26
November

Strep Throat: What To Do If You Have a Sore Throat of the Nasty Kind

Strep Throat: What To Do If You Have a Sore Throat of the Nasty Kind

Strep Throat: What To Do If You Have a Sore Throat of the Nasty Kind

We can’t do a comprehensive round up of common ‘winter illnesses’ without dedicating one post to strep throat. So here you will be able to read about symptoms and treatment for this contagious condition and find out if you should see a doctor for your ‘sore throat’.

Now we all suffer from sore throats every now and then and, because they are caused by viral infections, they disappear on their own after a few days and you don’t really need to seek medical attention. However, a sore throat can also be a symptom of something harder to get rid of: a strep throat. Strep throats are particularly common in children and teenagers. Read on to find out if you or your kids could be suffering from the infection- and if you should schedule a visit to the clinic.

SYMPTOMS

Classic sore throat symptoms- runny nose, cough, hoarseness, and bloodshot eyes- are present in strep throat cases as well. But if your sore throat is actually an indication of strep throat, you will probably start developing the following symptoms after a couple of days:

• Fever
• Stomach Pain
• Red/swollen tonsils
• Appetite loss
• Feeling of general discomfort/nausea
• Headache
• Swollen neck glands
• Red/white patches in throat

HOW DOES STREP THROAT SPREAD

Strep throats are caused by a group of bacteria called ‘A streptococcus’ and the disease can spread from one person to another through simple things like sneezing, coughing and shaking hands. With kids, the best defense against the strep throat infection- and a whole bunch of other diseases that are common in that age group- is to ensure that they take care of their hygiene. That’s why it’s so important to teach your children about the importance of washing hands (before eating, after defecation etc) and keeping clean.

TREATMENT

Visit your local MedHelp clinic to get you kids or yourself checked by a doctor. A ‘rapid strep test’ is usually performed for diagnosis. The test involves using a cotton swab to take fluid samples from the back of the throat. The test only takes a few minutes and, depending on the result, you’ll know if you have ‘strep throat’ during the same visit. Generally, you will get a prescription for 10-days worth of antibiotics for the infection (though sometimes an antibiotic shot may be administered to eliminate the need for oral medication).

Within a couple of days of taking your meds, the strep throat symptoms will start disappearing but you should still complete the course to make sure the infection is gone for good. Your MedHelp doctor will also advise you on the proper medical care (which usually also includes lots of rest and plenty of fluids).

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21
November

Sinus Signs: Symptoms and Treatment

The common cold- and how to get rid of it

Sinus Signs: Symptoms and Treatment

Okay, so we’ve already discussed colds and the flu in the last two blog posts. But now it’s time to turn our attention to another related infection type: sinus infections (termed medically as sinusitis).

SINUS INFECTION: SYMPTOMS

Let’s say you have a runny nose and you keep sneezing and coughing. You could put it down to a common cold and you just might be right. However, if your condition seems to last longer than the general term of colds (that is, 10 – 14 days), you might actually be suffering from a sinus infection. Some other sinusitis symptoms are high fever, puffy eyes and bad breath. Before we get into treatment for the infection, let’s get a little background knowledge on the subject.

WHAT ARE SINUSES?

A sinus is not an infection in itself though people colloquially refer to the associated infection- sinusitis- as ‘sinus’ too. Actually, sinuses are the natural multiple ‘air pockets’ found in head and face bones. While that may sound a tiny bit alarming, it just means they are empty ‘airy’ spaces. We all have a total of eight sinuses (which start developing even before we’re born!) and their purpose mostly seems to be keeping the weight of our skull lower than it would be if it were all bone, and adding tone/depth to our voice. Much like the nose, these sinuses are lined with a thin ‘mucous membrane’ tissue which helps trap dust and germs in the form of mucus/snot. The tiny hair on the membrane’s surface, called cilia, then help clear the mucus by transferring it to our swallowing tract through a narrow nasal opening.

If you have a cold or allergy, the sinuses get irritated and consequently start producing excess amounts of mucus. The cold virus can also damage the ‘cilia’ which stops the tiny hair from clearing away the mucus. This excess mucus production or un-cleared built-up can also block the nasal opening that previously drained the mucus. When mucus starts clogging the sinuses, it becomes a good launching pad for bacteria, fungi and viruses to grow. This sinusitis can be either acute or chronic based on how severe and/or persisting it is.

TREATMENT

A doctor can diagnose sinusitis by careful examination of the ear, nose and throat, and by tapping the sinuses externally. If you have a cold that seems to be persisting longer than expected and you want to get checked for sinusitis, just walk into your closest MedHelp clinic any day and our staff will be happy to help you through the entire process. For a bacterial infection, your doctor might prescribe you an antibiotic which helps in killing bacteria. Antibiotics will not be effective against viral infections though. The doctor might suggest a CT scan to see exactly what’s going on and how to treat it in the best possible way. During your visit to the MedHelp clinic in Atlanta, you can also ask your doctor to prescribe you a decongestant or nasal spray that can help you feel better while you recover.

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13
November

What Is the Common Cold – Really – And How To Get Rid of It

The common cold- and how to get rid of it

The common cold- and how to get rid of it

Did you know that the #1 reason kids have to stay home from school is because they have the cold? (And you thought it was just playing hooky!) The common cold is also the top reason for children to require a doctor visit. However, kids are not the only group that’s an easy victim for colds: aged people and patients suffering from other diseases are also at a high risk. And, of course, no matter how good our health is on the whole, we are all prone to feel ‘under the weather’ every now and then.

Much like the flu, colds are viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. That basically means both the ailments affect the ear, nose and throat. There are about 200 different types of cold viruses with the most common one being rhinovirus. This huge number of cold viruses doesn’t allow for one consummate anti-cold vaccine or shot. Fortunately for us, our body has its own very effective way of combating the viruses that cause cold: our natural immune system.

Now while there is no ‘miracle cure’ for cold viruses, time eventually gets the best of them: Colds usually run their course for a week or two and then you’re as good as new again.  However, while you’re suffering from one, you can have some very unpleasant symptoms ranging from headaches and runny nose to watery eyes and congestion. Because colds share a lot of symptoms with the flu and certain other diseases, you can’t be sure that the reason behind your sickness is the common cold unless your doctor absolutely rules out other conditions. So if you feel very ill or your sickness seems to be prolonging, do pay a visit to your local clinic or get someone to take you there. The medics at MedHelp will have you properly diagnosed and recovering in no time!

If you think you’re suffering from a cold and a visit to a doctor doesn’t seem necessary, you can always wait out the cold at your home.  To get rid of the distressing symptoms and get about your everyday work as usual, you can use over-the-counter medicine like cough syrups and antihistamines to effectively treat the symptoms. However, you should still get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids so that you can get rid of your cold as quickly as possible- and not just its symptoms.
 

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10
November

What to do if you have the flu

What to do if you have the flu

What to do if you have the flu

Winter is here and there are no two ways about it:  the coats and gloves are back out, and the holiday spirit is just around the corner waiting for Christmas. Unfortunately for us, Santa is not the only thing that travels from the North Pole at this time of the year. The radically dropping temperatures and ice cold winds are bringing on a bout of influenza like they do every year.  Here are some useful instructions on how to protect yourself from the flu and, if you already have it, how to fight it!

IDENTIFYING FLU SYMPTOMS

Listed below are some common symptoms related to influenza:

  • Fever (usually quite high)
  • Feeling of exhaustion
  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle pain
  • Runny nose

If any of the above applies to you, you might already have the flu.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

This classic adage never goes out of style when it comes to human health. Even if you’re not yet suffering from the flu, you should take the necessary measures to protect yourself from it. The most effective way of doing that is taking the yearly seasonal vaccine recommended by the CDC. The great thing about the vaccine is that you can get it easily any day you visit MedHelp Urgent Care where you’re sure to find the best urgent medical care in all of Alpharetta and Atlanta. Here are a few more reasons why you should get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible:

  • The seasonal vaccine protects you from the three most common viruses that could possibly plague you this Winter
  • Children, pregnant women, people aged over 65 and those that suffer from chronic heart diseases have an especially high risk for complications stemming from the flu. So if you fall in any of these categories, it’s immensely important that you get the vaccine to protect yourself from any serious health-threatening conditions.
  • If you’re a health worker or work in close proximity with those at a high risk for the flu, you should get vaccinated to decrease your chances of contracting the flu from those around you.

The seasonal vaccine doesn’t protect you from the H1N1 (swine flu) but don’t worry. Vaccines for protection against H1N1 are also available at MedHelp.

USING FLU ANTIVIRAL DRUGS

Antiviral drugs are also effective against the flu but, unlike antibiotics and other over-the-counter drugs, you’ll need a prescription for them. Drop by MedHelp to see a doctor who will diagnose you accurately and prescribe any drugs that you might need to take. If you don’t feel well enough to go by yourself, have someone take you to our walk-in-clinic. Our highly trained, professional and compassionate staff will make sure you’re comfortable and get the best treatment for your flu

SOME USEFUL EVERYDAY TIPS  

In addition to the seasonal vaccine and antiviral drugs, there are certain everyday precautions you should take throughout the winter to not only protect yourself but others around you:

  • Use a tissue to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing- and dispose it properly!
  • Take care of your hygiene
  • Try not to touch your nose, mouth and eyes too much and avoid close contact with other people if they’re sick or you are
  • Get plenty of rest and try not to go outside for at least a day after your fever goes down

Here’s to a flu free winter!

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