedrine)* Athletes Foot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miconazole Nitrate Antifungal Cream Blisters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mole Skin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Band-Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bacitracin Antibiotic Ointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baby Powder (Talc) Constipation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Genasoft (Ducosate) Cough with congestion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daytime* Cough (dry) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robo DM liquid* Cut or Scrape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bacitracin Antibiotic Ointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Band-Aid Diarrhea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anti-Diarrheal (Loperamide) Earache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ibuprofen Tablets Headache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ibuprofen Tablets Heat Rash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baby Powder (Talc) Insect Bite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calamine Lotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cortaid Cream (Hydrocortisone) Jock Itch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miconazole Nitrate Antifungal Cream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baby Powder (Talc) Muscle Pain & Inflammation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ibuprofen Tablets Nasal or Sinus Congestion (without cough) . . . . . . . . . . . . . SudaGest Decongestant (Pseudoephedrine)* Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac . . . . . . . . . . . . Cortaid Cream (Hydrocortisone) PreMenstrual Syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ibuprofen Tablets Ringworm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miconazole Nitrate Antifungal Cream Runny Nose or sneezing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SudaGest Decongestant (Pseudoephedrine) Sore Throat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cepacol Upset Stomach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maalox Antacid Plus Vaginitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gyne-Lotrimin (vaginal insert) SAMPLE

14. Using the Green Sheet • Scenario 1: Soldier thinks he/she has a cold. Symptoms: pain around the eyes and in the head, no fever, no cough, and a stuffy nose. • Scenario 2: Soldier strained or pulled a muscle during exercise. • Scenario 3: Soldier has menstrual cramps.

15. For Emergency Symptoms • Self-care is only for minor health problems. If you are sick or hurt, get medical help right away. Tell your Drill Sergeant. • If you are very sick or badly hurt, call 911. Don’t risk your health.

16. Get Medical Care for these SIGNS and SYMPTOMS • Fever > 100.5 F • Severe pain. • Vomiting. • Blood in stools, urine, or vomit. • Any major injury. • Any dark colored or foul smelling discharge. • Shortness of breath, mental confusion, or fainting. • Signs of continuing infection.

17. Questions?

18. Self-care Quiz

19. Self-care Quiz 1. Self-care is taking care of your own health for treatment of minor health problems. a. True b. False • I can get up to 5 self-care medications for minor health symptoms that I might have. a. True b. False

20. Self-care Quiz 3. Ibuprofen tablets are available through the Self-care Program. a. True b. False 4. To use the Self-care Program, I have to fill out a “green sheet.” a. True b. False 5. If I answer “yes” to a question on a symptom evaluation chart, I must use sick call. a. True b. False

21. Self-care Quiz 6. I can share medications from the Self-care Program with my battle buddies. a. True b. False 7. Information about over-the-counter (OTC) medications is located in the Soldier Health Maintenance Manual. a. True b. False 8. The pharmacist can answer questions that I may have about OTC medications. a. Yes b. No

22. Self-care Quiz 9. If I have severe pain and vomiting, I should: a. Get medical help right away. b. Use the Self-care program. 10. If I have a symptom that is not in the book, I should use: a. the Self-care Program b. Sick call.