When you are feeling terrible, your first thought is usually “How do I get better?” Whether what you’re feeling is a common cold, or the flu, seems like a formality. However, it could be an important distinction, especially if you are one of the millions of Americans at risk for complications.

Both the common cold and the flu are viral infections that can spread quickly, especially through close contact. Because both are viral, antibiotics will not be effective and will not be prescribed. However, a Quick Care Med provider may be able to help you by treating the symptoms, and by ensuring there is nothing more serious going on.

Common Cold Symptoms

A cold can make you feel miserable. The good news is that should only last a few days to a week. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you probably have a cold:
• The initial symptom for most people is a sore throat. This usually only lasts for the first day or two
• A stuffy, runny nose usually follows, along with nasal congestion
• Mild body aches and/or fatigue are common
• Adults will rarely have a fever. A low-grade fever may be present in children
• A cough may develop 3 to 5 days into the cold

You do not need to see a medical professional for a cold unless it persists for more than a week. At that point, if symptoms are not improving, or are getting worse, you may have developed a bacterial infection, and you should seek medical attention.

Symptoms of the Flu

The flu is a more serious viral infection that can progress to other illnesses, like pneumonia, especially if you are in one of the at-risk categories – the very young, the very old, and anyone who has a weakened immune system. The flu should be closely monitored in at-risk patients, or anyone who is getting worse over time. Symptoms of the flu include:
• The illness comes on suddenly
• Moderate to severe body aches and fatigue
• Fever, especially above 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Exhaustion, especially during the first few days
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Diarrhea and vomiting (mainly in children)

If you visit a Quick Care Med provider within the first two days of the beginning of flu symptoms, the provider may be able to prescribe antiviral medication, which has been shown to have an impact on the severity of symptoms, and can also shorten the number of days you are sick with the flu. Those most at risk for complications should begin the antivirals whether or not they are within the two-day symptom period.
If you start to experience shortness of breath, or if your fever returns after being gone for a few days, see a provider right away as this could point to pneumonia.

Home Care for Cold and Flu

The following home care might help to relieve symptoms during your recovery:
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, like Acetaminophen, or Ibuprofen, for body aches and pains
• Gargle with warm salt water to relieve sore throat or earaches
• Drink lots of fluids, and REST
• Use a nasal rinse or saline drops
• Use a mentholated topical ointment to help with breathing
• Employ a vaporizer or humidifier
• Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines are not recommended for young children, but can be used to manage the symptoms of adults

Your Quick Care Med providers can perform tests to determine which treatments need to be administered, and how to get you back on your feet in no time!

The post Congestion, Runny Nose, and a Cough? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Whether you’ve suffered a bad sunburn, been scalded by hot liquid, or burned your arm on the BBQ grill, each and every burn should be carefully monitored.

Determining if you need to seek medical attention for a burn is difficult because they do tend to hurt badly, and for a long time. To help us with this, doctors classify burns based on degrees – the higher the degree of the burn, the more likely medical attention is necessary.

Two exceptions to this rule exist:

1) If any type of burn happens to someone very young or very old, a medical professional should be consulted.

2) If any type of burn covers a large area, especially a sensitive one, such as the face, groin, or buttocks, this should be evaluated by a medical professional.

Burns by Degree

The degree of the burn is determined by how much of the skin is damaged.

• First-degree burns only damage the outer layer of skin. The first-degree burn will be painful and red, but won’t have blisters. Most sunburns are first-degree burns. Many first-degree burns can be treated at home.
• Second-degree burns are often identified by the blisters that form on the skin. With second-degree burns, both the top layer of skin, and the layer underneath (the dermis) are damaged. Skin will often be swollen, and appear red, shiny, and wet. Quick Care Med providers can evaluate your burn and recommend treatment.
• Third-degree burns have damaged two full layers of skin, and likely destroyed nerve endings. Instead of red, this type of burn will often be brown, white, or yellow. Due to the destroyed nerves, the burn will not hurt as much as the first two, but will require treatment at an emergency room
• Fourth-degree burns are the most serious and are life-threatening. This type of burn not only destroys skin, but also muscles, tendons, and bones.

Treatment for Burns

• For treatment of minor, or first-degree burns, run the burn under cool water for five to 15 minutes, or apply a cool compress to the burn
• Antibiotic ointment may be applied to the burn
• DO NOT USE ice, butter, or other oils on the burn
• Cream containing aloe may help soothe the burning feeling
• Cover the burn with a non-stick gauze
• DO NOT pop blisters. If blisters pop on their own, clean the area, apply antibiotic ointment and keep covered
• Take over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain
Always keep an eye out for infections. If a burn is oozing, getting redder, or appears to be getting worse, visit Quick Care Med right away for assistance.

A Note About Sunburn

Many think of sunburn as just a part of living in Florida, but sunburns can be severe just like any other type of burn.
If a sunburn blisters, or is accompanied by fever and chills, it should be evaluated and treated by a Quick Care Med provider.

To avoid sunburn:

• Apply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF AT LEAST 20 MINUTES before going outside. Sunscreen takes that long to soak into your skin and offer protection. If you apply sunscreen once you’re outside, you can burn in the 20 minutes it takes for it to begin working. Reapply after swimming or every 2 hours
• Wear protective clothing whenever you have to be in the sun. Hats with wide brims, gauzy, breathable fabrics, and sunglasses will help protect you from the harmful rays
• Avoid being in direct sunlight when the sun is directly overhead – between the hours of 10am and 3pm
• Remember that sunburn can occur even on cloudy days, so if you’re outside, it’s best to be protected

The post Does This Burn Require Medical Treatment? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Allergies are very common. According to WebMD, 1 in 5 Americans suffers from some sort of allergy. And just because you were not allergic to something in the past, does not mean you are not allergic to it now.

What is an allergy?

Our bodies are designed to protect themselves from anything harmful that enters, or comes in contact with the skin. Allergies occur when the body mistakes the normal material for something dangerous, and reacts by releasing a chemical known as histamine. Too much histamine produces the allergy symptoms we experience.

Some allergic reactions can be very quick and hardly noticeable, and will go away once the allergen is removed. Others will stick around and make the body miserable. The most severe type of allergic reaction is known as anaphylactic shock, and this type of reaction can be very dangerous of even deadly.

Common allergy symptoms include:

-Itchy/Watery eyes

-Nasal drainage and/or itchy nose

-Sneezing

-Hives or skin rash

-Feeling overly tired/ill

More severe reactions could suggest your body is experiencing anaphylaxis, and require immediate medical treatment. These include:

-Chest tightness/wheezing/shortness of breath

-Nausea or vomiting

-Tingling in the lips, scalp, feet, or hands

-All-over itchiness or hives

-Swelling of the tongue or throat

If you experience any of these symptoms, and have an epinephrine auto-injector, use it immediately, then call 911. It is important to seek medical assistance even after you have administered the medicine, and even if you feel better, because symptoms may return.

Common allergens

While it is possible to be allergic to almost anything, there are some common categories and triggers. These include:

-Food allergies – peanuts, eggs, shellfish, milk, gluten

-Airborne allergens – Mold, dust mites, animal dander, pollen

-Skin – certain textiles, types of plants, latex

-Medicines – most commonly penicillin

-Insect bites or stings – bee stings, fire ant bites

-Allergy Treatments

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with allergies, the good news is there are several good treatments available. Although there is no cure for allergies, you can feel better with the right combination of treatments.

-Medications, such as antihistamines, either over-the-counter or from your doctor

-Nasal sprays and eye drops

-Allergy shots

-The use of air purifiers or dehumidifiers

-Mattress pads and pillow covers

-Try to “allergy-proof” your environment as much as possible

It goes without saying that it is always best to try to avoid the allergen whenever possible. In the real world, that’s often impossible. Therefore, if you are prone to severe allergic reactions, be sure to have your epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times, and inform those around you of your condition in case you are unable to speak up in an emergency.

The post Sneezing, Itchy Eyes, and a Runny Nose that Won’t Quit? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Sleep Apnea should be considered a serious medical condition because it an affect your overall health. If this condition is left untreated, it can result in high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and issues with your liver. At the very least, untreated sleep apnea will leave you feeling tired and unrefreshed, leading to irritability and depression. This fatigue could increase the likelihood of motor vehicle or workplace accidents.

Read the full infographic below to see if you or a loved one may be at risk of Sleep Apnea!

Help Us Fight Sleep Apnea

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