MOBILE, Ala. — COVID is causing a different kind of health emergency in waiting rooms across South Alabama. Doctors are seeing more cases of advanced illnesses after a year of pandemic-delayed medical treatment.
Dr. Peter Rippey with USA Health said a yearlong delay in medical treatment has turned into advanced health issues for some of his patients.
“People who have forgone having their diabetes or perhaps their blood pressures checked for a while during all this. Now we are finding that their blood sugar is not under good control, and we have to adjust their medicines,” Rippey said.
With medical visits picking up again among patients vaccinated against COVID, doctors are starting to see more cases of advanced cancer, damaged teeth among other ailments.
Dr. Katrina Skinner with Fairhope Pediatrics said parents even avoided bringing kids to the doctor and she worries about the consequences.
“One of my big concerns you know as a pediatrician I would say, children who haven’t been vaccinated for preventable diseases,” Skinner said.
Many people avoided those health exams and appointments in fear of COVID lurking in waiting rooms.
“Medical offices are very adapted in making sure our offices are safe and comfortable. We take all the precautions to make sure that we are going to prevent the spread of germs.”
“I think if people feel well, they haven’t seen the doctor in a little while, I think now is the time to get in,” Rippey said.
