When you say “upper respiratory illness,” most people automatically think of stuffy noses and watery eyes. Few associate a sore throat with the same term, but the fact is that a sore throat is a key indicator of several upper respiratory illnesses. Solantic Baptist Urgent Care wants to make sure you’re aware that a raw, itchy throat may be a symptom of a more serious condition.

A sore throat can be caused by a simple irritant or a much more severe medical condition.

Acute Bronchitis: Acute Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tree, made up of the tubes that carry air into your lungs. Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, chest congestion, shortness of breath, wheezing, chills, body aches and a cough that can bring up a clear, yellow or green mucus and may last for several weeks after other symptoms have cleared up. Most cases of acute bronchitis simply run their course and disappear. Rest, lots of water, a humidifier and over -the-counter, anti-inflammatory pain medications can help you manage the symptoms. A cough suppressant is recommended only if your cough is dry. As uncomfortable as it may be, a cough that produces mucus will help speed your recovery. A cough that persists after several weeks, however, may be a sign of a more severe condition like pneumonia or asthma.

Tonsillitis & Strep Throat: Tonsillitis is a bacterial or viral infection of the tonsils, located at the back of your mouth on each side of your throat. The infection causes the tonsils to swell. Symptoms of tonsillitis and strep throat are very similar. They include fever, headache, white patches in your throat or on your tonsils, pain when you swallow, red and swollen tonsils, swollen and sore glands in your jaw and throat, abdominal pain and vomiting. But strep throat, caused specifically by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus, differs in that if it isn’t treated, it can result in kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to a rash, inflamed joints and, in severe cases, damage to heart valves. So, if there is any indication of either of these conditions, head to your nearest Solantic urgent care center.

Mononucleosis: Mononucleosis, informally known as “mono,” is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and accompanied by a sore throat that may last for 1 to 4 weeks. Other symptoms include swollen glands in your neck and armpits, fever, headache and exhaustion.

A simple sore throat also can be caused by irritants such as smoking, breathing polluted air and allergies to pollens, molds and pet dander. But if yours is accompanied by other symptoms, you may want to stop in to your nearest urgent care clinic. There, a physician can run tests to determine whether your sore throat is caused by bronchitis, tonsillitis, strep throat, mono or another viral or bacterial condition. Solantic Baptist Urgent Care has locations throughout Florida, open evenings and weekends with no appointment necessary.

For most pet owners, Fido and Fluffy are nothing less than four-legged family members whose unconditional love helps make our every day. But urgent care centers nationwide have treated more than a few pet lovers who present with conditions caused by dogs, cats and other domesticated animals. Pets’ claws, pads and fur can harbor bacterial, viral and fungal infections picked up simply by walking in a park, playing with other animals or rooting through trash to seek out a tasty treat. Protecting yourself and your pets can keep you both healthy.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care Center offers tips to help keep your family - including its four-legged members - healthy.

The two most common pet-prompted conditions that could send a two-legged to the nearest urgent care center are worms and ringworms. Called “larval migrans” by veterinarians, worms are found in the intestinal tract and are eliminated via feces. A case of the worms can be caused by touching feces while cleaning out your cat’s litter box or your pup’s accident, or even simply by touching soil contaminated by feces. If you fail to wash your hands after cleaning up feces, holding your pet or doing yard work in areas where your pet may have defecated, you may accidentally ingest worm eggs.  Gone unchecked, this can cause damage to your eyes, lungs, brain and other internal organs.

Pets can carry and transmit ringworm and other fungal injections in their fur. This is important to remember especially if you have cats, as they are more apt than dogs to carry fungus on their fur, but show no symptoms. Dogs, however, do exhibit signs of fungal infections including hair loss and round, raised lesions on the skin. Humans exhibit similar signs, including a raised, circular lesion that is red, inflamed, often appearing flaky and nearly always quite itchy. Pets also can harbor bacterial in their claws that can be transmitted to you through scratches or broken skin, causing infections.

Protecting yourself and your pets can be as simple as washing your hands after handling your pet or cleaning up after them. Getting your pet de-wormed regularly and giving them preventative medications can help you both avoid health woes.

Of course, pet ownership comes with health benefits aplenty as well. Multiple medical studies have shown that hypertensive patients who own cats or dogs were less likely to experience spikes in blood pressure and heart rate prompted by tension and stress than were those who did not have pets. Research also shows that pet owners are better able to deal with stress and fend off depression, and are more likely to exercise. Walking, running and playing Frisbee help keep both your pets and you in shape.

If you believe you may be affected by pet-related condition, visit your nearest Solantic Baptist Urgent Care walk-in clinic.

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.

Halloween is a favorite holiday among both kids and adults, and Solantic Baptist Urgent Care wants to make sure yours is more treat than trick. Dressing up in elaborate costumes, decking out your yard or home in hauntingly cool decorations and, of course, stuffing your face with sweet treats – who can resist? As enjoyable as each of these Halloween traditions is, each also poses health and safety risks. In fact, statistics show that from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. each October 31, there is a considerable risk in falls, burns and pedestrian accidents. Child pedestrian accidents are more than twice as likely to occur on Halloween as on any other night of the year according to Safe Kids USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries.

To help keep your Halloween festivities rockin’ Solantic Baptist Urgent Care offers these tips:

Incidents of child injuries from tripping, burn-related accidents and pedestrian accidents more than double on Halloween night compared to any other night of the year. Solantic Baptist Urgent Care offers tips for a safe and healthy Halloween.

• - Help your child choose a costume that’s both fun and safe. Check the label to ensure materials are fireproof or treated with a fire retardant. If you opt for a homemade costume and you’re unsure whether the materials are fireproof, use a fire retardant spray.
• - Choose close-fitting costumes. Flowing fabrics increase injury risks from tripping or catching fire if the costume grazes a flame.
• - Instruct your kids to stay clear of candle-lit luminaries and jack-o- lanterns to avoid potential burns – even if costumes are marked fireproof. You can never be too safe when it comes to fire. If you’re doing the decorating, use glow sticks or battery-operated lights rather than flames.
• - Choose masks with eye holes that are large enough to allow full peripheral vision – especially if you’ll be out trick-or-treating and crossing streets.
• - Make sure that props such as knives, pitchforks and even magic wands have smooth tips and are flexible and light-weight.
• - Work reflector strips, a flash light or light stick into your child’s costume to make it more visible at night. Not only will this assure that drivers see your child, but it will help you keep an eye on him/her while trick-or-treating.
• - Fill your children’s tummies with a healthy meal or snack before trick-or-treating to ensure they won’t be tempted to munch candies along the way. In fact, instruct them to wait until they get home and allow you to inspect their loot before digging in.
• - When checking their trick-or-treat bags, throw away anything unwrapped and check for treats with ingredients to which your child may be allergic including chocolate or nuts.
• - While there’s not much healthy about candy in general, some candies are healthier than others. Dark chocolate, sugar-free gums and candies, and unopened granola, fruit and nut bars are great choices.
• - To help avoid a candy-gorging tummy ache and instill a sense of good will, convince your children to split their trick-or-treat candy with a charitable organization. Children staying at homeless shelters or domestic abuse centers often are unable to enjoy the fun of trick-or-treating. Sharing will not only make a less fortunate child’s day, but your children may find they truly enjoy and are proud of making a charitable and socially responsible choice.

In case your child does fall victim to a Halloween hazard, make sure you know the location and hours of your nearest walk-in Solantic Baptist Urgent Care clinic or hospital emergency room.

National Drug-Free Work Week is October 18-24 and Solantic Baptist Urgent Care is urging all employers to participate. An initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor, Drug-Free Work Week is a dedicated time each year to highlight the benefits of a drug-free workplace to workers, employers and communities, and to help provide companies of all sizes with the resources needed to assure their staff remain drug free all year round.

The statistics on drug and alcohol use in the workplace are quite sobering. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The Journal of Studies on Alcohol, The Journal of Applied Psychology and other research sources:

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care can help your company avoid the devastating effects of substance use and abuse in the workplace.

•    75 percent of the nation’s current illegal drug users are employed and 3.1 percent say they have actually used illegal drugs before or during work hours.
•    79 percent of the nation’s heavy alcohol users are employed and 7.1 percent say they have actually consumed alcohol during the workday.
•    An estimated 1.7 percent of employed adults worked while under the influence of alcohol and 9.2 percent worked with a hangover in the past year.
•    Workers reporting heavy alcohol use or illicit drug use, as well as workers reporting dependence on or abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs, are more likely to have worked for more than three employers in the past year and are more likely to have skipped work more than two days in the past month.
•    Workers reporting illicit drug use or dependence on or abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs were also more likely to have missed more than two days of work due to illness or injury.

An employee’s substance use or abuse impacts not only his or her own performance at work, but that of coworkers as well. Studies show that coworkers often are forced to work harder, redo botched work or cover shifts and responsibilities of employees who are continually under the influence of alcohol or drugs – including prescription drugs. What’s more, an employee whose substance use poses danger or causes injury to coworkers and customers is a huge legal and financial liability for a company of any size. Keep in mind that smaller businesses are at a higher risk, in part because they are less likely to have or implement programs to combat the problem.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care can help in your efforts to make your workplace drug-free all year round. We offer 5, 8, 9 and 10-panel drug screens, blood alcohol screens and breathalyzer tests, as well as collection only of blood or urine. Like our screens designed specifically for the Department of Transportation, drug testing can be tailored for your company’s particular needs. And Solantic Baptist Urgent Care is an approved provider for most insurance carriers and worker’s compensation networks.

To help keep your company drug-free, contact your nearest Solantic urgent care clinic at 904-223-2320 or occhealth@solantic.com and ask about opening your corporate account.

September is Youth Soccer Month! Make sure your young athlete is ready to hit the field with a sports physical at Solantic Baptist Urgent Care. With more than 30 locations throughout Florida, a convenient no-appointment-necessary policy, online registration and affordable pricing, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care has taken the hassle out of sports physicals. Each of our urgent care clinics statewide offers sports physicals for just $35, or $50 if combined with a school physical.

September is Youth Soccer Month! Make sure your child is ready for play with a sports physical at Solantic Baptist Urgent Care.

Our sports physicals are designed to review a young patient’s existing conditions and identify any new or progressed health issues that might require limited or modified participation in certain sports activities. A board-certified urgent care physician will review your child’s full medical history and lifestyle, noting his or her height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and temperature. We’ll also examine your child’s 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 check your child’s vision and hearing, plus perform a urinalysis. All of this will help ensure that your young athlete is in top physical form and ready to play.

To prep your child for the start of the sports season, find the Solantic Baptist Urgent Care location that’s most convenient for you. Skip wait time by registering online. We’ll call or text you when the doctor is ready to see your child. 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 time and ensure a smooth check-in. Call Solantic Baptist Urgent Care at 866-SOLANTIC (765-2684) for more information.

As kids and college students head back to campus, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care and the America Occupational Therapy Association are urging parents and youngsters to pay close attention to the loads of books, school supplies and gadgets they’re carrying in their backpacks. September 16 is National School Backpack Awareness Day and the ATOA is encouraging schools to hold backpack weigh-ins and other awareness events. Studies show that heavy backpacks, unevenly distributed weight loads and backpacks worn incorrectly are notorious for causing long term back and shoulder pain, muscle spasms and torn tendons. Backpacks worn with uneven straps can affect balance, which can result in urgent care needs such as twisted ankles.

A great tell-tale clue for parents: if your child tends to lean forward while wearing his or her backpack, it’s too heavy. Other signs are red marks on the shoulders, muscle spasms and tingling or numbness in the arms. A few tips:

Heavy backpacks, purses and laptop bags can cause neck, shoulder and back problems among other orthpedic health woes.

• Make sure your child is using a backpack that’s right for his size.
• Look for backpacks with pockets that help evenly distribute weight.
• A child’s backpack weight should be no more than 20 percent of his body weight according to the American Society of Orthopedics. The American Physical Therapy Association recommends going even lighter – 10-15 percent.
• Look for backpacks with shoulder straps and make sure the straps are adjusted evenly and tight enough that the backpack doesn’t hang loose – even if your kid complains that it looks “dorky.”
• Take out all unnecessary items, including all those electronic gadgets not allowed at school anyway.
• If your child is loaded down with books, he may have to carry a few by hand. If possible, purchase a second set of text books to keep at home.
• Encourage your child to place books in lockers between classes if time permits.
• Rolling backpacks might be an option if your child does not have to climb stairways to get to class, but can pose a tripping hazard for other students if hallways are overcrowded.
• When packing, make sure that the heaviest books and items are placed closest to your child’s back, as the middle of the back is where the strongest muscles are located.

Of course, these issues aren’t just about school backpacks. Those celebrity-inspired oversized purses and heavy laptop cases also can cause neck, back and shoulder strain. Carrying a heavy purse or bag over one shoulder causes the user to totally shift the body’s stance. Over time, this can shorten the muscles, resulting in a twisted or lop-sided body position. Heavy shoulder bags also strain muscles that exit the neck and continue down the shoulder, which can lead to arthritis. Orthopedic experts recommend minimizing your load, opting for a stylish rucksack instead of a purse or using wearing a long-strapped purse across your body, and using a rolling laptop bag, laptop backpack or contoured laptop bag that fits the shape of your body.

Visit Soltantic Baptist Urgent Care for all your back-to-school health need including school and sports physicals and immunizations.

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.

Did you know that Solantic Baptist Urgent Care can help keep your company healthy? Employers and health insurance leaders across the country are booking their spots for the National Corporate Wellness Conference in Los Angeles Sept. 20-22. While there, they’ll learn what smart business leaders and Solantic already know – that healthy, happy employees contribute to your company’s bottom line by boosting productivity and employee morale.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care's occupational medicine and executive physical services can help keep you, your employees and your company healthy.

A 2004 study by Cornell University shows that “presenteeism” (employees showing up for work despite being ill) costs the American economy $180 billion in lost productivity annually. A 2009 survey by CCH Inc., which provides employment law information for human resources professionals, concluded that unscheduled employee absenteeism (primarily for illnesses) cost companies an average of $755 per year. And substance abuse and addiction costs American companies billions in absenteeism, insurance costs (including insurance for treatment of health conditions exacerbated by substance abuse) and related costs each year.

Solantic Baptist Urgent Care can help keep your employees healthy and your business running smoothly with our occupational medicine services. Each of our urgent care centers located throughout Florida offers confidential employment and pre-employment drug screens, immunizations, X-ray and EKG services, vision testing, hearing testing and pulmonary functioning testing, plus physicals for DOT workers, OSHA physicals and customized examinations tailored for your company’s specific needs. We also offer an “Executive Physical” designed to help evaluate an executive employee or candidate’s ability to handle the rigors and strains of a high-pressure positions. HIV and STD serologic testing also is available.

Whether you’re an HR professional for a large company with thousands of employees or a small business owner with a staff of just a few, Solantic Baptist Urgent Care offers occupational medicine at a budget that works for your company or department. To keep your business in top shape, contact the center nearest you for more information Solantic’s occupational medicine and corporate wellness services today.