FAQs
What is the COVID-19?
It is a new type of infection discovered in December 2019, so it is called a novel infection. It is a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan City, China. It is abbreviated as 2019-nCoV.
What is the source of infection for the COVID-19?
COVID-19 cover a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections, including the common cold. Initially, many people who became ill in Wuhan, China, had a link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting that the virus likely started with an animal source. Now we have also clearly seen human to human infection.
What symptoms does COVID-19 cause?
Symptoms are difficult to differentiate from the flu and include mild to severe respiratory illness associated with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
How does the virus spread?
It is likely spreading by respiratory droplets produced with a cough or sneeze. How easy it is to catch this infection from another person has not yet been determined.
Has anyone in the U.S. gotten infected?
Yes, the infection is now considered a pandemic with worldwide involvement. The infection has been identified in more than 150,000 people in more than 100 countries. There are now more than 5,000 confirmed cases in the U.S., 79 deaths have been reported across the U.S. as of mid-March, 2020. The numbers continue to increase daily.
How can I protect myself?
Cover your coughing or sneezing with a tissue and wash your hands with soap and water. Stay away from others with respiratory symptoms such as cough, sneeze and fever. Get your flu shot. While the flu shot will not prevent coronavirus, it will help to protect you during the current flu season.
Is it safe to travel to China?
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory to China recommending that Americans not travel to China at all. On January 31, 2020, the Department of State ordered the departure of all family members under age 21 of U.S. personnel in China. All U.S. citizens have been advised to leave China as soon as possible. If it is not possible to leave China, the State Department recommends that people stay in their homes as much as possible, limit contact with other people, and avoid contact with animals and stock up on food supplies.
Is it safe to travel to other countries?
All nonessential travel abroad by plane or cruise ship should be avoided. Level 3 or high-risk travel is now identified in China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and all of Europe, including the United Kingdom and England. Strictly enforced lockdowns have been established in several countries. Travel back to the U.S. from these countries can be difficult and President Trump has required screening of travelers via one of 13 U.S. airports and 14 days of self-quarantines for even asymptomatic U.S. citizens returning from many countries.
Is there a vaccine against COVID-19?
Not at this time. The flu vaccine does not protect against this coronavirus, but remains a good idea to protect for seasonal influenza infection.
What is the treatment for COVID-19?
There is no specific antiviral treatment for this infection. Supportive care, such as medicines to lower fever and reduce cough, should be given. For more severe infection, hospitalization may be necessary.
How do you test a person for COVID-19?
At this time, diagnostic testing for this virus can only be performed through state health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC), and most recently through LabCorp and Quest. Drive-thru testing is being set up now.
Who should be tested for COVID-19?
A person who develops fever, cough and shortness of breath within 14 days after personal travel to a high-risk region or after close contact with someone who has just returned from a high-risk region or who has been exposed to someone with known or suspected coronavirus, should call their health-care provider. The health-care provider will decide whether or not to direct the individual to the local emergency department or state health department regarding care and assessment for testing.
I feel fine. Should I just go about my business as usual?
No. We have now identified that people can be contagious with COVID-19 before they show symptoms. Careful hand washing before and after meals and before and after using the restroom is very important. You should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Social distancing is also important. Slow the spread of the infection by avoiding large groups such as sporting events, concerts and large public gatherings. Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between people. Avoid close contact such as shaking hands, hugging and kissing.
Can I go to work?
That requires an individual discussion with your employer, but you should inquire about the possibility of working from home if the tasks of your job would allow for work at home.
Why are the schools closed? Can I take my children to play with groups of friends?
That requires an individual discussion with your employer, but you should inquire about the possibility of working from home if the tasks of your job would allow for work at home.
What does “flatten the curve” mean?
The COVID-19 spreads rapidly if people interact under normal conditions. A certain percentage of people with the infection, particularly the elderly, may require hospitalization and even intensive care. Each country, including the U.S., has a limited number of hospitals, equipment and staff. We do not want everyone to get very sick at one time and overwhelm the capability of the hospitals to provide care. We want the pandemic to move more slowly so that not everyone gets sick all at once.
Blue Sky Fertility locations remain open and available to serve you. COVID-19 is an evolving issue. Please follow the CDC website and do not hesitate to call our office with any questions.
Ready to Get Started on Your Journey to Parenthood?
To see how the Blue Sky Fertility can put your fertility goals in motion, call us at 816-301-5506 to schedule an appointment, or fill out the form* and we will contact you.
“Dr. Riggs and the entire staff were top notch. I have said on a few occasions that my wife and I received VIP treatment. He valued and respected our time, and was thorough in explaining each step of the IVF process. I felt that we were closely monitored from retrieval through the embryo transfer, and made sure that we were an active participant in each decision along the way. It is with high regard that I recommend Dr. Riggs and his staff for fertility challenges.”
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Why Choose Blue Sky Fertility?
We offer some of the highest success rates in the country
Our focus is you and your growing family.
Achieving pregnancy can be a sensitive and a stressful time — we buld relationships with our clients, making sure our patients don’t feel like a number. You will receive a customized treatment plan, designed to meet your needs. We are with you from the start, to the finish, until we have realized your fertility goals.
Our standard is simple - We commit to truly treat you like family.
Unmatched Technology, Skill, and Success Rates.
Blue Sky Fertility is dedicated to making your dream of building a family into reality. With our knowledgeable staff, state of the art equipment and excellent outcomes, we can offer you the best chances at getting your family started in the shortest amount of time possible.
Affordable, Honest Fertility Care.
Our pricing structure is simple, understandable and highly affordable. At Blue Sky Fertility we refuse to compromise the quality of our care. We offer more success, priced far less than our competitors. Insurance and financing for quality infertility treatment should not be difficult or cost prohibitive. Whether you need ovulation induction or in-vitro fertilization (IVF), medications, procedures and other expenses shouldn’t spread your financial resources thin. While we take a wide range of insurances, we also offer out-of-pocket IVF programs created to give our patients without coverage the chance to starting a family.
Treatment Options
›› Clomid
›› Gonadotropins
›› Surgical Treatments
›› IUI
›› In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
›› ICSI
›› Donor Eggs
›› Donor Sperm
›› PGS / PGD
›› LGBTQ Fertility Solutions
“The best thing Dr. Riggs said to us on our first visit was, "If you want a baby, I'll give you a baby." We are currently 4 months along and only went through one IVF cycle. Dr Riggs is extremely knowledgeable with infertility and I believe does everything possible to make sure you get what you ultimately want....a child. I never felt like they were there just to make money off of us. We highly recommend Dr. Riggs!!!”
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“I have been recommending Dr. Riggs since I met him in May. In the scary world of infertility, he seems to ease the stresses of trying to conceive to with his knowledge, caring attitude, warm smile and proper treatment plans. His nurse, Michelle, has been our rock through our IVF cycle and has gone above and beyond to make sure everything was flawless. The girls in the office are so sweet and caring and understand your needs while going through during a tough time. These people have touched our lives forever and our family will always be grateful to Dr. Riggs and his staff.”
*Please do not use our email address or contact forms to send specific or personal medical information (protected health information) and/or ask for specific medical advice - electronic communications, including email and contact forms are not secure and could result in a breach of privacy and/or confidentiality. Use of email or any other form of electronic or digital communication or any of our contact forms does not constitute forming a physician/patient relationship.