Health Library

Spring is a season of rejuvenation and renewal, with warmer weather, longer days, and the blossoming return of flowers and trees. As nature blooms around us, its release of pollen to fertilize other plants causes the dreaded “allergy season.”

Your child's ongoing cough can be a symptom of a wide range of illnesses.Whether it's simple or more serious, urgent care can often help get your child the treatment they need.

It’s happened to all of us – you woke up with a dry, scratchy throat that’s getting worse by the minute. In that moment, it’s difficult to know whether it’s a sore throat that will go away on its own or something more.

There are a couple of approaches to treating the flu. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, you may take one of two routes against the virus. 

From picking your little monster’s costume to mindful yard decor, we each play a part in this holiday’s safety. Let’s review a quick refresher on the best practices for a happy Halloween.

Right now, the biggest step you can take is to get your Influenza vaccine. To help you feel more prepared, let’s review some of the most frequently asked questions about the common flu vaccine.

Overexposure to the sun, especially without any protection, can lead to several issues: sunburn, skin spots, “leathery skin,” wrinkles, eye damage, and skin cancer. Your susceptibility to this type of damage reduces if you take time to prepare before spending extended amounts of time outdoors. Where should you start?

Bug bites seem like an inevitable part of the summer outdoors. Whether you’re going on a family adventure in the woods or trying to have a relaxing day by the pool, the bugs always find a way to be a part of it! As common as bug bites may be, there are ways to reduce their effects and overall likelihood. Here’s how to enjoy your summer with fewer bites.

Outdoor adventure awaits this time of year. With adventure comes old adversaries: poison ivy, oak, and sumac. Do you know how to identify these poisonous plants? Stay safe this season and learn how to identify different poisonous plants, as well as what to expect should you come in contact and how to treat their rashes.

There’s a lot of fun to be had in the sun – as long as you stay cautious of its heat. Do your research, stay prepared, and avoid any unnecessary illnesses due to sun overexposure and overheating. Not sure where to start? Here are 4 tips for helping you stay cool this summer.

Temperatures are climbing to their yearly highs with the summer months approaching, and you need to be well prepared for the issues that may arise from exposure to high heat. One of the most common, easily avoidable conditions caused by high temperatures is heatstroke. There are several key indicators that will help determine whether someone is suffering from heatstroke.

Summer is here, but with all the fun also comes the potential for dangerously high temperatures. Between increased outdoor time, exertion, and the highest temps we see all year, dehydration is a real risk that poses real danger. Getting hydrated and staying hydrated is the key to keeping you healthy this summer so you can soak up all the fun.

Over the past 80 years, antibiotics have transformed our ability to treat bacterial infections, but prescribing antibiotics when they are not needed has led to bacterial resistance. Interestingly, it’s not your body that becomes resistant to the antibiotic, but the bacteria, which means the bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. This means that every time a person takes an antibiotic, sensitive bacteria may be killed, but the stronger bacteria are left to grow and multiply.

Paleolithic diet? Low fat? Atkins? Mediterranean? Confused? You are not alone. There are many diets out there, some are traditionally associated with “fads”, some have been endorsed by the FDA, and some are science / study based (at least in part). Let’s sort through some of the evidence and review 3 of the main diet types: Low Fat, Mediterranean, and Low Carbohydrate.

Are you feeling ill and wondering when to come in to be seen? You may not be alone with these concerns. It’s not always easy to determine the difference between a viral upper respiratory infection, Influenza or other respiratory infections like Pneumonia. Beaumont Urgent Care can help distinguish between the many different causes and recommend treatment.

If you or a loved one play sports, it is vital to understand what a concussion is, how it presents, and what to do about it, as millions of Americans will suffer a concussion every year. This article will go into detail regarding the symptoms of concussion and discuss “red flag” symptoms to watch out for.

It’s true that COVID-19 infection symptoms are similar to symptoms of a sinus infection. But it’s important to remember that although there are overlapping symptoms in these conditions, there are subtle differences.

Allergic drug reactions can happen with both prescription and over the counter medications. Recognizing the symptoms and causes of allergic reactions can be difficult, but is essential to keeping you and your family members healthy. This article will review the symptoms, evaluation and treatment options for common allergic drug reactions.

The “Vomiting Bug” is going around. If you’ve been having episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, chances are it is related to Norovirus. It is one of the leading causes of vomiting and diarrhea in the U.S. and is the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”) worldwide.

Flu season is upon us. If you’ve ever had influenza – think high fever, body aches, cough and difficulty breathing – it’s something you want to avoid. Getting the flu vaccine is your best defense against contracting or spreading the flu.

Many airports and event venues in the U.S are now requiring a negative COVID test for entry. It’s important to review the testing requirements of your specific destination as rules differ across countries, states and private businesses.

Swallowing razor blades or knives”, “not my usual sore throat”, “horrible sore throat and no other symptoms” – these are all things that we hear when patients describe their symptoms of Strep Throat. Strep Throat is an abbreviation for Streptococcal Pharyngitis, an infection caused by a specific bacteria known as Group A Streptococcus Pyogenes. Untreated Strep Throat can cause Rheumatic Fever, a serious inflammatory disease which can lead to problems with the heart, joints, brain, and skin. One of the most feared complications of Rheumatic Fever is damage to the heart’s valves which could require valve replacement or repair. Timely diagnosis and treatment with an antibiotic such as Amoxicillin or Penicillin can greatly reduce the chances of Rheumatic Fever. Other complications of Strep Throat include kidney problems (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis), scarlet fever (a rough, sandpapery, rash on the trunk), and PANDA syndrome which are neurologic and psychiatric problems which can develop after a strep infection.

What kind of COVID-19 tests are available? There are two types of diagnostic tests for COVID-19: Molecular (PCR) and antigen (rapid). Both require a nasal swab for a sample, but how they go about testing for the virus are different.

Two common summer illnesses are Swimmer’s Ear and Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy is a skin disorder caused by contact with Toxicodendron radicans, a poisonous plant common in the Southeast. The offending agent in poison ivy is urushiol, found in the sap of these plants. About 70% of people are allergic to urushiol, and if you are one of these unlucky people and you come in contact with it, about 24 hours later, you will start itching and seeing the characteristic linear red lines, blisters, and red bumps where your body had contact with the plant. The rash itself is not contagious, including the fluid in any blisters.

Even with a list of symptoms to review, it may be hard to tell if you have bronchitis since it’s similar to many other illnesses. Learning more about the different types of bronchitis and its specifics will help you with diagnosis and treatment.

The risk of heat related illness increases as the summer gets hotter and kids start participating in sports tryouts. The combination of bulky, heat-trapping athletic equipment, hot and humid weather, and inadequate fluid intake combine to put our athletes at risk. It is crucial that we educate ourselves and our family members in recognizing the early warning signs of heat related illness.

With surges of COVID-19 still a concern, symptom similarities between allergies and the virus can cause feelings of uncertainty and stress. Knowing the differences between COVID and allergy symptoms is key to peace of mind and keeping you and others safe this spring allergy season.