CDC Recommending Flu Vaccine; Available At All 38 FastMed Locations
Clayton, NC – January 15, 2014 – FastMed Urgent Care, the largest urgent care organization in North Carolina, reports a dramatic uptick in patient volume associated with the flu and flu related illness. FastMed encourages residents to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation to get the flu vaccine, which is still available at all 38 FastMed locations throughout the state.
FastMed also recommends a rapid nasal swab flu test for those who suspect they have the flu. This noninvasive nasal swab can be done at any FastMed Urgent Care, takes 15 minutes to process and if positive allows FastMed health care providers to prescribe the correct and immediate treatment, speed recovery and reduce the spread of the flu outbreak.
North Carolina State health officials report the death toll from the seasonal flu outbreak has risen to 21 individuals, 19 of those being very young and middle aged adults who also had underlying medical conditions. There have been significant increases in flu activity nationwide, according to the January 10 report from the CDC, with 35 states including North Carolina reporting widespread flu activity. That’s up from 25 states the previous week.
“In the past few of weeks, we have begun to see a significant increase in the number of lab-confirmed influenza cases, mainly influenza A (H1N1) at FastMed clinics across our state, specifically the Raleigh-Durham area. Charlotte and the Piedmont Triad communities are also seeing a high number of diagnosed flu cases,” said Melvin G. Lee, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for FastMed Urgent Care in North Carolina. “The best action you can take is to get your flu shot. If you think you have the flu, come in for a rapid test and receive treatment if you are diagnosed.”
The flu is highly contagious and the best action everyone can and should take is to have each family member receive their vaccination. If you think you have the flu, early detection and antiviral treatment can shorten the duration of symptoms, shorten the duration of potential hospitalization, and reduce the risk of complications and deaths from the flu.
H1N1, the main circulating strain, is the type responsible for the global flu pandemic of 2009-2010. Flu season typically peaks during January and February but can last as late as May.
There are a number of strategies to help stop the spread of the flu virus and help speed recovery. Visit www.fastmed.com/flu for more information or to find your nearest FastMed Urgent Care location.
About FastMed Urgent Care:
FastMed Urgent Care is a North Carolina-based 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. For more information, please visit www.fastmed.com. FastMed is managed by an affiliated entity of one of the investment funds of the Comvest Group.
About the Comvest Group:
The Comvest Group, with $1.2 billion of assets under management, provides flexible financing solutions to lower middle-market companies through its equity and debt funds, often meeting time-critical and complex funding requirements. The firm includes seasoned, senior level operating executives who partner with managers and owners of companies to operationally improve businesses and create long-term value. Since 2000, Comvest has invested more than $1.5 billion of capital in over 105 public and private companies. For more information, please visit www.comvest.com.
Contact:
Reuel Heyden | Sr. Dir. of Marketing & Community Relations
FastMed Urgent Care
Phone: 919.550.0821×1016
Email: r.heyden@fastmed.com