When Not To Visit Urgent Care Centers:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Sudden blurred vision
- Numbness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side
- Weakness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking
- Sudden, severe headache
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
- Severe burns
For any of these potentially serious problems, you should call 911. Do not delay in seeking treatment for a serious medical situation, as every minute could be most important.
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How Will I Get My Results
Patients who get tested for COVID-19 at Middlesex Health Urgent Care will be notified of their results through their MyChart accounts. If you do not have a MyChart account, you can learn more and create one here.
If your COVID-19 test result is positive, you will be contacted by phone during normal business hours.
What Kind Of Tests Are Done To Assess If You Have Lyme Disease
A number of factors must be taken into consideration in assessing a person who may have been infected with Lyme disease. First, one should take note of the signs and symptoms present in the patient that is related to Lyme disease. Also in consideration is the exposure to infected ticks and other illnesses present that may have similar symptoms. A two-step testing process is required when getting laboratory tests for Lyme disease. Using a blood sample, the patient will be tested and if found with negative results, the second step can be done without. However, if the patient is found to have positive or indeterminate laboratory results, a second testing is required. To determine if the patient has Lyme disease, the first and second test must concur with a positive or equivocal test result. Know if you are infected with Lyme disease by scheduling an appointment with Diligent Urgent Care today.
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Borrelia Species Pcr Results
Borrelia species DNA may occasionally be detected in the blood by PCR, but a negative PCR test is of no value in excluding localised Lyme disease.
The overall sensitivity of PCR on a skin biopsy of an EM or ACA rash is around 50% and is limited by the chance of a single biopsy hitting a site with a significant number of organisms.
In neurological Lyme disease involving the CNS, up to 10% of cases may be PCR positive on a CSF sample a negative PCR result does not exclude the diagnosis.
Synovial fluid may be positive by PCR in up to 50% of cases. A negative result does not exclude the diagnosis.
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Looking For Fast And Affordable Healthcare Options Try Urgent Care Instead Of Minute Clinics
A number of pharmacies and superstores across the country now offer walk-in minute clinics to their visitors, such as CVSs Minute Clinic. Between Emergency Rooms, Minute Clinics, Primary Care Centers, and Urgent Care Centers, its easy to confuse the difference between these various medical care destinations. At AFC Urgent Care Beverly, weve striven to offer the most comprehensive and highest quality medical services since day one. Better than most minute clinics in our area!
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What Can I Do To Lower My Chances Of Getting Lyme Disease Or Any Other Disease From Ticks
Prevention begins with you! Take steps to reduce your chances of being bitten by any tick. Ticks are most active during warm weather, generally late spring through fall. However, ticks can be out any time that temperatures are above freezing. Ticks cling to vegetation and are most numerous in brushy, wooded or grassy habitats. When you are outside in an area likely to have ticks , follow these simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones:
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What Abnormal Results Mean
A positive ELISA result is abnormal. This means antibodies were seen in your blood sample. But, this does not confirm a diagnosis of Lyme disease. A positive ELISA result must be followed up with a Western blot test. Only a positive Western blot test can confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
For many people, the ELISA test remains positive, even after they have been treated for Lyme disease and no longer have symptoms.
A positive ELISA test may also occur with certain diseases not related to Lyme disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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High Endemicity Screening Of A Child
A healthy child from an area of high endemicity receives an annual physical. The mother notes that the child enjoys playing in the backyard, which is adjacent to a heavily wooded area.
Serologic testing should not be ordered because the child is asymptomatic. A false-positive test result would expose the child unnecessarily to the risks of treatment. In this scenario, the probability that a positive test represents true infection is less than 25 percent.
The Possibility Of Never Discovering Lyme
A female hunter had Lyme disease that was undiagnosed for three years. Michelle Kelly has been all over the news in Australia, telling her hellish tales about the tick disease she had for a long time. Although it is possible to not discover Lyme disease for a long time, it will feel like hell and will give you awful consequences. Be sure to get checked whenever you go to the woods during these times. If you see just a slightest hint of tick bites, be sure to find urgent care.
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Serving Lynn Peabody & Salem For Urgent Care Needs
We go beyond broken bones and x-rays, offering everything from flu shots, physicals and COVID & STD Testing. Were dedicated to quality care and patient satisfaction, so that you can live life uninterrupted. Best of all, you can walk into AFC Urgent Care to see a doctor on your own schedule.
Our healthcare providers offer extended weekday hours to patients in and around Peabody, Salem, Lynn, Marblehead and Clifton. Were also open on the weekend. Theres no need to make an appointment walk-ins are always welcome. A visit to AFC is only a fraction of the cost of an emergency room trip, making it the smart alternative to the ER in non-life-threatening situations.
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Lyme Disease: What It Is And How You Can Treat It
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an advice about ticks and how people should not let ticks get them sick. This warning was issued because we are in the tick months, which are June and July. This is the month when the symptoms of Lyme disease show up, so people who frequent the woods should be aware and careful. Experts from the Office advise people to dress properly when going to the woods and to check for ticks after the trip. They also advise to put repellant on clothes, shoes, pants and socks rather than just putting repellant on skin. These are very important tips to avoid looking for urgent care near me.
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Everything You Need To Know About Tick Bites And Lyme Disease
The Center for Disease Control estimates that 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease every year, with rates expected to climb in 2021 due in part to climate change.
Since tick bites and Lyme Disease are on the rise, we want to make sure our patients have as much information as possible about this common, potentially serious condition.
What If Lyme Disease Goes Untreated
If Lyme disease goes untreated, it can affect other systems in the body. According to the , common symptoms of later stage Lyme disease include:
- severe headaches and neck stiffness
- additional erythema migrans rashes on other areas of the body
- facial palsy, which is a loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face
- arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees and other large joints
- intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
- heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
- episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
- inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
- nerve pain
- shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
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Lyme Disease Cases Classified By Stage And Manifestation
We identified 7310 cases of Lyme disease between 2012 and 2016 that met inclusion criteria . Using diagnoses and narrative free text, we classified 4530 cases as early or disseminated stage. Of the classified cases, 70% were classified as early stage disease. Of the 1,359 disseminated cases, Lyme arthritis was the most common manifestation , followed by neurological manifestations , carditis , and secondary erythema migrans . Diagnoses classified as disseminated stage that did not meet criteria for arthritis, neurological effects, carditis, or secondary erythema migrans were classified as âother disseminatedâ manifestations . In a validation sample of 50 early and 50 disseminated cases, we found that the PPV of early stage disease was 92% and the PPV of disseminated stage Lyme disease was 88% . Lyme disease cases were distributed across the study area in central and northeastern Pennsylvania .
Spatial distribution of Lyme disease cases classified as early and disseminated stages of Lyme disease
Where To Check For Ticks
Ticks prefer the warm moist areas of the body due to the ample blood supply in those areas.
If you or your child have been playing outdoors in the garden or in a woodsy area, make sure to check the armpits, legs, neck, and hair for signs of a tick bite.
- Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care in Arkansas, Springfield, St. Louis & Oklahoma
- Novant Health-GoHealth Urgent Care in North Carolina
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What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Lyme Disease
Antibiotics are the only proven treatment for Lyme disease. Typically, the sooner treatment begins for a patient, the quicker and more complete recovery will be. Antibiotic treatment methods include:
- Oral antibiotics The standard for early-stage Lyme disease
- Intravenous antibiotics These are used when the disease is affecting the central nervous system this treatment is very effective in eliminating the infection, but there may be some side effects of the treatment, like a lower white blood cell count, mild to severe diarrhea, or colonization/infection with other antibiotic-resistant organisms
We can provide diagnosis and/or treatment here at Immediate Care of Oklahoma. Dont hesitate to come see us, as the sooner the disease is addressed, the better your recovery will be, and the lower your chance will be of having continuing, chronic complications. Our clinic is available to you from Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday Sunday 8am to 8pm, and walk-ins are no problem for us!
Serology And Dna Testing
There are two main types of Lyme testing. The first one tests the bodys reaction to the bacteria. You can do this by detecting whether antibodies are being created against that particular microbe. Secondly, you can check for the presence particles of the DNA of the bacteria.
There are other types of testing available, but the above are the two main types, namely, serology or antibody testing and, DNA or PCR testing.
Both these types of tests are designed to detect acute Lyme disease.
In the initial stages of infection, the bacteria is still in the blood, and it is relatively easy to find it. Later on however when the bacteria have moved away from the blood and invaded the tissue, then it becomes harder to detect.
This latter scenario highlights one of the problems with testing for Lyme in that many people who are initially infected with Lyme often do not have an acute reaction.
Many people begin to exhibit symptoms much later after their immune system begins to deteriorate, and by then the bacteria is deeply embedded in tissue.
So whether you are going to find the bacteria depends on firstly if the concentration of microbes in tissue is high enough to give a reaction and secondly if the immune system is reacting to it.
In acute Lyme, research shows that current testing has a pickup rate of 95%. On the flip side, in chronic Lyme, scientists do not know the pickup rate. They do not know if it a 30% pickup rate or 80%.
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Diagnosis & Treatment Of Lyme Disease
The current initial test is a blood test that checks for antibodies formed in reaction to the disease. This is called the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. This test sometimes produces a false positive in the first few weeks. The Western blot test is typically done to confirm the diagnosis.
It can be especially difficult to detect Lyme disease in the first month of infection, which is why its essential to make a note of all of your symptoms before you visit our North Haven, CT clinic. If the disease is caught in the early stage of development, then its more likely to be treated effectively. If the disease isnt treated as soon as possible then it can cause additional problems. Some of these can be irreversible.
Protect Yourself From Tick Bites
- Avoid Wooded Areas and High Grass
- Walk in Center of Trails
- Wear long sleeves and pants when working with brush or in other common area of ticks
- Use repellents that contain 20-30% DEET
- Use products that contain 0.5% permethrin on clothing.
- Examine clothes, backpacks and pets after coming back from any outdoor activity
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Why Choosephysicianone Urgent Care
Our vision is to be the first choice in urgent care by delivering an exceptional experience to every patient, every time.
Were proud to offer high-quality urgent care with minimal wait times, and we take great pride in making the lives of local families a bit easier. We know you expectand deservefast and attentive medical attention, and we are committed to meeting and exceeding your expectations. Along with efficient health care services, were pleased to offer a friendly smile, a caring touch, a listening ear, and a kind word. You can feel confident entrusting your health and wellness to our experienced team of medical providers, who will help you feel better, faster.
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The Blood Tests Can Have False Positives
The blood tests can trigger false positives, suggesting that you have the disease when you really dont. This can happen in up to one out of four tests.
This can lead to unnecessary treatment with antibiotics. These drugs are usually safe, but they sometimes cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. In rare cases, they can even cause dangerous allergic reactions.
Using too many antibiotics can also lead to the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. This means that bacteria in your body may get stronger and more difficult to treat with antibiotics in the future.
A false positive can also lead to more unneeded blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, and doctor visits.
If you have a false positive, you may not get treated for the real cause of your pain. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes joint pain. It can lead to permanent and severe joint damage if you do not start taking the right medicines as early as possible.
Why Early Lyme Disease Treatment Is So Important
Delaying treatment for Lyme disease can be dangerous to your health. When Lyme disease is diagnosed and treatedtypically with antibioticsin its early stages, most patients experience a full recovery. But if the disease is not caught early, it can lead to serious medical complications, including heart conditions, joint swelling, extreme fatigue, neuropsychiatric symptoms such as trouble with mood control and sensory processing, and cognitive deficits such as impaired fine motor control and poor memory.
This is why understanding the difference between Lyme disease and COVID-19 is so vital. If you are experiencing nonspecific symptoms, you may delay treatment for weeks, potentially causing long-term damage to your health.
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Getting Checked For Lyme
If youve recently removed a tick, or a ring-like rash suddenly pops up, you are at risk for Lyme disease. DOCS Urgent Care of Bethel is happy to treat you right away and help keep you protected in the future, before the disease progresses. Below is a list of common symptoms of a tick bite. If youve experienced any of the listed symptoms after being exposed to tickets, head on over to DOCS Urgent Care of Bethel.
Some Symptoms of a Tick Bite Will Include:
- Fever/Chills
- Rash
What Are The Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
Early stage : The most common early symptom is a rash where the tick was attached. It often, but not always, starts as a small red area that spreads outward, clearing up in the center so it looks like a donut. Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, stiff neck, sore and aching muscles and joints, fatigue and swollen glands may also occur. Even though these symptoms may go away by themselves, without medical treatment, some people will get the rash again in other places on their bodies, and many will experience more serious problems. Treatment during the early stage prevents later, more serious problems.
Later stages : If untreated, people with Lyme disease can develop late-stage symptoms even if they never had a rash. The joints, nervous system and heart are most commonly affected.
- About 60% of people with untreated Lyme disease get arthritis in their knees, elbows and/or wrists. The arthritis can move from joint to joint and become chronic.
- Many people who dont get treatment develop nervous system problems. These problems include meningitis , facial weakness or other problems with nerves of the head, and weakness or pain in the hands, arms, feet and/or legs. These symptoms can last for months, often shifting between mild and severe.
- The heart also can be affected in Lyme disease, with slowing down of the heart rate and fainting. The effect on the heart can be early or late.
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