MD Now® Urgent Care Helps South Floridians Face Possible Epidemics of Two Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
West Palm Beach, FL (PRWEB) June 10, 2014 -- MD Now® Urgent Care, the leading urgent care provider in South Florida, is responding to potential epidemics of two mosquito-borne illnesses, dengue fever and chikungunya, by offering blood testing proven to detect the viruses and providing symptomatic treatment for the illnesses at their state-of-their-art urgent care centers located throughout South Florida. There is no vaccine for these two illnesses, so MD Now is emphasizing prevention while providing the testing and treatment to help the community take control of its health.
In 2013, there were 24 cases of dengue fever reported in South Florida. This year, The Florida Department of Health has already confirmed 24 cases of dengue throughout the state. Dengue is a type of fever that appears as a painful, throbbing, flu-like illness and makes one’s bones feel brittle. The fever can last for up to three weeks. Repeat sufferers can start to hemorrhage from the nose and mouth due to the return of the virus.
Residents are facing another threat in the form of the chikungunya mosquito-borne illness. Chikungunya is a more lethal type of virus that is also transmitted through mosquito bites and is spreading very rapidly. Its primary symptoms are fever and joint pain, but other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, and rash.
Travelers to the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia, and islands in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific where these viruses are present are especially at risk. It is believed that the viruses were originally brought to South Florida by people bitten by infected mosquitoes during their travels to these areas, who then transmitted the virus when bitten by uninfected Florida mosquitoes. Now, the cycle is continuing as newly infected Florida mosquitoes spread the viruses throughout the community.
MD Now encourages anyone who thinks they may be infected to visit one of their locations for testing and possible treatment. MD Now offers blood testing proven to confirm the presence of dengue fever or chikungunya in the system for both first-time and repeat sufferers. If either virus is detected, MD Now’s physicians can provide symptomatic treatment to specifically address pain.
Since there is no vaccine for either virus, MD Now is promoting prevention by urging South Florida residents to protect themselves from these mosquito-borne illnesses in the following ways:
• Cover exposed skin by wearing hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.
• Use an insect repellent with higher percentages of active ingredients for longer protection.
• Always follow the product’s package directions and reapply as directed.
• If also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent afterward.
• Choose outdoor wear and gear that has been pre-treated with a mosquito-repellent, or treat items yourself by carefully following product instructions.
• If you exhibit symptoms of Dengue or chikungunya and believe you may be infected, go to the nearest MD Now Urgent Care Center for testing and treatment.
About MD Now Urgent Care Centers
MD Now® Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers is the leading provider of fast and affordable urgent care to adults and children in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Our state-of-the-art, walk-in medical centers are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to deliver an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. No appointment is necessary and major insurance plans are accepted. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of urgent care services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, our multiple locations offer digital x-rays, EKG, ultrasounds, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, vaccines, physical therapy, occupational medicine, travel medicine and selected primary care services. Discover medical care that treats you to the care you need now at MD Now. Call: 888-MDNow-911, online: http://www.MyMDNow.com.
MD Now Urgent Care Contact
Peter Lamelas, MD, MBA, FACEP
561-420-8555
info(at)mymdnow(dot)com
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Peter Lamelas, MD, MBA, FACEP, MD Now Urgent Care Walk In Medical Centers, http://www.MyMDNow.com, (561) 420-8555, [email protected]
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