What to have ready for the call.
Note when symptoms began, whether they are improving or worsening, any measured temperature, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, breathing or chest symptoms, relevant health conditions, current medicines, and concerns you want to discuss.
Book your visit now for an offered phone slot, complete registration there, and follow Ava’s appointment status and instructions. The clinician reviews the concern. Diagnosis, prescriptions, referrals, laboratory requisitions, documents, payment, and next steps depend on that review; another setting may be recommended.
When an examination, testing, or another setting may be needed.
This guide cannot decide whether it is safe to wait or which care setting is right for an individual concern. Some concerns need an in-person examination, testing, or another setting. If you are unsure where to go, contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting for individual guidance. Use prompt in-person care if you are concerned about worsening symptoms.
Know when not to wait.
Call 911 or seek emergency care for severe trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, blue or grey lips, or another possible emergency.
Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or may be an emergency, use emergency services or immediate in-person care instead of waiting for a phone appointment.
Common questions about cold and flu symptoms.
Can I ask an online doctor about cold or flu symptoms in Alberta?
For a respiratory concern, a phone appointment booked on Ava lets a clinician review the symptoms and decide whether a virtual conversation or another care setting may fit. It does not identify the cause of symptoms or guarantee a virtual visit.
Where can I find current Alberta respiratory-illness information?
For current provincial respiratory-illness information, use Alberta.ca. It does not assess your symptoms or replace appropriate in-person care, urgent care, or emergency care.
Can Alberta’s respiratory-virus dashboard tell me what care I need?
No. Alberta’s dashboard reports aggregate provincial respiratory-virus information. It cannot assess an individual illness, indicate clinic capacity, or tell you which care setting is right. Use emergency care for a possible emergency, including by calling 911.
What details are useful to prepare?
A short timeline, any measured temperature, changes in symptoms, relevant health conditions, medicines, and questions you want answered can make a clinical conversation more useful.
When should I seek in-person guidance instead of sending an online request for cold or flu symptoms?
Call an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting when you are unsure which Alberta care setting fits or whether symptoms need prompt assessment. Call 911 or seek emergency care for severe trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, blue or grey lips, or another possible emergency.
Non-emergency phone appointment
Book your visit now.
For people physically in Alberta with a valid Alberta Health Care card. Book your visit now and select an offered phone appointment slot. Ava shows published slots for today or upcoming days when offered; this guide does not promise availability or a turnaround time. If Ava does not offer a suitable slot, check its published upcoming slots or use appropriate in-person care. If your concern cannot wait, use appropriate in-person care; call 911 for a possible emergency.