ASAP Urgent Care Says It’s Not Too Late
With two influenza (flu) deaths confirmed here in Connecticut, flu season is worsening across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) via an NBC News report, there are currently 20 states with highly reported cases of the flu. Connecticut, however, is one of 12 states where flu activity is considered “minimal.”The best way to prevent influenza is by getting the influenza vaccine. The good news is, it’s not too late. As reported by NBC News, the CDC says the flu vaccine kept nearly 80,000 people out of the hospital last year, and prevented 6.6 million cases of flu.
ASAP Urgent Care centers in Connecticut (currently open in Hamden and Madison) offer the flu vaccine at no cost – if patients have health insurance, ASAP bills insurance; if patients don’t have insurance, ASAP offers the vaccine free of charge. What’s more, there is no shortage of the flu vaccine this year.
In addition to getting vaccinated, frequent and thorough hand washing can help prevent the flu.
How to Know if You Have the Flu
People who have the flu will feel some or even all of the following:• Fever or fever/chills (however, flu doesn’t always accompany the flu)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
What To Do If You Think You Have the Flu
While most people are able to recover from the flu without medical attention by staying home until they’ve been fever free for 24 hours, some people are at risk of serious flu related complications and should see a doctor immediately. They include:• Children under five years old, especially those under two;
• People over 65 years old;
• Pregnant women;
• People who have asthma, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and blood disorders.
If you suspect you have the flu and want to see a doctor, ASAP Urgent Care offers online doctor visits via its website between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Just create a free account, and pick a time that works for you to meet with an ASAP medical professional. Patients receive prescriptions and medical guidance and medical information is securely and privately stored for future visits. ASAP can even send a copy of your medical records to print or download and share with your primary physician.
About ASAP Urgent Care
Founded in Connecticut by doctors with over three decades of experience, ASAP Urgent Care is dedicated to providing a better solution for people who have urgent medical needs. In addition, ASAP offers occupational medicine, online doctor visits, and diet and sleep aid for patients of all ages. ASAP Urgent Care also has employer services to help keep businesses running and employees healthy with a wide range of services from diagnostics, to flu clinics, to drug screenings, and more.The healthcare team at ASAP is dedicated to providing a superior quality of service and treating a greater breadth of illness with deeper expertise and professionalism. Patient relationships are at the forefront of every aspect of care.
Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Through ASAP’s website, patients can video conference with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their own homes. ASAP Urgent Care centers are open in Hamden (203-248-2727) and Madison (203-318-8000). The chain will open facilities in Milford and North Haven in early 2014. For more information, visit www.ASAPGetBetter.com and connect with ASAP on Facebook.
Lawrence Earl, MD is COO & Chief Medical Officer of ASAP Urgent Care. An urgent care physician with three decades of caring for patients, advising corporate health clients, and building health-care enterprises, Dr. Earl is a recognized national expert on Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine, particularly in the area of commercial driver evaluation and management. He was recently featured on the national satellite “Road Dog” radio show, helping truckers with their medical concerns. He serves as medical director for NADME.org, the National Academy of DOT Medical Examiners, which trains physicians to become certified for the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME), and maintains the “UrgentCareMentor.com” blog to assist urgent care physicians with their practice.
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