Antibiotics aren't a cure-all - especially when it comes to viruses.

With cold and flu season in full swing, many patients are coming into urgent care clinics and pointedly asking physicians to prescribe them antibiotics. While an antibiotic may seem the obvious course of treatment, that’s not always the case, Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care physicians say.

Antibiotics are strong medications used for treating bacteria-borne infections such as strep throat and some ear infections. However, antibiotics offer no help against diseases caused by viruses, including the common cold or flu, most coughs and bronchitis, sore throats not resulting from strep throat and some ear infections. Yet, a tendency to treat viral infections with antibiotics over the past decades has caused the spread of antibiotic resistance.

“Every time a person takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant germs may be left to grow and multiply,” explains Dr. Nathan Newman, Chief Medical Officer of Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care. “Repeated and improper uses of antibiotics are primary causes of the increase in drug-resistant bacteria.”

The Centers for Disease Control has called antibiotic resistance one of the world’s most pressing public health problems. Antibiotics often are over-prescribed by doctors, but patients can be to blame, too. Many admit to self-treating with antibiotics left over from earlier illnesses. The result is microbes that develop greater resistance to the benefits of specific drugs.

“Almost every type of bacteria has become stronger and less responsive to antibiotic treatment when it is really needed,” Dr. Newman says. “These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can quickly spread to family members, schoolmates, and co-workers - threatening the community with a new strain of infectious disease that is more difficult to cure and more expensive to treat.”

The key to preventing antibiotic-resistance infections is effective communication with your doctor about your symptoms and the best course of treatment. Other tips include:

• Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or the flu.
• Do not save some of your antibiotic for the next time you get sick. Discard any leftover medication once you have completed your prescribed course of treatment.
• Take an antibiotic exactly as the healthcare provider tells you. Do not skip doses. Complete the prescribed course of treatment even if you are feeling better. If treatment stops too soon, some bacteria may survive and re-infect.
• Do not take antibiotics prescribed for someone else. The antibiotic may not be appropriate for your illness. Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply.
• If your healthcare provider determines that you do not have a bacterial infection, ask about ways to help relieve your symptoms. Do not pressure your provider to prescribe an antibiotic.

If you’re feeling ill, Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care is open extended hours and weekends and you never need an appointment. Register online to save your spot in line before you leave your home or office.

Traveling abroad for the holidays? Visit Solantic Travel Medicine to make sure you're prepared and protected.

For thousands of Americans, going home for Christmas means traveling overseas. For others, a trip to a foreign land is a new experience and a fun way to celebrate the holidays or usher in the New Year.  If you plan to spend the season abroad, you’ll need to be prepared - and that means much more than bringing along a dual-voltage hair dryer.

With a few clicks of a mouse, Solantic Travel Medicine can help you prepare for any health or medical risk you may face in the country you’ll visit. An initiative of Florida’s Solantic Urgent Care centers, Solantic Travel Medicine allows visitors to quickly search specified countries and regions and immediately access information on required or recommended immunizations. You’ll learn ahead of time about current disease outbreaks, water conditions that could affect your health, even political or social goings-on that could make traveling to a particular region unsafe. And we’ll let you know about healthcare requirements or recommendations associated with particular holidays or events.

For instance, the Saudi Arabian government requires Meningococcal vaccination for participation in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca during Hajj, the world’s largest religious gathering. And Asia’s health officials recommend seasonal flu and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations, plus preventative medications for malaria if you’re visiting during the Lunar New Year celebration that begins in January. The best news: those medications and vaccinations can be ordered right from your computer.

Preparing for your trip is easy. Simply log onto the Solantic Travel Medicine website, choose your destination via the drop-down menu, read the information and choose the immunizations you need via the checkboxes and click the “Buy Now” button. You’ll see your chosen immunizations listed in the shopping cart, along with a one-time consultation fee. Choose your preferred appointment dates and check out. A Solantic representative will call to finalize your appointment date and time. Your consultation will include a physical exam and you and your doctor will discuss your upcoming travels, including travel health tips based upon your medical history and the areas you’ll visit. Keep in mind that some vaccinations must be ordered and delivery can take a week or more, so plan ahead.

Don’t leave what could be a dream vacation to a nightmarish chance. Visit the Solantic Travel Medicine website to prepare and protect yourself today.

Statistics show an alarming number of men are lax about routine health and medical care.

“What is it with men?” Women and physicians often ask this about partners and patients who avoid even the most routine medical appointments. Statistics show that men are alarmingly lax about participating in preventative health care.

“The single most important way a man can take care of himself and of those he loves is to actively take part in his healthcare, including educating himself on health and medical issues unique to men and participating with his doctor in healthcare decisions,” says Dr. Nathan Newman, Chief Medical Officer of Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care. But research shows men largely are dodging this advice. In fact, nationwide, men are:

• 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
• 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
• 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely as women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
• 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.

Besides the obvious healthy lifestyle choices, including eating right, exercising, avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol, getting enough sleep and managing stress, Dr. Newman highly recommends men get regular medical checkups and routine screenings and tests. The most important for men are:

• Body Mass Index to screen for obesity
• Cholesterol starting at age 35, or at age 20 for those with risk factors such as diabetes, history of heart disease, tobacco use, high blood pressure or a BMI of 30 or higher.
• Blood Pressure every two years to help stave off chances of heart disease, kidney disease or stroke.
• Cardiovascular Disease beginning at age 45.
• Colonoscopy to check for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 or earlier if you have a family history of the disease.
• PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) to check for prostate cancer beginning at age 50.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases to check for gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia or other SDTs
• HIV
• Depression if you’ve noticed a marked decrease in interest in the things you usually enjoy or if you’ve felt down or hopeless over the past few weeks. Remember that depression is a totally treatable disease that can cause or contribute to other medical and physical ailments if not addressed.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm if you’re between the ages of 65 and 75 and have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in your lifetime.
• Diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 to avoid related problems with your heart, eyes, feet, kidneys and nerves.

And men, you can’t claim a busy schedule as an excuse to avoid the doctor. Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care is open extended hours during the week and on weekends. You never need an appointment and you can pre-register online. We’ll call when the doctor is ready to see you. Check our website for the Florida location nearest you.

More than 3.5 million youth 14 and younger receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year.

The school sports season is in full swing. Whether your child is the football team quarterback or a star swimmer, he’s at risk for a sports injury. Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care centers throughout Florida are on standby to diagnose and treat your child’s injury and get him back on the field, the courts, the track, etc. quickly and safely.

According to sports statisticians with organizations like Safe Kids USA, the National Center for Sports Safety and the Yale Medical Group:

• More than 3.5 million youth 14 and younger receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year;
• Injuries sustained in sports and recreational activities account for 21 percent of all traumatic brain injury among U.S. children, and although rare, the leading cause of death from a sports-related injury is a brain injury;
• Children ages 5 to 14 account for nearly 40 percent of all sports-related injuries;
• 62 percent of sports related injuries occur during practices rather than during games - yet, a third of parents admit they rarely take the same safety precautions during their children’s practices that they do for a game.
• Nearly half of all sports injuries to middle and high school students are overuse injuries (occurring from repeated motion over time).

Many of these injuries can be avoided by taking the recommended safety precautions including adequately stretching before a game, wearing or using the right safety equipment, undergoing proper training and conditioning, and getting sufficient rest after an injury.

Traumatic or life threatening injuries or conditions such as strokes, heat strokes, heart attacks and head injuries involving a loss of consciousness should be treated at an emergency room.  However, if your child suffers a less serious injury such as a sprain or fracture, pulled or strained muscle, cut or severe bruise skip the long wait and costly medical bill you’ll surely get at an emergency room by going to your nearest Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care center. We’re open early morning, late evening and weekend hours with no appointment necessary. Quicker treatment can make the difference in whether your child will be safely back in the game for the next tournament.

If your child hasn’t yet begun a sport, make sure he’s prepared before trying out. Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care centers statewide offer affordable school and sports physicals. You never need an appointment and you can save time by registering online before heading out.

Centers Team Up With Local Charity to Support Jacksonville’s Youth

Solantic announced its plans to get down and dirty as the official on-site medical team
for Jax Mud Fest 2011 benefiting The Boselli Foundation.

The October 8th event, presented by Firehouse Subs, will feature a 5K Mud Run, a Kids
Mud Run and an Outdoor Festival all located at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center.

“We could not be more excited to be involved in such a worthwhile cause,” says Paul
Dickison, Director of Marketing. “Giving back to the local community is one of our new
management team’s top initiatives and Jax Mud Fest allows us the opportunity to
support the foundation’s children while keeping participants and families safe.”

Solantic joins a full house of supporters including Cox Radio, Ring Power, Coxwell, The
Brumos Companies, Total Military Management, iVenture and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

“The foundation is very happy to have Solantic and its medical staff on board,” said the
foundation’s founder Tony Boselli. “We trust the team to help us focus on our ultimate
goal; stay safe and have fun.”

One hundred percent of event proceeds will benefit The Boselli Foundation’s after
school programs striving to help children living in at-risk neighborhoods of Jacksonville.

“The event is designed for both the competitive and the casual fun seekers,” says the
foundation’s Development Director April Mitzel. “Mud Fest is an event for everyone! For
those who aren’t into getting dirty, seats are available in our spectator areas where
guests can watch friends and family slip, slide and slosh their way through the muddy
obstacles.”

For more information about the event and registration, visit www.jaxmudfest.com.

Those age 65 and older are at a particularly high risk for catching the flu. Head to your nearest Solantic Urgent Care Center today for your flu shot.

Urgent care centers in South Florida are reporting this year’s first cases of influenza - a month early. Typically, flu season begins in October or November, but it looks like the 2011/2012 season is getting a jump on us. To help keep you and your family healthy throughout the flu season, Solantic Urgent Care answers the most frequently asked questions about the flu:

What is the flu? Formally known as influenza, the flu is a highly contagious viral infection marked by severe respiratory or intestinal illness symptoms.

How do you get the flu? Unfortunately, the flu is one of the most catching viruses. When someone who has the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes an airborne contagion. Anyone who happens to be nearby is at risk of breathing in that contagion and becoming infected themselves. You also can catch the flu by touching a contaminated surface, (door knobs and handles and stairway railings are common culprits) then touching your mouth, nose or eye area.

What are the symptoms of the flu? Flu symptoms include the sudden onset of severe cough, runny nose, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and pain. Intestinal flu symptoms also include diarrhea or vomiting. Though the symptoms can be similar, the flu is much more severe than a common cold and can be deadly. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications and upwards of 23,600 people die from flu-related causes each year.

How do you treat the flu? Because the flu is a virus, there is no cure. However, several prescription antivirals have been proven to shorten the duration of the flu if taken within the first 12 to 48 hours of your earliest symptoms. Over-the-counter and homeopathic medicines can help manage symptoms like pain, fever and upset stomach. And you’ll need to drink lots of fluids (water and juice) while the virus runs its course. If symptoms persist more than a few days, head to your nearest Solantic Urgent Care center.

How do I avoid the flu? It’s all about prevention. The CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends flu shots for everyone over the age of six months, especially those at higher risk including young children, pregnant women, senior citizens 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. Caretakers of higher-risk individuals also should get a flu shot each year. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, cell phones, TV remote controls and computer keyboards with disinfectants. And avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as these are the main entryways that allow the flu virus into your body.

Make sure you’re ready for flu season with a flu shot at your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care Center. We have more than 30 Solantic urgent care clinic locations throughout Florida and you never need an appointment.

Dr. Nathan Newman, Chief Medical Officer for Solantic Urgent Care, has been elected by The Florida Medical Association to be a Delegate to the American Medical Association House of Delegates, the AMA’s principle policymaking body. The announcement was made at the Florida Medical Association’s annual meeting in Orlando.

Newman will be one of five Delegates representing Florida physicians. A Physician Delegate serves as an important communications, policy and membership link between the AMA and grassroots physicians. As a member of the Florida Medical Association’s Delegation to the AMA, Dr. Newman will be a voting representative at AMA reference committees and on the floor of the AMA House of Delegates, presenting and supporting resolutions of the FMA. “It’s quite an honor to represent Florida physicians at a critical time in our country’s healthcare debate,” said Dr. Newman.

Following the acquisition of Solantic Urgent Care by Welsh, Carson, Anderson, and Stowe, Dr. Newman is a member of the new leadership team for Solantic. Dr. Newman remains the Chief Medical Officer, supervising over 180 physicians in thirty-two centers across Florida. He was recently elected as National Vice-President of the Urgent Care Association of America and is a current Treasurer of the Duval County Medical Society Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physician Executives.

In an effort to support the recent decision to extend hours of operation in all markets, Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care plans to offer over 50 new jobs statewide. In a time of downsizing and poor economic reports, Solantic is bringing positive news to Florida’s jobseekers.

The chain of urgent care centers plans to offer positions for Physicians, Physician’s Assistants and Front Office Team Members in many of their thirty-plus centers throughout Florida.

“In an effort to fulfill our mission to make health care more convenient, the Solantic team will expand our services by offering extended hours to better serve the patient demand,” said Michael D. Klein. “By increasing our hours, we are also creating a need for more positions in most of the markets in which we operate.”

The plans follow June’s sale of the privately owned medical care centers to Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS). The New York- based firm joined CEO Michael Klein to form a new ownership and management team.

“We have continued to drive our campaign for new opportunities, new growth, new jobs and new leadership,” said Klein. “The Solantic team is determined to create value within the company and for its employees.”

Since its inception in 2002, Solantic has expanded from four Northeast Florida locations to more than 30 centers located throughout the state. The company focuses to provide high quality, affordable urgent care services that maximize consumer choice while recognizing the busy lifestyles of Floridians today.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care and the CDC debunk the three most common myths about immunization.

August is Immunization Awareness Month - perfect timing for kids and college students heading back to school. But urgent care centers and physicians everywhere hear lots of misconceptions about immunizations every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Solantic Baptist Urgent Care can help set the record straight three of the most common immunization myths.

MYTH: Immunizations are unnecessary because better hygiene and sanitation has caused many to disappear.
REALITY: Data documenting the number of cases of disease before and after the introduction of a vaccine show that vaccines overwhelmingly are responsible for the largest drops in disease rates. For example, the measles vaccine debuted in 1963 and by 1968, U.S. measles cases had dropped by 97 percent. Plus, while certain diseases like polio have been virtually wiped out in the U.S., they persist in other countries. Travelers can unknowingly bring these diseases into the U.S. and could spread quickly without the protection of vaccinations.

MYTH: Immunizations have potentially harmful side effects including illnesses and even death.
REALITY: Most adverse reactions to immunizations are minor and temporary and often can be controlled by taking over-the-counter acetaminophen before or after the vaccination. More serious reactions occur rarely - in about one per thousands to one per millions of doses. Says the CDC, “The fact is that a child is far more likely to be seriously injured by one of these diseases than by any vaccine. While any serious injury or death caused by vaccines is too many, it is also clear that the benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the slight risk, and that many, many more injuries and deaths would occur without vaccinations.”

MYTH: Giving a child multiple vaccinations for different diseases at once can overload the immune system and increase the risk of harmful side effects.
REALITY: Studies show that recommended vaccines are just as effective in combination as they are individually, and that these combinations carry no greater risk for adverse side effects. Says the CDC: “There are two practical factors in favor of giving a child several vaccinations during the same visit. First, we want to immunize children as early as possible to give them protection during the vulnerable early months of their lives. Second, giving several vaccinations at the same time will mean fewer office visits for vaccinations, which saves parents both time and money and may be less traumatic for the child.”

For more in the importance, benefits and risks of immunizations, visit your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care Center. Our urgent care clinics are located throughout Florida and offer a full battery of school, work and travel-related vaccinations.

Centers offer early exams for busy families as students return to the classroom.

As July comes to a close, school districts across the nation are preparing to re-open and Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care is gearing up for one of its busiest seasons, back-toschool immunizations and physicals. The urgent care centers recognized that offering early exams, they could help parents beat the crowds.

“Vaccination records are valid for up to 12 months, so there’s no reason to wait until the last minute,” said Dr. Nathan Newman, Chief Medical Officer. “We offer back-to-school vaccinations and sports physicals all summer long, so parents can get them when it’s most convenient.”

As part of their commitment to convenient care, Solantic has also implemented MySpot, a new online registration program with convenient mobile applications.

“We offer convenient walk-in care at all of our Solantic locations, but the MySpot online registration makes it even easier to see the doctor,” says Michael D. Klein, CEO and President. “Our enhanced online and mobile capabilities help families register early to decrease wait time and get in and out on their schedule.”

Parents can take advantage of Solantic’s new online feature, completing a form on the site to save their spot in line. Then a Solantic representative will call or text when it’s time to head to the center.

“We see hundreds of children and families every year at this time for school-related physicals and immunizations,” says Klein. “It is important to get children in early, and at Solantic we are striving to make this as convenient as possible.”

Students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade making their initial entry into a Florida school are required to present a record of physical examination completed within the past 12 months. A list of the required and recommended vaccines is available on the Florida Department of Health’s website, www.floridashealth.com. Vaccinepreventable diseases spread quickly in schools and children may be sent home if records show that he or she is behind on state or federally mandated vaccines, unless granted an exemption.

It is important to note that most tryouts for school sports teams happen prior to the start of the school year in the fall. Student athletes who have yet to complete their physicals and be cleared by a physician could end up sidelined until the next school year or season.