This time of year can be daunting. We are in the midst of flu season, and new strains of Covid-19 are being identified. So what should you do if you get sick?

According to the CDC, most people with flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.
If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are in a higher-risk group, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider (doctor, physician assistant, etc.).
Certain people are at increased risk of serious flu-related complications (including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant people, and people with certain medical conditions). If you are in a higher-risk group and develop flu symptoms, it’s best for you to contact your doctor early in your illness. Remind them about your higher-risk status for flu. CDC recommends that people at higher risk for complications should get antiviral treatment as early as possible, because benefit is greatest if treatment is started within 2 days after illness onset.
Do I need to go to the emergency room if I am only a little sick?No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill.
If you have emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at higher risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice.


What are emergency warning signs of flu?
​People experiencing any of these warning signs should obtain medical care right away.

In children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• Ribs pulling in with each breath
• Chest pain
• Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
• Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
• Not alert or interacting when awake
• Seizures
• Fever above 104°F
• In children less than 12 weeks, any fever
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

In adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
• Seizures
• Not urinating
• Severe muscle pain
• Severe weakness or unsteadiness
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

This and additional information can be found at CDC.GOV.
​Or follow the link: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/takingcare.htm

By Dr. Richard G. Berry MD, FACP

A healthy immune system is one of the ways we can protect ourselves against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Now It cannot prevent you from getting infected, but a strengthened immune system, especially in an individual that has not as yet been immunized, helps defend yourself from disease causing invaders.
A Harvard study recently showed that apart from not smoking or drinking alcohol, these three habits will increase your immune response to invaders. They are;
1. A Vegetarian diet
2. Exercise
3. Decreasing stress.

A strong immune system will not only help to protect us from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it will also help us live a more balanced life.

June is Men’s Health Month. On average, men die five years younger than women, and die at higher rates from nine of the top 10 causes of death. Men are also less likely than women to be insured. All of this impacts their ability to be involved fathers, supportive partners, and engaged community members.
But there are quite a few things we can do to help dad as Father’s Day nears—and even more that all of us can do to help men all year. 

• Encourage him to get a physical. Most of the factors that contribute to men’s shorter, less healthy lives are preventable. And that prevention starts with seeing a healthcare provider on a regular basis. Adult men in the United States visit primary care providers at lower rates than adult women. Establishing baselines for factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and PSA (a screening test for prostate cancer risk)—and monitoring how they change over time—will enable the provider to catch potentially dangerous conditions early, when they’re still treatable. You can download a helpful chart of recommended screenings at www.healthfinder.gov.
• Encourage him to get physical. The benefits of physical activity on health outcomes are extensive, and many people find it difficult to get motivated for physical activity on their own. Rather than simply telling your dad or husband to exercise and then hoping that he will, do it with him. Join a recreation league at your local community center, sign up for group personal training sessions to get fit together, or simply make a routine out of regular walks. Simple, yes, but not always easy.
• Let him know you care. One reason men disregard their own health is that they’re too busy taking care of everyone else. What they don’t realize, however, is that if they die early, they’ll be hurting the very people they’ve worked so hard to protect. So remind him that you and your other family members love him and need him to be alive and healthy for as long as possible.

article by: Men's Health Network

To ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff, Signet Healthcare is offering two options to receive treatment, these are CURBSIDE MEDICAL VISITS & VIRTUAL MEDICINE. 

​Here's how you can access these options: 

CURBSIDE MEDICAL VISITS

• make an appointment for your visit
• before your visit, and if you are able, check your blood pressure, temperature, and/or blood sugar (if you are diabetic) and document your numbers
• pull into the signet healthcare pc parking lot at your appointment time
• stay in your car
• a member of the Signet staff will come to your car conduct your medical visit

after your curbside visit, any passed due balances may be paid in person or online.
also, please note that there will be no restroom access given.


VIRTUAL MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

• call (910) 642-0300 ext. 3 to reserve a time slot for an appointment
• you will be called for your appointment

due to the high number of appointments, time slots may vary. We ask that you be patient with us as we aim to give the best care to our patients.
please note that video appointments are ONLY available through FACETIME with apple products OR FACEBOOK MESSENGER VIDEO CHAT

Lecturer:
Dr. Richard Berry

Where:
Premier Living and Rehab Center
106 Cameron St.
Lake Waccamaw, NC
​28450

When:
2:30 pm
June, 28th 2019