No one ever wants to get the Flu, but it is especially important for us to do everything we can to avoid it this flu season. The Flu is a respiratory illness that is cause by the influenza virus and it infects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. The infection that the virus causes can be mild to severe and sometimes lead to death.  Some of the symptoms of the flu are coughing, runny nose, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and body aches. This virus is also contagious and is usually spread by infected respiratory droplets that are inhaled by a healthy person. It is not as likely, but the virus can also be spread from objects that are contaminated.

The symptoms of the flu and the way it spreads are very similar to the COVID-19 virus that has been plaguing the world since January. The combination of these two viruses circulating at the same time could be disastrous. The healthcare system has already been strained with meeting the need of those who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. The possible additional influx of sick people, due to the flu virus could make it increasingly challenging for people to get the care they need. It is important that we take as many precautions as possible to prevent the spread of the flu, especially this year.

We are already taking a lot of the precautions needed to slow/stop the spread of the flu virus, such as wearing masks, washing our hands frequently, not touching our faces, disinfecting frequently touched objects, and staying home if we are sick. There is another way that we can protect ourselves and community from the flu by getting the flu shot! It is advised that every person 6 months or older get the shot every flu season, as it can prevent contraction of the virus or lessen the effect of the symptoms.

If you are feeling sick or having flu like symptoms come into ERgent Med! Our wait times are shorter, and our prices are affordable. We also have rapid flu and Covid-19 tests that will help us create a plan of care as efficiently as possible.

 It is our job to keep our community healthy, and we take that job very seriously!

Learn More about Flu Season 2020: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2020-2021.htm

If you are feeling sick or have an injury, where do you go? The emergency room or an urgent care clinic? The answer may not always be simple but knowing the difference between your options will help you make an informed decision that could save time, money, or your life. 

What is the Difference? 

Urgent care clinics treat minor non- life threating injuries and illnesses anywhere from earaches to minor fractures, while the emergency room treats major injuries and illnesses that threaten life and limb. Urgent care visits are much shorter compared to the emergency room and usually cost 2 – 3 times less. 

Below are short lists of conditions that are best suited to be treated at an urgent care clinic or an emergency room to help you in your health care decisions: 

Urgent care: 

• Fever and Flu Symptoms 
• Colds, Cough, Sore Throats  
• Minor Burns 
• Mild Asthma  
• Urinary Tract Infections 
• Strains and Sprains 
• Minor Lacerations 
• Minor Fractures 
• Headaches 
• X-rays 
• Lab Work  
• Back or Joint Pain 
• Vomiting and/or Diarrhea  
• Animal Bites 
• Abdominal Pain 
• Covid Screening 
• Rash 

Emergency Room: 

• Chest Pain or Difficulty Breathing 
• Weakness/Numbness on One Side 
• Fainting/ Loss of Consciousness 
• Serious Burns 
• Head Injury 
• Severe Abdominal Pain 
• Seizures 
• Severe Cuts 
• Blurry or loss of Vision 
• Severe allergic reactions 
• Motor Vehicle Accidents 
• Acute Confusion 
• Slurred Speech 

 The difference between the two is in the severity of the condition. If you are experiencing any life threating injury or illness, go to the emergency room, but if what you are experiencing is minor come to Ergent Med and utilize our convenient and affordable services, as well as our incredible staff. 

Learn More: 

https://www.experityhealth.com/resources/whats-the-difference-between-urgent-care-and-emergency-room/#:~:text=While%20emergency%20rooms%20serve%20those,typically%20do%20it%20more%20affordably. 

https://www.gohealthuc.com/UCvsER 

https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/understanding-insurance/urgent-care-emergency-roo

Wearing a mask has become a part of our everyday lives since the CDC recommended, in early April, that everyone should wear them when out in public and around those who do not live in their household. This recommendation came after we learned that some individuals were actually carrying the virus even though they did not have any symptoms. It was even discovered that people carrying the virus could be most contagious when symptoms were mild or when they didn’t have any symptoms. But how does wearing a mask help to slow the spread of COVID-19? 

COVID-19 is spread through the respiratory droplets that are released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or raises their voice. These infected droplets can then be inhaled into the respiratory tract or lungs and possibly infect those who are near. Wearing a mask is beneficial because the masks help “catch” these droplets and slow them from traveling as far in the air, giving the droplets less of a chance to enter the respiratory tract and lungs of others and spread the virus. The cloth masks that the CDC recommends are not to be considered personal protective equipment, the purpose of these masks is to protect others from your potentially infected droplets. Therefore, wearing masks are most effective when a large majority of the population are wearing them. Masks are an important part of how we can slow the spread, but they need to be used in conjunction with the other measures that the CDC recommends like social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces.  

Learn more about mask:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause various respiratory symptoms and illnesses, ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory illnesses such as SARS (Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Think of Coronavirus as being a tree, with many branches, or subtypes,  including the most recently named subtype, COVID-19 (short for Coronavirus Disease 2019).

COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China, and has since begun to spread. It has heavily affected the populations of China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea and continues to spread, as most viruses do.

Here are the Basics that you should know about COVID-2019 (Coronavirus Disease 2019):

1. Am I at Risk?

The number of reported cases of COVID-19 are increasing daily in the United States. People who are in areas with larger outbreaks or who have visited areas are at higher risk for development.  If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, you are at a higher risk for development.

2. How Severe is COVID-19?

Most people that contract COVID-19 will only have mild common cold and respiratory symptoms. We have observed that for children and younger adults the virus is relatively mild. Elderly adults and individuals with other serious health conditions (such as pre-existing lung disease, poorly controlled diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or immune suppression) are at higher risk for developing severe symptoms from Coronavirus 2019.

3. How can we protect and prevent COVID-19? WASH YOUR HANDS frequently and for at least 20 seconds each washing. If you have respiratory symptoms, or are in contact with someone with respiratory symptoms, wear a mask, sneeze into your arm, cover your mouth when you cough, and continue washing your hands. Do not touch your face! Keep your fingers out of your eyes, nose, and mouth! Use hand sanitizers and wipe down any objects in frequent use with antibacterial cleansers. Stand at least 3 feet away from people that are coughing or sneezing when possible. Wearing more than one mask is not more effective. Smoking is more harmful and dangerous in the setting of Coronavirus.
4. How is COVID-19 Treated? There are no antibiotics or antivirals to date to prevent or treat COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, rest, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration, try to continue eating even if appetite is poor, stay home and quarantine yourself to avoid spreading the illness, continue hygiene and prevention practices, and use supportive medications as needed (Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for fevers if necessary, Decongestants if appropriate, Cold and Cough medications if necessary). If you develop severe respiratory symptoms, seek medical attention right away and notify your healthcare provider before you go if possible.
5. When should I seek medical care? Seek medical care if you have severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, fevers over 104F that will not resolve despite taking Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen, or if you develop symptoms such as wheezing, chest congestion that makes you feel short of breath, labored breathing, significant dizziness, or prolonged symptoms beyond 5-7 days.

Reliable Resources on COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019):

WHO (World Health Organization)

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html