Monthly E-Newsletter

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It’s that time of year again: Pine pollen, grass pollen, molds and many other potent allergens are signaling the start of spring in Metropolitan Atlanta. Whether you live or work inside or outside of the perimeter, you have likely noticed the decline in cold days and flu symptoms as we welcome warmer weather and clearer skies. We are all eager to get outdoors, work in the garden, and play on the ball fields.

In anticipation of the upcoming flu season, Piedmont Urgent Care by WellStreet locations have the flu vaccine in stock and available to help protect you and your family!! We are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with convenient weekend and night hours to help you feel better. The flu vaccine provided is the quadrivalent and is approved for children >4 years old and for all adults.

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 that time of year again when student athletes all over Atlanta are scrambling to get their “sport’s physical”, which is a requirement to be eligible for practice and game participation. Like most other parents, I have waited until the last minute to obtain this seemingly low priority “clearance” for my child who is otherwise healthy. I have no concerns, so why do I have to go through this ritual every year? What does this health screen look for anyway, and why is it important and relevant to me and my child?

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.