September 2019 - On Call Medical Clinic

Flu Season – Should I get a Shot

flu shot

Flu Season – Many people question whether they should get a flu shot or not. Many will have an excuse why they shouldn’t have the flu shot.

Well let’s clear up those excuses

I don’t want the shot because it will give me the Flu

This is not true. The flu shot or nasal spray cannot give you the flu. It takes a couple of weeks for the body to be protected from influenzas after receiving the vaccination. So, there is a possibility that you could contract the flu in that timeframe.

It doesn’t really make a difference if I get the flu shot or not.

Again, this is not true. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that vaccinations prevented 79,000 flu hospitalizations and 6.6 million flu-associated illnesses during the influenza season. Complications from the flu can be serious and result in hospitalization, and even death, for some patients. The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated.

I am not a candidate for the flu vaccine

With rare exceptions, everyone 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine. Pregnant women, those younger than 5 or older than 65 and people with certain chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for flu-related complications.

I don’t need the flu shot because I never get sick

Even if you don’t get sick — or only experience mild illness when you are sick — others might not be as lucky. Infants, the elderly and people with multiple medical conditions or weakened immune systems may not be able to fight off Influenza as well as you do.

Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but also helps protect others who may not be able to fight off illness as well as you.

I heard the vaccine has side effects

Side effects of flu vaccination are generally mild. If you get the flu shot, you might feel achy or have redness or soreness where the shot was given. If you get the nasal spray vaccine, you could get a stuffy nose or throat irritation.

Talk with your doctor to find out which type of vaccine is right for you and make sure to let him or her know if you get any of these symptoms. Often, we can recommend supportive measures to help you through these.

But most potential side effects of the vaccine are nothing, compared to how bad you’d feel if you had to suffer through the actual flu.

We at On Call Medical Clinic hope that this information helped clear up your concerns about having a flu shot this season. If you are not feeling well or had a minor injury and your primary care doctor is not available please remember we are here 7 days a week to help. We have laboratory and x-ray capability at our office, so we can quickly diagnosis your medical issue. Please visit our website at https://www.oncallclinic.com/ to learn more about all the medical services we offer. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us at 228 818-5155 7 days a week.

Hurricane Season -Midst of Worst Months

hurricane season

Hurricane Season is not over? In fact, August through October lately have been the worst months for hurricanes. This means that now is a good time to start preparing for this last stretch of months with potential hazardous storm systems coming your way. What precautions should you take for Hurricane Season?

Stock up on emergency supplies for Hurricane Season

Do not wait for the hurricane warning to be blaring across your television before you rush to the store for emergency supplies. Often useful items like generators, bottled water, and batteries fly off the shelf before a big storm. Beat the rush and have these products at home already so you can focus on fortifying your house instead of running to the crowded store. Good things to have on hand are flash lights, batteries, camp lights, water, and nonperishable food. A first aid kit is a must. A battery-powered radio would be another smart purchase since when power is lost, emergency information is broadcasted over the radio.

Fill up the pantry with non-perishables for Hurricane Season

It is important to make sure you can still eat without needing to use an oven. A portable butane burner or a grill could be used to boil water. Dried fruit and vegetables are also good buys to make sure you are having an appropriate nutrition intake. Canned food is also a cost-effective way to stay full when you can’t cook. Emergency food has made great advances in the recent years. Check out these freeze-dried entrees: just add hot water, and in just a few minutes they become tasty home cooked meals. Most of these freeze-dried foods can last up to 25 years!

Prepare your house for Hurricane Season

Head to the store and grab enough plywood and nails for all your windows if your home doesn’t have storm shutters. When the strong hurricane winds come, they will help protect your home from some costly damage. Also, fill your bathtubs with water in the event of water being cut off.

Know the Hurricane Season plan.

Become familiar with all evacuation routes if you are seaside. Also, evaluate your flood risk using this FEMA portal. If your area is calling for an evacuation, be smart. Do not risk staying in town hoping to ride out a storm if the local authorities are announcing a state of emergency. It is better to go through the inconvenience in traffic than to be trapped at home amid flood waters.

If you have any minor illnesses or accidents that you need immediate care for whether before or after the storm, please remember we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please call us at 228 818-5115, one of our medical experts is ready to take your call. You may visit our website at https://www.oncallclinic.com/ to review all the services we offer. covered today.

Summer Heat Related Illnesses

summer heat

Summer Heat -We all love to get out and work in the yard, start a building project outdoors, or just relax in the sun during the summer months. We however forget to always prepare ourselves for the sun’s rays and heat. Hyperthermia, (heat-related illness) is common when we overdue it. We at On Call Medical Clinic want to make you aware of what the illnesses can be from becoming overheated as well as the symptoms to be on the lookout for.

Hyperthermia is overheating of the body. This occurs as a result of heat exposure. Here are heat-related illnesses.

Heat Stroke
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Cramp
Heat Syncope (fainting)
Heat Rash

Heat Stroke is the most severe of all heat-related illnesses and this requires immediate medical attention.

The elderly, infants and young children, the obese, outdoor workers, and those with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk.

Signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses vary based on the condition, but they include the following

An elevated body temperature
Headaches
Nausea
Weakness
Dizziness
Fainting
Muscle Cramps
Seizures
Confusion
Coma

Treatment includes moving the individual out of a hot environment. Implementing cooling measures, rest, and rehydration.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 7,415 deaths due to heat-related illnesses in the USA from 1999 to 2010, which is an average of 618 deaths per year. So, become overheated is not something to take lightly.

The key to preventing heat-related illnesses is proper planning and preparation. Taking in increased amounts of fluids, wearing appropriate clothing and sunscreens are always helpful.

If you have any of the above heat-related symptoms, we at On Call Medical Clinic are here 7 days a week to help. Please call us at 228 818-5155, one of our medical staff is ready to answer your call and set up an appointment. You are also welcome to visit our website at www.oncallclinic.com to review all the medical services we offer.