Can Strep Throat Go Away on Its Own? Strep throat is a notoriously miserable illness that can cause severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, tender lymph nodes, headaches, and a general feeling of “blah.” If you or your child is experiencing symptoms of strep throat, you may be wondering if at-home remedies can quell this illness and spare you a trip
The Fast Track Blog
What is the Most Common Cause of Pink Eye?
What is the Most Common Cause of Pink Eye? Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is a common condition that can develop in children and adults. It occurs when the conjunctiva—the transparent membrane that covers the white of the eyeball and lines the eyelid—becomes inflamed or infected, resulting in redness and uncomfortable itchiness in one or both eyes. So, what’s to blame for
How Common is the Flu?
How Common is the Flu? The flu—or influenza—is a highly contagious viral infection that impacts millions of Americans every year during flu season, which typically runs from October to March. According the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), between 9.3 million and 45 million people in the United States have become sick with the flu each year since
Where Can I Get a Flu Shot in Maryland?
Where Can I Get a Flu Shot in Maryland? Many physician’s offices, pharmacies, and urgent care clinics offer flu shots just before and during flu season, which typically runs from October through March and peaks between December and February. If you live in Montgomery County, Maryland, and would like to be vaccinated against the flu, an excellent place to turn
What Does a Sports Physical Consist Of?
What Does a Sports Physical Consist Of? If your child is due for a sports physical, you may be wondering what exactly this exam will consist of. For example, how does it differ from an annual physical, and why is it necessary? Let’s take a closer look at what happens during a sports physical. First, your child’s clinician will review
The Importance of STD Testing
STD Testing: Why Is It Important? Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing should be a regular part of your healthcare routine if you are sexually active. This is due in part to the asymptomatic nature of many STDs (also referred to as sexually transmitted infections). Often, STDs don’t cause noticeable symptoms in their initial stages—or ever! The only way to
Is it Allergies or COVID-19?
Is it Allergies or COVID-19? You’re enjoying the balmy, late-spring weather when boom, it hits—your throat is a little scratchy, your head feels off, and your nose starts to run at an alarming rate. Is simple allergy symptoms, or is it COVID-19? Only a medical professional with COVID-19 testing capabilities can definitively answer this question. This is because COVID-19 symptoms
What Does a Nebulizer Treatment Do?
What Does a Nebulizer Treatment Do? A nebulizer is a small piece of medical equipment that covers a person’s mouth and nose. It turns liquid medicines into an ultra-fine mist that is easily inhaled. Nebulizer treatment may be appropriate for patients with respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as pediatric patients who have difficulty
How Early Can Coronavirus Antibodies Be Detected?
How Early Can Coronavirus Antibodies Be Detected? SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for the respiratory disease COVID-19, is a relatively new virus that researchers are learning more about every day. One of the many questions that’s currently being investigated is how early coronavirus antibodies can be detected in COVID-19 patients. First, a little background. An antibody is a special protein
Antigen vs. Antibody Testing
Antigen vs. Antibody Testing: What’s the Difference? You’ve likely expanded your vocabulary over this past year—for example, you may have learned the definitions of quarantine and incubation, and you probably found out where your nasopharyngeal cavity is. But, do you know the difference between COVID-19 antigen and antibody testing? Let’s take a closer look. Antibody Testing COVID-19 antibody testing—or serology
