We offer quality medical care when it’s inconvenient for you to get to your primary care provider or if your illness doesn’t warrant a trip to the ER.

Our extended evening hours, including weekends at select locations, make feeling better, more convenient, and more affordable, helping you get back on your feet.

Affordable and Convenient Care

Many conditions, like cold and flu or aches and sprains, don’t require an expensive trip to the hospital. If your situation isn’t life- or limb-threatening, you can be seen at one of our 10 locations. Click here to see a list of examples of the conditions we treat.

How Would you Like to be Seen?

With the kids back in school and busy fall days head, we’re here to help ensure that sickness doesn’t stop you in your tracks. We also offer Telemedicine appointments, which you can schedule online by clicking here.

Regardless of how you choose to be seen, regular office visit or Telemedicine, one of our providers will give you the care you need to get on with your busy life.

The post Now Open Later During the Week! appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Seriously affordable health care – and then some

For $1 a day, you get unlimited access to urgent care services at any of our 11 locations in Marion, Citrus, Levy, and Alachua counties. That’s small potatoes when you think of the alternative: potentially large medical bills that can leave you financially strapped.

Say you have health insurance, but there’s a high deductible, then the QCARD can help in this type of situation. For basically $30 a month, plus a $10 copay that’s due at your visit, you can be seen by one of our providers.

Cover all your bases away from home

The QCARD is also an excellent option for many of our beloved snowbirds. Say your primary care physician is up north, and you’d like to have the assurance that there’s medical care close to your home down here, well, the QCARD just makes sense.

Brittany G, an administrative assistant in Crystal River, signed up for the QCARD, which she finds especially helpful for cold and flu season, “When my kids get sick, I get it. It’s hard for me to take time off work, so the faster I’m back on my feet, the better.”

Gain control over urgent care expenses

Medical bills can impact your life, leaving you short for other necessities. The QCARD is an excellent service that gives you control over your urgent care expenses for $30/month. That’s less than the cost of a cup of coffee at your local diner.

Make your health and peace of mind a priority. Want to find out more? Give our representative Sean Crump a call at (352) 513-9276 or sign up today.

The post Don’t Let Medical Bills Get the Best Of You appeared first on Quick Med Care.

“We have zero tests,” said Dr. Dacelin St Martin. “We do have a lot of high risk people … therefore a lot of people may not be getting the test due to the rigid criteria that we are currently using.”​

Dr. St Martin said his Quick Care Med clinics began turning away dozens of patients last week, that he believes need to be tested for the coronavirus.

“At least 100 but there are more patients that we think are qualified to be tested or that are seeking to be tested and not being tested,” he said. “We definitely need more tests and also equipment.”

For example, Dr. St Martin said one of his patients who recently gave birth to premature twins had someone stay in her home who’s from a coronavirus hot spot state.

“She called me over the weekend and said, ‘Doctor, I think I have the coronavirus.’ I said, ‘Why do you think so?'” Dr. St Martin asked. “‘I was exposed to someone who lives in Washington state and now I have chills and fever and sore throat and I don’t know what to do and I’d like to be tested.'”

St Martin said he told his patient to contact the Department of Health for a test but she was denied because the woman did not fall in the category to be tested.

“This is an example of what we are facing,” he said. “Reversely we tried to find a way to keep this person in isolation for now waiting for the opportunity to test her.”

St Martin said he hopes to have 10 coronavirus tests from a private lab available at all of his urgent health care clinics by the end of the week.

This past weekend, Citrus County saw its first official coronavirus case. The 60-year-old woman’s case is being classified as travel-related.

BY JOSH ROJAS CITRUS COUNTY
PUBLISHED 6:19 PM ET MAR. 16, 2020

The post CORONAVIRUS LIVE UPDATES: What to Know in the Bay Area appeared first on Quick Med Care.

What is a sunburn?

You might wonder: what exactly is a sunburn and how does it happen? It’s a valid question, considering you’ve probably suffered through a few sunburns in your lifetime.

Quite simply, sunburns are your skin’s defensive reaction to ultraviolet radiation: UV-A and UV-B rays to be specific. The third type of ray, UV-C, could be the most dangerous of all, but it’s completely blocked out by the ozone layer and doesn’t reach the earth’s surface.

Those of us with darker complexions have higher levels of melanin, which helps protect the skin by converting UV light to heat. When you’re fair skinned, your body doesn’t produce the melanin necessary to protect you from the sun’s death rays, causing your cells to die. In turn, your body reacts by sending blood to the affected areas, which accounts for your newfangled lobster glow.

Don’t let cool cloudy weather fool you. You can’t feel UV rays – the heat from the sun comes from infrared rays, which can’t burn you. This is why you can still burn on days that are overcast.

How to treat a sunburn

• Act fast to cool down by dipping in a pool or the ocean but make it brief as to not extend your time in the sun

• Moisturize while your skin still damp, but make sure your lotion is not oil- or petroleum-based as it can trap in the heat and exacerbate the burn

• Decrease the inflammation by taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

• Replenish your fluids by drinking extra liquids, including water and sports drinks that help to replenish electrolytes, immediately and while your skin heals

• See your doctor if you have severe blistering over a large portion of your body, or if you’re experiencing chills or feel woozy

How do you avoid sunburns?

To avoid damage from the sun, slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen of 30 spf or higher and reapply it every hour. Try wearing protective clothing, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses. Also, keep an eye on the UV index: the higher the number, the stronger the UV, and the less time you should be out in the sun. The sun’s rays are typically strongest between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
What are the long-term effects?

We all know that exposure to too much UV radiation can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Too much UV radiation can damage the genetic material (the DNA) in your skin cells. If enough DNA damage builds up over time, it can cause cells to start growing out of control, which can lead to skin cancer. One study reveals that getting sunburn, just once every 2 years, can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer.

And for the record, there is no such thing as a healthy tan. It’s in your best interest to embrace an outdoor skincare regimen that will keep your skin healthy all year round.

Sources and Citations
Cancer Research UK. How the Sun and UV Cause Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/how-the-sun-and-uv-cause-cancer
How to Prevent a Sunburn. Retrieved from https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-a-Sunburn
Skin Cancer Foundation (May 27, 2016). 5 Ways to Treat a Sunburn. Retrieved from https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn/five-ways-to-treat-a-sunburn
Zainab Mudallal (June 4, 2015). There’s a Real Reason Some People Get Sunburns and Others Don’t. Retrieved from https://www.elitedaily.com/life/actually-happens-body-get-sunburn/1054488

The post Sunburn appeared first on Quick Med Care.

It happens to all of us at some point – there’s a little slip, and you’re bleeding. It can be difficult to know whether you need stitches, or whether the cut can heal on its own.

Most wounds should be closed within 6 to 8 hours after they occur. Clean any wound as soon as it occurs to cut down on the risk of infection, and try to stop the bleeding by applying constant pressure, and elevating it. If you plan to seek medical attention for the wound, do not use antiseptic cleaners until after the provider has had a chance to examine the wound.
Many people think they must go to the emergency room if they believe stitches are necessary. That is not the case. A Quick Care Med provider can get you fixed up quicker, (in most cases), and at a much lower cost than in the ER.

Guidelines for Seeking Medical Treatment for a Cut or Wound

If any of the following conditions are present, it is best to have a Quick Care Med provider, or other medical professional, assess your injury and determine the next steps:
• A wound is more than .25 inches deep, or .75 inches long
• You continue to bleed heavily even after you have tried to stop the bleeding
• The wound is gaping open or has jagged edges
• You have received a deep bite (from an animal or human)
• Wounds that appear to go down to the lower layers of skin, fat, muscle, or bone
• Any significant cut or scrape on the face (for cosmetic reasons)
• Wounds that were caused by something rusty, dirty, or potentially contaminated

(Source: WebMD)

Wounds that May Not Require Medical Treatment

It is always best to use your judgment when determining whether or not to seek medical treatment. However, it is less likely that you will need stitches if any of the following conditions exist:
• Your wound is less than .25 inches deep or .75 inches long
• The cut is from a clean object, like a kitchen knife
• The edges of the wound stay together while you move normally
• You have stopped the bleeding on a smaller cut or scrape
• The wound is from a puncture – these wounds are usually deeper and harder to clean, so stitches could actually seal bacteria into the wound and create a higher risk of infection
If you choose to treat the wound at home, the most important thing is to make sure the wound is cleaned properly. Use clean water ONLY to clean the wound. Soap, peroxide or alcohol is not necessary and can cause irritation. If foreign objects, such as gravel or glass, are present in the wound, clean tweezers with alcohol to sterilize, and use them to pick out the pieces.
• Once the wound is clean, and bleeding has stopped, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment – to fight off infection and keep the wound moist
• Cover the area with a clean bandage or gauze. Change daily or when wet or dirty
• Once the wound has developed a scab, leave the scab in place and uncover the wound. Exposure to air will help the wound heal faster

Signs of Infection

Whether or not you received stitches, the possibility exists that a wound could become infected. If any of the following occur, seek medical assistance right away:
• Green or yellow pus or discharge is coming from the wound
• Warmth on or around the wound
• Redness spreading out from the wound
If there is any doubt about whether you should seek medical attention, it is always preferable to be safe and have your wound checked.

The post You’ve Got a Cut or Scrape – Now What? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

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.

Ear infections occur when the middle ear becomes inflamed and fluid is trapped behind the ear drum. An ear infection often occurs alongside a cold, the flu, or some other type of respiratory illness, but it is possible to get an ear infection without any of these other issues present.

The ear is connected to the upper respiratory system by a pathway known as the Eustachian Tube. Because of this connection, when harmful germs grow in the nose or sinus cavity, they can travel up that tube to the middle ear. It is also common for the Eustachian Tube to become swollen or blocked, which will trap fluid in the ear where it will become stagnant and grow bacteria.

Symptoms of an Ear Infection in Infants and Children

Infants and young children cannot tell us they are having ear troubles, so watch for these symptoms:
• Irritability, and overall restlessness
• Excessive crying, especially when lying down
• Tugging or pulling the ear
• Fever
• Ear drainage
• Lack of appetite

Symptoms of an Ear Infection in Adults:

While less common, adults can also get ear infections. Watch for these signs:
• A sharp, stabbing pain, or a constant, dull pain, in the ear
• Hearing like you are under water
• Feeling like the ear is full
• Nausea
• Drainage from the ear

When to Seek Medical Advice

It is always better to seek professional medical advice when suffering from an ear infection. However, some ear infections will go away without treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms, Quick Med Care is here to help:
• Any potential ear infection in an infant or child should be evaluated. More serious infections, or even hearing loss, can occur when ear infections are not treated
• If body temperature rises above 100.4
• Hearing seems to be affected
• Your child develops a stiff neck or becomes lethargic

Treatment Options

Only a qualified medical professional can determine whether or not there is an ear infection, and what has caused it.
Some ear infections are caused by a virus, and will just require waiting the virus out.
Those ear infections thought to be caused by bacteria will be treated with antibiotics.

Ways to Relieve Symptoms at Home

Ear infections can be very painful. To feel better quicker, try these tips:
• Lie on a heating pad, set on the lowest setting, or apply a warm compress
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Follow dosing directions carefully for children
• Gargling with salt water can help clear the Eustachian Tubes
• Keep the air around you clean. Smokers with ear infections should refrain from smoking as much as possible, and children with ear infections should be kept away from second-hand smoke

As always, visit your nearest Quick Care Med location – we’re there when you need us!

The post It’s the Weekend, and Your Child is Crying Non-Stop with Ear Pain? 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.

Strep Throat Symptoms

• Pain in your throat that is significant and came on quickly
• A fever, especially with a temperature 101 degrees or higher
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swollen tonsils, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• A throat that appears inflamed and has white or yellow spots
Less-common symptoms may include:
• Body aches, stomach aches, or chills
• Nausea and vomiting (present mostly in children)
• Rash
• Loss of appetite

If you have a sore throat accompanied by cold or flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose or nasal congestion, coughing, or sneezing, you most likely do not have strep throat. However, if pain in the throat lasts a few days, it’s still best to have it checked out.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection, but it is still contagious. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breaths, tiny droplets of the bacteria are released into the air. These droplets can be breathed in by another, or can settle on surfaces that, when touched, can transfer the bacteria onto the hands.
Strep throat is most common in the late fall and early spring when children are spending the greatest amount of time inside.

Treatment for Strep Throat

A Quick Care Med provider can determine whether or not you have strep throat in about 10 minutes using a simple, in-office test.

If strep throat is confirmed, you will be given antibiotics to help you start to feel better, and to stop the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.

You can try these remedies at home while waiting for the antibiotics to work:
• Take over-the-counter Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen to control the fever
• Drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest (it is best to stay home as you will still be contagious for the first 24 hours after starting antibiotics
• Use a humidifier to keep air moist
• Gargle with warm salt water, as needed
• Use over-the-counter throat spray or drops
• Eat soft foods that don’t further irritate the throat

The post Painful Throat or Trouble Swallowing? appeared first on Quick Med Care.

Here are 9 health reasons why the summer is just what the doctor ordered:

1) Reduced mortality risk of heart attack

Research indicates that you are less likely to die of a heart attack in the summer than in the winter. In a UK study of 11,000 people who had heart attacks, the survival rate increased by 19% if the attack occurred during the summer.

Good news for those with high cholesterol! UV light converts cholesterol to Vitamin D, therefore, getting out in the sun is a good way to decrease cholesterol levels which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

2) People eat more fruit

Rising temperatures increase the availability of summer fruits and make it easier to hit the recommended quota of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. We are more likely to reach for those strawberries which are high in Vitamin C and whose antioxidant activity aids in the prevention chronic diseases such as cancer. High temperatures make us less likely to want to eat high in fat comfort foods we use in the winter to make it through the cold season.

3) Relieve skin complaints

Although direct sun exposure for longer than 15 minutes without sunscreen remains a key factor in causing skin cancer, the sun can actually have therapeutic effects in other areas! Walking around in daylight, under controlled UV exposure, can decrease skin sensitivity in complaints such as acne, psoriasis and dermatitis.

4) Increased agility

The warm weather good news for those suffering from arthritis. Most people feel less pain during the summer months. In addition, summer is an excellent time to begin an exercise regime. The feel-good factor created by sunlight boosts energy and increases agility.

5) Consuming more water

In the summer, due to the high heat factor, we are more likely to drink the recommended half a gallon of water for optimum health. Water promotes digestions, regulates body temperature, and improves the health of our skin as well as flush toxins out of the body. The more fluid the body loses, the more we need to drink the regular sips of water throughout the day. Remember to limit liquids such as tea, coffee, and sodas to 3 a day!

6) Reduced DVT Risk

Doctors say that warm weather helps blood vessels enlarge, allowing blood to circulate better. The warmer days of summer are good news for those at risk of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism!

7) Prevention of hip fractures

A healthy dose of sunshine could prevent older women from fracturing their hips, according to researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. They found that half of postmenopausal women admitted to the hospital with hip fractures had low levels of Vitamin D, which is boosted by sunlight. Ladies, get out there and get your healthy dose of UV rays!

8) Helps preventing regular sleep disorders

Sleep experts recommend exposure to sunlight between 7AM and 9AM each morning to help those who have problems getting to sleep at night. Early morning exposure can help those suffering from sleep disorders such as insomnia. This is because sunlight helps the body reset it’s internal biological clock.

9) Helps migraine sufferers

We are not talking about when the weather turns muggy, because migraine symptoms can return during instances of summer showers. However, Canadian doctors running trials testing the link between weather and migraines have concluded clear, sunny and dry weather reduces attacks of migraines.

From the Quick Care Med team, we hope you enjoy your summer!

The post 9 Reasons Why Summer is Good for You appeared first on Quick Med Care.