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FastMed Urgent Care issues Norovirus advisory in North Carolina

Largest NC Urgent Care Encourages Education and Prevention Steps

September 23, 2015 – Clayton, NC:  FastMed Urgent Care, the largest urgent care network in North Carolina and the fastest-growing in the U.S., has issued a Norovirus advisory to alert residents on the risks of the virus, provide education and highlight prevention tips as North Carolina moves into the 2015 school season.

This time last year, FastMed Urgent Care clinics across North Carolina treated students and other residents with the Norovirus.  This year in August and September, FastMed Urgent Care clinics have treated a number of children from schools in Union County and Person County, North Carolina with the Norovirus. The Norovirus is a fast-spreading virus causing vomiting, nausea and diarrhea due to an inflamed stomach or intestine.  The Norovirus typically spreads through contaminated food or water, or by touching surfaces that have been touched by someone with the Norovirus.  Norovirus is the leading cause of illness and outbreaks from contaminated food in the United States.

Children in school are the most likely to get infected by Norovirus.  Day cares, schools and public areas create a close contact environment allowing surfaces that are frequently touched to become contaminated.  According to the CDC, about 70% of reported Norovirus outbreaks originate from contaminated food served by infected food workers.

“Prevention is the first line of defense from the Norovirus and continuing to teach your children good hygiene is central to that prevention,” said Sekhar Kommu, MD, National Chief Medical Officer for FastMed Urgent Care.  “Children diagnosed with Norovirus should be kept home to limit exposure to others, insure they remain properly hydrated with plenty of fluids and allow them to rest so their immune system can fight the virus.”

Treatment at your local FastMed Urgent Care may include an antiemetic or antidiarrheal medication to reduce vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.  The symptoms typically last about two to three days.  FastMed encourages North Carolina families to educate their children on Norovirus prevention including:

  • Teach your child germ etiquette and remind them frequently
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Disinfect surfaces (such as lunch boxes, lockers, desks and door knobs) frequently
  • Clean and sanitize kitchen utensils, counters and surfaces routinely
  • Avoid direct contact with those who are infected
  • Stay home if you have the Norovirus to prevent spreading it to others

Local schools should ensure food service workers:

  • Avoid preparing food for others while sick and for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop
  • Practice proper hand washing and avoid touching food with bare hands
  • Are regularly trained in food preparation safety practices

In the case of any medical emergency, parents should immediately call 911. For more information on the Norovirus and its symptoms visit https://www.fastmed.com/health-resources/how-to-protect-yourself-from-norovirus.  Other information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/norovirus/.

About FastMed Urgent Care:
FastMed Urgent Care is an owner and operator of urgent care facilities with locations throughout North Carolina and Arizona.  FastMed focuses on the delivery of non-appointment based medicine to the non-emergency patient market.  The urgent care centers are open 365 days a year and are staffed with experienced and licensed physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. FastMed clinics hold The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation in compliance with the Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory health care.  For more information, please visit www.fastmed.com.  FastMed is managed by an affiliated entity of one of the investment funds of the ABRY Partners.

About ABRY Partners:
Founded in 1989, ABRY Partners is one of the most experienced and successful media, communications, business and information services focused private equity investment firms in North America.  Since its founding, ABRY has completed over $42 billion of transactions, representing investments in over 450 properties.  The firm is currently managing over $4.3 billion of total capital and investing out of a $1.9 billion private equity fund, $950 million senior equity fund and a $1.5 billion senior debt fund.

Contact:
Reuel Heyden
Sr. Dir. of Communications | Marketing
FastMed Urgent Care
Phone: 919.550.0821×1016
Email: r.heyden@fastmed.com

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