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Flu Shot FAQ: Dr. Pundt Answers All Your Flu Shot Questions

Flu Shot FAQ: Dr. Pundt Answers All Your Flu Shot Questions

Summer 2018 has come to a close, which means the cool days and even cooler nights of fall are here. While this time of year often ushers in a return to routine and the chance to breathe again after a busy summer, it also brings with it the reemergence of influenza, commonly referred to as “the flu.” Flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months, with activity typically increasing in October and often not dwindling until April or May. So, what can you do to decrease your chances of getting sick this year? Aside from maintaining good hygiene, there’s no better defense against influenza than the flu shot.

At ConvenientMD, we get a lot of inquiries from patients about the flu shot throughout the fall and winter months. Here are some answers to a handful of the most common questions we receive.


Q: What is the Flu Shot?

A: The flu shot—also referred to as the influenza vaccine—is given to patients annually as a means of protecting against infection from influenza viruses. New versions of the vaccine are developed twice each year due to rapid mutations in the viruses that are most prevalent at a given time. Most people should get the flu shot because it can provide a high degree of protection against influenza and also reduce the severity of symptoms in those who do get sick.

Though efficacy in children under the age of two is often debated, most experts agree that vaccinating children can help keep those around them from coming down with the influenza virus.


Q: Can I Get the Flu from a Flu Shot?

A: In short, no. This is one of the most common misconceptions about the influenza vaccine. Since the viruses injected as part of the vaccine are no longer alive, they are incapable of causing infection. In the case that a person gets sick shortly after receiving a flu shot, they were likely infected via a different source before having even gotten the shot—purely a coincidence and not a result of the influenza vaccine.


Q: Do I Really Need to Get a Flu Vaccine Each Year?

A: Yearly immunization is recommended, yes. The flu is unique in that it is not actually caused by a single virus. Rather, numerous “strains” of influenza come in and out of prominence every year and can mutate without warning, resulting in a need to manufacture targeted vaccines on a rolling basis. In other words, the flu shot you received last year at this time may be wholly ineffective against this year’s worrisome strains. Hence, we believe it’s important to get a flu shot every fall.


Q: When is the Best Time to Get the Flu Shot?

A: As it can take some time for the flu shot to reach full efficacy, we recommend patients be vaccinated before the flu season is in full swing. September and October are the most ideal months for immunization—waiting until winter may result in a less effective defense against influenza.


Q: Can I Still Get the Flu if I’ve Been Vaccinated?

A: Unfortunately, it’s still possible to contract influenza after you’ve gotten the flu shot. It takes the body approximately two weeks to build antibodies against influenza, which means those who are exposed to the virus during this period of time may still get sick. As viruses can mutate, no flu vaccine is 100% effective. The good news is that those who do end up getting sick and have been vaccinated typically do not experience symptoms as severe as those who did not get the flu shot.


Q: Are There Any Side Effects Associated with the Flu Shot?

A: Most people who receive the flu shot do not experience any side effects. For some, the area where the shot was given may become sore shortly after immunization—others may (rarely) experience muscle aches at the injection site for 1-2 days post-shot. No side effect of the flu shot can compare in severity to actual influenza symptoms.


Q: How Does Getting a Flu Shot Impact Public Health?

A: Getting the flu vaccine not only helps to ensure you stay healthy throughout the season—it helps keep the people around you healthy, too. For a portion of the population—children, the elderly and anyone who is immunosuppressed—the flu can actually result in dangerous complications and even lead to death if left untreated. It stands to reason that the fewer cases of the flu there are each year, the less likely it is these populations will come down with the virus. Thus, getting a flu shot yourself plays a large role in maintaining public health.

This flu season, take control by getting a flu shot at any  ConvenientMD location in New Hampshire, Maine or Massachusetts. As a benefit to the communities we serve, ConvenientMD offers free flu shots throughout the season to anyone—with or without insurance. You never need to make an appointment to be seen by one of our treating providers, so just walk in at any time to receive your free flu shot this year!

The Signs and Symptoms of 5 Common Back-to-School Illnesses

As thousands of kids throughout New England prepare to return for yet another school year, parents across New England are already dreading the back-to-school illnesses that plague classrooms across all grade levels. Avoiding getting sick around the start of a new school year can be challenging, but it helps to have an understanding of what to look out for. Here are the signs and symptoms of five common back-to-school illnesses, all of which can be diagnosed and treated at ConvenientMD.

 

1. The Common Cold

Just about everyone knows what it’s like to catch a cold. The end result of infection from hundreds of different types of viruses (mostly rhinovirus), the common cold affects kids more heavily than adults and can reoccur with frequency during the school year. While self-limiting and unlikely to lead to severe complications, the common cold is extremely contagious and can make getting through the day downright miserable.

Signs and symptoms of the common cold include: sneezing; coughing; sore throat; runny nose; congestion; fatigue; watery eyes; headache.

 

2. Sore Throat

When a sore throat pops up out of nowhere and increases in severity over a short period of time, streptococcal pharyngitis—commonly referred to as “strep throat”—may be to blame. The bacteria responsible for causing the illness spreads quite easily across classrooms, which is one reason why strep tends to occur in waves throughout the fall and winter (and less often during the warmer portion of the year). Strep throat often requires treatment with antibiotics and can (rarely) lead to complications involving the heart or kidneys if not treated.

Signs and symptoms of strep throat include: sore throat (sometimes severe); fever; swollen lymph nodes; pain when swallowing; chills; nausea; vomiting.

 

3. Ear Infections

Otitis media is the medical name for what many people know all too well from growing up as ear infections. In children, ear infections can be recurrent, stubborn and particularly painful due to the position of the ear eustachian tubes being different than that of most adults. Ear infections can sometimes result from coming down with the common cold, though they often occur without any noticeable precipitating factors. While antibiotics may be prescribed, they are typically reserved for severe cases—often occurring in children under the age of two years old.

Signs and symptoms of ear infections include: ear pain; impaired hearing; dizziness; balance issues; drainage; hearing problems; vertigo; fever; chills; headache.

 

4. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

One of the more contagious illnesses associated with the start of a new school year, conjunctivitis—commonly referred to as “pink eye”—is extremely common.  While pink eye typically begins as a viral infection, constant rubbing of the affected eye or eyes can quickly lead to bacterial infection. Antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed to treat bacterial conjunctivitis, and pink eye resulting from allergies can often be treated with antihistamines.

Signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis include: redness; itching; tearing-up of the eyes; irritation/inflammation of the eyelid; dryness; swollen eye lining; congestion; runny nose.

 

5. Norovirus (The “Stomach Bug”)

Few viruses hit quite as fast and hard as norovirus, also commonly called the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu.” Like the common cold, there are a number of different types of noroviruses that can cause symptoms, and they’re so contagious that when one member of a family gets sick, the rest usually do, too. Unlike the common cold, however, symptoms tend to be gastrointestinal in nature, often including extensive bouts of vomiting. Norovirus tends to limit itself within a few days, however, the risk of dehydration makes it more dangerous than many people realize.

Signs and symptoms of norovirus include: nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; cramps; diarrhea; fever; chills; muscle ache; decrease in urination; dry mouth; dizziness.

 

Visit ConvenientMD to Get Better Today!

While it helps to be vigilant about good hand-washing habits and other best practices for staying healthy, there’s no way to completely avoid getting sick around this time of year—especially for students. At ConvenientMD, regularly treat all of the most common back-to-school illnesses, such as the common cold, conjunctivitis, and strep throat. Our highly experienced treating providers can help get your child feeling healthy and back in the classroom again as soon as possible.

When back-to-school illness hits, ConvenientMD is here to help. Visit any one of our locations in New Hampshire, Maine or Massachusetts to get treated today! Just walk in—8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

Ouch! Treating Lacerations and Cuts at ConvenientMD

Dr. Lynne Werner

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Lacerations and Cuts Urgent Care NH MA ME

Ouch! Treating Lacerations and Cuts at ConvenientMD

Another school year is here, and for many students, athletics have already begun. While getting out onto the field can be a fun, rewarding experience, playing sports comes along with the risk of injury—especially fall contact sports like football. Lacerations and cuts can happen both on and off the field, and they’re by no means restricted to students or athletes. So, what should you do if you or a loved one gets hurt?

At ConvenientMD, we treat minor to moderate lacerations and cuts on a regular basis. Here’s what you need to know about these all-too-common injuries, as well as what you should do if you’ve suffered a laceration or cut.


 

What are Lacerations and Cuts?

Most people are familiar with simple, mild cuts, such as those sustained from improperly slicing with a knife or even handling certain types of paper (“paper cuts” can be particularly painful!). They can be caused by a simple puncture. Minor cuts tend to heal relatively quickly and do not typically come along with a high risk for infection. Lacerations, on the other hand, are usually deeper, may lead to separation of the connective tissue, in which case bleeding—sometimes significant—is almost always present. Lacerations often result from blunt trauma, falling or collisions. In severe cases, damage to the muscle and underlying skin can occur.


 

What are the Symptoms of Lacerations and Cuts?

Lacerations and cuts are usually obvious and do not tend to go ignored or overlooked. They can come along with varying symptoms, however, including the following:

  • Pain (mild to severe depending upon the injury)
  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Skin discoloration

In severe cases, the following symptoms may occur:

  • Bleeding that cannot be stopped
  • Debris in the wound
  • Numbness beyond the wound or inability to move a finger or toe.
  • Partially severed fingers/toes
  • Signs of shock (such as weak pulse, clammy skin, rapid breathing)

These symptoms are signs of a medical emergency. If experienced, seek medical treatment right away so as to prevent complications from forming.


 

Diagnosing and Treating Lacerations and Cuts

The first step with any laceration or cut is to stop the bleeding if possible. This can be done by applying direct pressure to the wound and keeping the affected area elevated. Cleaning the wound with soap and water will help to prevent infection. With moderate lacerations and cuts that require medical attention, a treating provider will do what’s necessary to stop any excessive bleeding and may use a topical anesthetic or injection to treat pain and discomfort. From there, the wound will either be sewed or bandaged appropriately, minimizing the risk of bacterial infection.

In addition, the provider will assess the patient’s tetanus immunization status.

 

Visit ConvenientMD to Get Treated Today!

There are certainly ways in which to help prevent lacerations and cuts from occurring, however these types of injuries can happen at any time, and no one is immune. At ConvenientMD, we treat a wide variety of illnesses and injuries, including mild to moderate lacerations and cuts. Our highly experienced treating providers help patients get back to feeling their best quickly and efficiently, reducing the risks of complications and putting minds at ease in the process.

Have you or a loved one suffered a laceration or cut? Visit any ConvenientMD location to get treated today. Just walk right in—you don’t ever need an appointment!