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.

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.

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.

Co-Founder Karen Bowling named Senior Strategic Advisor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Solantic announced today that Karen E. Bowling, Solantic Co-Founder and CEO, would be named Senior Strategic Advisor to the company effective immediately. Michael D. Klein will become the new President and CEO effective immediately.

“I am exceedingly proud of Solantic, our team of dedicated employees, and the role Solantic serves in the many communities where we are located. I believe in the company’s mission and am honored to have been a part of changing the way urgent care services are delivered,” said Karen Bowling.

Since opening its first four centers in 2002 in North Florida, Solantic has expanded to more than 30 centers located throughout the state with the goal of providing high quality, affordable urgent care services in a way that maximizes consumer choice and honors the busy lifestyles of Floridians today.

“I am excited to be stepping into the leadership role at a vibrant company like this one. Throughout my career, I have welcomed new challenges and look forward to my work in Florida at Solantic. I appreciate Karen’s many contributions and I look forward to working closely with her through this transition,” said Klein, Solantic’s new President and CEO.

Klein is an accomplished management executive with achievements in sales, operations and organizational development. He has proven capabilities in both public and privately held companies with particular expertise in the healthcare industry. Klein is a strategic planner, problem solver, leader and team builder with a track record of significant contributions to corporate growth and profitability. Most recently, Klein was President and CEO of Renal Advantage, Inc., a 154-center dialysis company operating in 19 states with over 12,000 patients, a specialized renal laboratory and over 500M in annual revenue.

Don't wait - July is a great time to get your kids' school and sports physicals and immunizations at your neareast Solantic Baptist Urgent Care center.

Most school districts nationwide send kids back to the classroom sometime mid- to late August. That makes early August a mad-house of a time period for many urgent care and pediatrics clinics. Busy parents wait until the last minute to get their kids required school and sports physicals and immunizations. Skip the maddening crowds and get your children ready for school early.

July is a great time to make sure your young students are up on their required and recommended immunizations before heading back to the classroom. A list of the required and recommended vaccines at appropriate age levels is available on the Florida Dept. of Health’s website. Vaccine-preventable diseases spread quickly in schools and your child could be sent home if records show that he or she is behind on state or federally mandated vaccines unless you’ve been granted exemption.

July also is prime time for school and sports physicals for the young athlete. Tryouts for school sports teams often happen before school reconvenes in the fall and those who haven’t yet had their physicals and been cleared by a physician could end up sidelined until the next school year or season.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care Centers located throughout Florida offer comprehensive school and sports physicals as well as the complete battery of required and recommended immunizations. You never have to set an appointment, but if you choose to, we make it easier than ever. Register online and a Solantic representative will call or text you when it’s time to head to the center. Take a break, run some errands or finish up your shopping for school clothes and supplies while you wait.

Solantic Chief Medical Officer Nathan P. Newman, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., has been elected vice president of the Urgent Care Association of America’s (UCAOA) Board of Directors.

A member of the UCAOA board since May 2009, Dr. Newman was elected for the leadership position by the organization’s membership during the UCAOA’s recent national urgent care convention in Chicago, IL.

“I’m thrilled and delighted to represent Solantic in this prestigious organization and to contribute to the UCAOA’s efforts to advance awareness and understanding of urgent care’s place in community health systems,” said Dr. Newman. “With urgent care now a mainstream medical alternative that is growing daily, it is important to support the UCAOA’s efforts to advance the industry’s cause.”

UCAOA was founded in 2004 to fill a need in the professional field for an association that encourages and facilitates the development and success of urgent care centers, offering resources for clinical, administrative and legislative support to further integration of urgent care in healthcare systems worldwide. The advocacy group has more than 3,000 members and serves an international field, joining together more than 8,500 urgent care centers in the U.S. and abroad.

Winter is a busy season for urgent care clinics and doctors’ offices everywhere. Cold temperatures keep many inside for a few extra hours. All that close-quarters togetherness means viruses are handed off at greater rates than in the summertime, when people are enjoying the great outdoors. And cold-weather indulgences like wood-burning fireplaces can trigger respiratory problems.

To help keep you and your family healthy throughout the winter, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care offers preventative tips to guard against the most common cold season illnesses:

Make sure you have a healthy winter season with a visit to your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care clinic.

Common Cold: Statistics show there’s a 99% chance your child will catch a cold each winter season. In fact, young kids typically get three to 10 colds each year and as you know - there is no cure outside of letting it run its course. To help dodge a cold or quicken your recovery from one keep your natural resistance through good nutrition, exercise and plenty of restorative sleep. Dry air dries out and cracks mucous membranes in your nose and throat, creating entry points for cold viruses, so turn your thermostat down a few notches and keep the humidity up in your home or office. Avoid direct contact with others who already have colds and wash up to your hands frequently.

Influenza: The flu is another tough one to dodge, especially for kids and the elderly. Up to 40 percent of all children will get hit with the flu each year. For higher risk patients including elders and people with chronic health problems, the flu can lead to more serious complications such as pneumonia. In fact, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. (including 20,000 children) are hospitalized with flu-related complications annually and flu-related deaths number in the thousands each year. Solantic Baptist Urgent Care urges you to get your flu vaccinations early, before flu season hits hard. We know - nobody likes a shot! The good news: Only one flu vaccine is needed for the 2010-2011 influenza season. Last season, different vaccines were needed to help prevent both seasonal influenza and the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. This year’s seasonal flu vaccine protects against three strains of the flu including H1N1.

Stomach Flu: Also called “Viral Gastroenteritis,” this stomach bug typically hits a full 90 percent of kids at least once by age four. But thanks to the relatively new RotaTeq oral vaccine (save for babies two months and older) 79 percent fewer children fall ill with the stomach flu each year since the FDA’s 2007 approval.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): RSV causes common cold symptoms and triggers bronchiolitis (an infection of the small airways) in 40 percent of cases. This adds wheezing, rapid breathing and a persistent cough to RSV’s common cold-like symptoms. It’s contagious during the four- to six-day incubation period, plus three to eight days afterward and may require inhaled medication or hospitalization. Air irritants worsen RSV symptoms, so avoid exposure to wood-burning fireplaces, cigarette smoke and strongly scented lotions and perfumes.

Roseola: Unfortunately, there is no preventative vaccine for this rash-causing illness that comes with a fever, cough and often, diarrhea. Avoid exposure to those who may be infected and insist on good hygiene practices.

To ensure you and your family are ready for the winter season, stop by your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care clinic for all your seasonal vaccinations. If an illness hits, Solantic is open evenings and weekends and you never need an appointment.

It’s that time of year again! Summer’s end means back to school, back to the playing field and back to Solantic Baptist Urgent Care for school and sports physicals. Whether your littlest is packing his SpongeBob backpack for his first day in kindergarten or your high schooler is psyched about wearing her varsity jacket and taking the volleyball team all the way to nationals this year, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care is ready for you with convenient and affordable school and sports physicals.

Make sure your student athlete is ready to take on the competition with school and sports physicals at your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care center.

Each of our urgent care clinics throughout Florida offers school physicals and sports physicals each for $35 or a combined school/sports physical for $50. These exams are designed to review a patient’s existing conditions and identify any new health issues that could require modified participation in certain school or sports activities. Our board certified physicians and highly experienced medical staff will review your young student/athlete’s full medical history and lifestyle, noting height, weight, blood pressure pulse and temperature. We’ll examine the skin, head, neck, eyes, ears, nose, throat, thyroid, chest, heart, lungs, abdomen, liver, spleen, lymphatic system, extremities, pulses, reflexes, spine, neurological system, veins, muscles and joints. And we’ll perform tests for vision, urinalysis and audiogram (hearing). We also offer back-to-school immunizations, so you can get all your school and sports-related medical needs handled in one convenient and affordable visit.

Solantic’s walk-in urgent care clinics have taken the hassle out of school physicals and sports physicals by offering a no-appointment-necessary policy. For those who want to skip any wait time, we also offer online registration for school physical and sports physical appointments. Just choose the location that’s most convenient for you and complete and submit the online registration form. We’ll give you a call or send you a text message when the doctor is ready to see you. Don’t forget to complete, sign, print and bring with you customary forms (such as the HIPPA notice, patient financial policy and authorization to treat forms) to save even more time. Call Solantic Baptist Urgent Care at 866-SOLANTIC (765-2684) for more information.

August is National Immunization Awareness Awareness Month and Solantic Baptist Urgent Care is ready with all your family’s immunization needs. With children starting school, college students heading back for the fall term and flu season just around the corner, August is prime time for immunizations nationwide. Each of Solantic Baptist Urgent Care’s Florida locations offers a full battery of immunizations required and recommended for every age group for school, work and travel.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care offers all CDC-required and recommended immunizations.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care offers all immunizations listed in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization schedules for children, adolescents and adults. We also offer walk-in service when an unexpected vaccination need arises, such as the need for tetanus boosters and rabies vaccinations. Our highly trained medical staff keeps up to date on all needed or recommended vaccinations for people who work in specified high-risk industries. For instance, veterinarians, animal handlers, pet rescue transporters, park rangers and certain laboratory workers often are required to get regular rabies vaccinations even if they have not been bitten or otherwise exposed to rabies.

If you’re planning a trip abroad, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care also can assure you get all the immunizations required and recommended for travel to various countries and regions of the world. Whether you’re a frequent international business traveler, a spouse-to-be planning to honeymoon in some faraway tropical locale, or a student preparing to depart for a study abroad program any Solantic urgent care clinic can assure that you’re ready for travel.

We also offer seasonal immunizations such as flu shots and seasonal allergy vaccines, and screenings including TB skin tests. Solantic Baptist Urgent Care clinics are open 365 days a year and you never need an appointment. We make it easy for busy parents and professionals to get the treatment and preventative they and their families need. To make sure you and yours remain up to date on required and recommended immunizations, visit the Solantic urgent care location nearest you.