What is Coronavirus? Coronaviruses cause diseases in mammals and birds that include diarrhea in cows and pigs, upper respiratory disease in chickens and rare, but potentially lethal, human respiratory infections although these are often mild. There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs that are approved for prevention or treatment. (CDC 2019) There is a new strain of Coronavirus discovered in China recently. This particular strain has been more lethal, meaning that normally healthy humans who … [Read more...] about Coronavirus Symptoms
Fever
What Are The Symptoms of The Flu?
Flu symptoms are elusive. We hear symptoms of illness described as “flu-like”. What does that mean? How can you know if what you are feeling is a cold, or something more serious like the flu? If you’ve ever had the flu virus, you know. Fever, body aches, sneezing, cough, weakness, and sometimes even vomiting are part of what makes up the flu. That sounds pretty awful. Anyone surviving a bout of the flu feels like they should have gotten a t-shirt to commemorate their accomplishment. There are … [Read more...] about What Are The Symptoms of The Flu?
After The Flu Vaccine: Best Practices
Best Practices After Getting a Flu Vaccine Knowing what to do after getting a flu vaccine can save lives. Should you be confident that you are protected from contracting Influenza? Seasonal Influenza shots protect against the three or four Influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. There are several flu prevention options to choose from, but the most important practice is for all people 6 months and older to get an Influenza vaccine every year. If … [Read more...] about After The Flu Vaccine: Best Practices
Do I Have A Cold Or The Flu?
Colds and Flu Types Is it the cold or flu? Sneezing, coughing, fever, body aches, stomach distress are symptoms of a number of illnesses. How do you know the difference between the common cold and the flu? Common Cold Symptoms The common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory tract). It's usually harmless, although it might not feel that way. Many types of viruses can cause a common cold. If symptoms exceed comfort levels, it is time to see a doctor. (Mayo … [Read more...] about Do I Have A Cold Or The Flu?
Flu Vaccine Facts
When it comes to the flu vaccine, there are decisions to make. As a community healthcare provider, we are often asked questions about flu vaccine effectiveness, when to get the flu vaccine, what ages are affected most by the flu and what are flu vaccine side-effects. The most vulnerable populations when it comes to illness are the very young and the elderly. Infant bodies are working hard to build immunities. The elderly may have compromised immunities as a result of other illness or may be … [Read more...] about Flu Vaccine Facts
Thyroid Awareness: Know The Symptoms
Each year, an estimated 20,000,000 Americans are victims of various thyroid conditions that may not show any symptoms at all. 60 percent of them do not even know that there is something wrong. I was one of those Americans. In my case, my condition turned out to be thyroid cancer. And at the age of 34, a month before my baby girl turned 1, I had to have my entire thyroid removed. While my cancer story could employ another 10,000 words (future post alert), the focus of today’s post is to … [Read more...] about Thyroid Awareness: Know The Symptoms
What To Do When You Child Has a Fever
Let’s just all agree... kids get sick... It’s one of those things they are just born naturals at. But when not feeling well is accompanied by a fever, our level of caution as parents should rise exponentially. Hi, I’m Dr. Joseph Burkett ER Physician here locally at Elite Care 24 Hour Emergency Room in Plano. Seeing your child suffering from an illness and realizing they have a fever can be a very scary and lonely moment. What do you do? Can you treat it yourself? Should you call the … [Read more...] about What To Do When You Child Has a Fever
Abdominal Pain
When Should I Visit The ER? Shirley Temple warned us, “If you eat too much, you’ll awake with a tummy ache. But when is abdominal pain serious enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room? Quite often patients arrive at the ER complaining of a pain in their stomach. Sometimes the cause of this pain is serious enough to warrant a visit to us and other times perhaps a doctor’s visit could have been avoided. Severe Symptoms The following are very painful symptoms and indicate … [Read more...] about Abdominal Pain
Back Pain Emergencies
We’ve all felt a pain in our back. But when is that pain worthy of a trip to the emergency room? You know your body better than anyone. If you sense something is seriously wrong, or if the pain is so severe that you cannot wait to see your primary care doctor, a trip to see us at Elite Care is a good idea. When Should I Visit The ER? Furthermore, if the pain occurred because of an injury, seek emergent medical as well. Its important to have your back pain scanned and X-rayed to rule out … [Read more...] about Back Pain Emergencies
