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The Importance of Hand Hygiene in Cold Prevention

The common cold is an ailment that affects millions of people every year. It can cause discomfort, disrupt daily activities, and even lead to more serious complications. While there are various ways to prevent colds, one simple yet crucial step is often overlooked – proper hand hygiene.

In this article, we will delve deeper into how hand hygiene can help you fight colds.

The Role of Hands in Cold Transmission

Hands serve as vehicles for the transmission of cold-causing viruses. We touch our faces frequently, inadvertently introducing germs into our respiratory system.

Furthermore, we come into contact with surfaces that may harbor these viruses, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, and handrails.

Thus, practicing good hand hygiene is essential in breaking this cycle and reducing the risk of catching a cold.

The Power of Handwashing

Regular handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of cold viruses.

It’s important to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and when returning home from public places.

The Science Behind Handwashing

Handwashing works by physically removing germs from the hands.

Soap molecules surround and lift away the microorganisms, while water rinses them off. The friction created during handwashing further enhances this process.

Handwashing can reduce the risk of respiratory infections, including the common cold, by up to 21%.

Hand Sanitizers as a Convenient Alternative

When soap and water are not readily available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content can be used as a substitute.

These sanitizers effectively kill many types of germs, including cold viruses, on the skin.

However, it is important to note that hand sanitizers should not replace regular handwashing whenever possible.

Other Hygiene Practices to Complement Handwashing

While hand hygiene is crucial, it is not the only preventive measure against colds. Supporting practices include:

  • Avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick.
  • Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoiding touching your face when outside of your home, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces.

When to Visit Your Doctor

While practicing good hand hygiene is a significant step in preventing the common cold, it’s important to know when it’s necessary to seek medical attention.

While most colds resolve on their own within a week or two, there are certain situations where a visit to your doctor may be warranted.

Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to seek professional medical advice:

1. High Fever

If you have a persistent fever above 100.4°F (38°C), it may be a sign of a more serious infection.

Your doctor can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

2. Severe or Prolonged Symptoms

If your cold symptoms are particularly severe or last longer than expected, it’s advisable to consult with your healthcare provider.

This could include symptoms such as extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a persistent cough.

3. Worsening Symptoms

If your symptoms worsen over time instead of improving, it may indicate a secondary infection or complications.

Seek medical advice if you experience increasing congestion, severe headache, ear pain, or a worsening sore throat.

4. Chronic Health Conditions

Individuals with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system, should consult their doctor if they develop cold symptoms.

These individuals are more susceptible to complications and may require additional medical support.

5. Concerns for Infants and Young Children

Babies under three months old with a fever should always be seen by a healthcare professional.

Additionally, if your child’s symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by other worrisome signs, it’s recommended to seek medical advice.

6. Personalized Medical Advice

If you have any concerns or questions about your specific situation or if you’re unsure whether to visit your doctor, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider.

They can provide personalized guidance based on your medical history and symptoms.

While hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of colds, it’s important to listen to your body and seek medical attention when necessary.

Your healthcare provider can help assess your symptoms, provide appropriate treatment recommendations, and offer peace of mind.

Cold Treatment in King, NC

Hand hygiene plays a vital role in preventing the spread of the common cold. By practicing regular handwashing, you can reduce the risk of catching a cold and prevent its transmission to others. Remember, clean hands lead to healthier lives!

Do you need medical treatment for the common cold or another illness? If so, you can put your trust in Cardinal Urgent Care. Our urgent care specialists will make sure you receive nothing short of the best care. You may reach our friendly staff today at (336) 983-9111 for any questions or concerns.

Visit our clinic seven days a week. We look forward to serving you.

Flu Season Preparedness: How Urgent Care Can Help with Seasonal Illnesses

Flu season, a period of increased influenza activity, presents a significant health challenge every year, affecting millions of individuals across the United States. As the weather changes and the temperature drops, the flu virus becomes more prevalent, leading to a surge in flu-related illnesses.

Being prepared and informed about seeking medical care during this time is crucial to ensuring a healthier winter.

What’s Flu Season?

Flu season typically spans from fall to early spring, with the peak of activity occurring during winter. The flu, short for influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

It spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, making close contact situations particularly conducive to transmission.

Common flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Recognizing these symptoms is essential, as early intervention can lead to faster recovery and prevent complications.

The Role of Urgent Care During Flu Season

Urgent care centers have emerged as valuable resources within the healthcare system, offering an alternative to emergency rooms for non-life-threatening conditions. During flu season, these centers provide timely and efficient care to individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms.

One of the most significant advantages of urgent care centers is their extended hours of operation, which often include evenings and weekends. Their availability ensures that individuals can seek medical attention when their primary care doctor’s office is closed.

Moreover, urgent care centers offer prompt medical attention, with shorter wait times than emergency rooms focusing on life-threatening cases. This is especially beneficial during fluseason when the demand for healthcare services increases.

By visiting an urgent care center, people can receive medical care more quickly, allowing them to start their recovery sooner. Seeking care at an urgent care center can prevent complications from untreated or poorly managed flu symptoms. Medical professionals at these centers can prescribe antiviral medications if needed, which can shorten the duration of illness and reduce the severity of symptoms.

This early intervention is vital for individuals at higher risk of complications, such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with certain chronic health conditions. Furthermore, choosing to go to an urgent care center is a more cost-effective solution without compromising on the quality of care received.

When to Choose Urgent Care?

Deciding when to visit an urgent care center during flu season depends on the severity of the symptoms and the individual’s overall health status.

Mild to moderate flu symptoms, such as fever, cough, and body aches, can typically be managed with over-the-counter medications and rest. However, seeking medical attention is advised if symptoms worsen or become unmanageable at home.

Individuals struggling to control their symptoms or those with concerns about potential complications should consider visiting an urgent care center.High-risk individuals, including those with weakened immune systems or chronic medical conditions, should also prioritize seeking medical care if they experience flu-like symptoms.

Additionally, individuals who require prescription medications, such as antiviral drugs, to manage their flu symptoms can benefit from visiting an urgent care center to receive prompt treatment.

Preparing for the Visit

Gather any necessary documents before visiting an urgent care center. Start by checking the center’s operating hours and location to ensure they are open when needed. When you come to the urgent care center, bring along your identification, insurance information, and a list of your current medications.

What to Expect During a Urgent Care Visit?

When you arrive at the urgent care center, you will complete the check-in process and provide your personal information and the reason for your visit. After check-in, a healthcare provider will evaluate your condition, including taking your medical history and performing a physical examination.

Depending on the situation, the provider may order diagnostic tests, such as a rapid flu test, to confirm the presence of the virus.

The healthcare provider will recommend a suitable treatment plan based on the evaluation and test results. This plan may include prescribing antiviral medications, providing guidance on managing symptoms at home, and advising when to seek further medical attention.

Preventing the Spread of Illness

As we approach flu season, it’s crucial to take preventive measures to reduce the spread of the illness.If you feel unwell, stay home to avoid infecting others in your community. Practice good respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with tissue or a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing. Regularly wash your hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds, especially after sneezing, coughing, or being in public places.

Above all, getting vaccinated against the flu remains one of the most effective preventive measures. Annual flu vaccines protect against the most common flu strains circulating in that year.By getting vaccinated, you safeguard your health and contribute to the collective effort to reduce flu transmission within the community.

Reliable Urgent Care in King, NC

In the midst of flu season, being informed and proactive about seeking medical care is essential. Urgent care centers stand as beacons of support, offering convenient access to medical professionals, diagnostic services, and timely treatment.

If you need urgent care for any reason — including the flu — come visit Cardinal Urgent Care. Our experienced healthcare professionals stand ready to offer complete, personalized, and comprehensive urgent care to all patients.

Contact us by calling (336) 983-9111, or request an appointment online.

The Most Common Urgent Care Procedures Explained

Accidents can happen at any time and in any place. No one looks forward to it, but in these situations, urgent care clinics exist to provide convenient medical care. They aim to bridge the gap between emergency room visits and typical primary care. If you have never been to an urgent care facility before, you might not be sure what to expect at an urgent care facility.

Let’s talk about some of the most common urgent care procedures and where you can find the best urgent care center in Stokes County, NC.

Minor Wound Care

Sometimes you might just shrug off cuts, scrapes, and burns as things that happen in your daily life. However, it’s important to remember that any break in the skin can lead to infection.

Depending on your health and other factors, even a minor skin infection could turn into something serious or life-threatening if ignored.

Healthcare providers in urgent care clinics address a variety of minor skin injuries, including cuts, scratches, and burns. They will clean and dress your wound, prescribe medication to prevent infection or manage any pain you might be feeling.

Cuts

When dealing with minor cuts, it’s important to keep the wound clean, sterilized, and bandaged. In some cases, medication may be necessary to prevent infection or ease pain.

Scratches

Scratches are like mild cuts that may not always bleed. It’s important to clean and dress the wound and consider using an antibiotic ointment to avoid infection.

Burns

For minor burns, over-the-counter gels or creams can be used after cleaning the skin. However, chemical, electrical, or severe burns may require advanced medical attention to ensure there is no internal damage.

More Serious Cuts

Sutures can help more serious cuts heal faster by holding the edges of the skin together. However, whether or not you need them will depend on various factors, such as:

  • The size and location of the injury
  • The amount of bleeding
  • Your overall health

If you’re unsure whether your injury requires stitches, it’s best to consult a medical professional. When deemed necessary, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the affected area before the sutures are threaded.

Some stitches dissolve on their own, while others will need to be removed at a follow-up appointment.

Digital X-Ray Imaging

At times, identifying the cause of your symptoms may require more than just a history and physical examination. High-quality imaging services are thus helpful in understanding what is going on inside the body.

Digital X-rays are now essential in diagnosing an array of illnesses and injuries unseen by the naked eye. Examples include:

  • Broken bones
  • Respiratory infections
  • Foreign objects lodged inside the body

Digital X-rays use only low doses of radiation to produce detailed images of the inside of your body. They are also quick, painless, and non-invasive.

Urgent care clinics often have board-certified radiologists who can review the images within 30 minutes. This ensures you get expert findings as soon as possible.

Earwax Removal

Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural substance that cleans and protects the ear canal. Sometimes, it can build up and cause the following:

  • Ear fullness
  • A blocked sensation
  • Diminished hearing

Your healthcare provider can use a special tool called an otoscope to take a look inside your ear canals.

If they discover too much earwax, they can safely remove it. They may flush the wax out with warm water or remove it using gentle suction.

They may apply ear wax softening drops before irrigation to make the removal process easier.  Their cleaning technique is highly effective in helping you regain your sense of hearing in the affected ear.

Intravenous (IV) Fluid Administration

IV therapy is a quick and effective way to deliver fluids, blood, or medication directly into the body through the veins. It is particularly useful for patients who need immediate drug or fluid delivery.

You may need IV fluid administration due to:

  • Dehydration
  • Excessive vomiting and diarrhea
  • Infection that requires IV antibiotic therapy

Determining the suitable amount and type of IV fluids and the ideal rate of administration can be difficult. Providers in urgent care centers have the expertise to give suitable health recommendations and care.

Splinting and Partial Casting

For non-life-threatening conditions involving broken bones or sprains, help is available. Casts and splints are commonly used to immobilize the injured limb and promote healing.

Initially, splints are preferred due to swelling, which can be later replaced with a cast once the swelling goes down.

Casts are made from plaster or fiber glass and provide more support than splints. On the other hand, splints are easier and faster to use but provide less support.

Urgent Care in Stokes County, NC

Cardinal Urgent Care’s state-of-the-art facility is ready to serve your healthcare needs seven days a week. Our team— led by board-certified emergency room physician Dr. Samir Patel—values the convenience, time, health, and overall experience of the people in the community we are privileged to serve. As such, we strive to provide comprehensive, highly efficient,compassionate care, so our patients can quickly get back to doing the things they love to do.

No appointment is needed – just walk in. For more information on our services, please call our friendly team at (336) 983-9111.

Five Tips For Getting The Most Out of Your Doctor’s Visit

When you visit your doctor, it is an opportunity to speak with a medical expert with a vast amount of knowledge and resources to address any and all health problems you may be facing. Most people have to take time off work, school, or other responsibilities in order to see their doctor. Add in the time it takes you to get to and from the doctor’s office, as well as the time spent in the waiting room, and you will likely be spending at least 2 hours in total to complete this task. That’s why it is important to make your visit worthwhile.

Here are five tips to maximize the benefits of your doctor’s visit.

Tip #1 Make a written list of questions and symptoms before you go to your appointment.

In order to maximize the time spent with your doctor, you should have everything you need to be addressed during the appointment. Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget details about your symptoms or questions you want to ask your doctor when you have to remember everything by memory alone.

For instance, you may wish to ask about vaccines or prescription refills. Is it time for your next colonoscopy? Could that antibiotic you took for a UTI have upset your stomach? These types of questions are easy to forget. This is why writing and bringing a list of your symptoms and questions is a great idea.

Tip #2 Be specific about your symptoms.

If you have a new or continuing complaint, be detailed when relaying your symptoms to your doctor. When did the symptoms start? What worsens or improves it? What kind of pain are you experiencing (sharp, dull, aching, etc.) and what activities make it worse? What is the exact location of your discomfort? The more precisely you communicate how you feel, the better your doctor’s assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan will be.

Tip #3 Bring a written list of your medications and all vitamins and supplements, including dosages and when you take them.

The benefit of sharing this information is that a lot of patient symptoms come from the drugs and supplements they take. For instance, a medication you’re taking for pain may be causing constipation. It could even be a drug interaction that is unbeknownst to you. Your doctor can review your medications and supplements, check for interactions, and even recommend alternatives – all in a single appointment.

Tip #4 Be honest.

A lot of patients come into their doctor’s office and feel that they can’t share 100% of everything they’re experiencing due to embarrassment or fear of what they’ll hear. For instance, a diabetic may be embarrassed to tell their doctor that they aren’t controlling their blood sugar level properly or that they aren’t taking their medication as prescribed. Alternatively, a patient with an alarming symptom may not want to share it out of fear of what they may be diagnosed with.

Your doctor is your ally in health, and it is important that you be as honest and transparent with them as possible. They are your gateway to better health, and they want to support you in every way possible. It is a judgment-free zone, and you should feel comfortable being as honest during your doctor’s visit as you are with yourself.

Tip #5 Take notes, or ask for a printed visit summary.

Your doctor’s appointment will be effective when you incorporate what’s discussed and decided in the appointment once you get home. In order to follow your doctor’s instructions better, it is best to write everything down. Bring a pen and paper with you, and write down the changes to your diet, medications, or lifestyle that your doctor recommends. You can also ask for a printed copy of your visit summary if your doctor’s office provides such a thing.

Quality Primary and Urgent Care in Stokes County, NC

If you live in the Stokes County, NC, area, visit Cardinal Urgent Care for all your health care needs. We are happy to serve patients seven days a week. Just walk in for fast, compassionate service, or let us know you’re coming by calling (336) 983-9111.

Board-certified emergency medicine physician, Dr. Samir Patel, and his team provide quick and accurate treatments for a wide range of injuries and conditions. Plus, we offer on-site testing, such as blood work, X-rays, and EKGs, as well as physical exams for work, school, or more.

We look forward to seeing you soon!