MONROE - An increase in patients that is expected to continue through March has hit Monroe Clinic-FastCare providers with patients seeking treatment for colds, sore throats and the flu.
FastCare, located in Monroe's ShopKo on the 400th block of 8th Street, saw 923 patients last month, FastCare Coach Stacey Deneen said. Care providers generally see an increase in patients each year, and typically see 600 to 800 people monthly within that period. They anticipate similar number through next month.
"We are busy, but that's normal for this time of year," Deneen said. "We consistently see an increase in patients from December through March."
Symptoms are typical of winter months, such as coughing and fevers. Practice director of branch services Tiffany Schofield said providers at FastCare have seen patients of all ages since consistently rising numbers began at the end of October. From age 1 to the elderly, Schofield said, the facility sees a number of patients when it opens at 8 a.m., again within the hour the school day ends with another surge following the end to a typical work day.
She added that the numbers keep growing.
"When the flu hits, obviously we're going to spike," Schofield said. "An influx of patients is normal anywhere from October to December. From January to March, we see high volumes. Our January numbers were higher than in 2015 by 100 patients."
During January, FastCare saw over 100 more patients during one influx than any other time in its entire seven years of operation.
Despite the expected increase in patients, FastCare providers want to ensure people are treated well. Even if that sometimes means not doling out a medication.
"We're trying to do our due diligence," Schofield said. "If a patient hasn't yet experienced symptoms for five days, the illness could be bacterial or viral. Most of the time its viral. But until that time has passed, we just don't know. A low-grade fever and fatigue within five days are normal. If conditions worsen after that time, then we urge people to see a provider."
If someone is treated with antibiotics too early, Schofield said, the body could build up a tolerance to the medication. If the illness is viral, the antibiotics serve no purpose toward healing the patient. Research has shown that if a tolerance is created against antibiotics, the next time a patient becomes sick with a bacterial-based illness, the prescribed antibiotics may not help at all.
Advice on staying healthy, and recovering safely and quickly, includes rest and hydration. Monroe Clinic advises that in order to stay healthy, people should wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds, limit touching the face and cough directly into tissues.
FastCare, located in Monroe's ShopKo on the 400th block of 8th Street, saw 923 patients last month, FastCare Coach Stacey Deneen said. Care providers generally see an increase in patients each year, and typically see 600 to 800 people monthly within that period. They anticipate similar number through next month.
"We are busy, but that's normal for this time of year," Deneen said. "We consistently see an increase in patients from December through March."
Symptoms are typical of winter months, such as coughing and fevers. Practice director of branch services Tiffany Schofield said providers at FastCare have seen patients of all ages since consistently rising numbers began at the end of October. From age 1 to the elderly, Schofield said, the facility sees a number of patients when it opens at 8 a.m., again within the hour the school day ends with another surge following the end to a typical work day.
She added that the numbers keep growing.
"When the flu hits, obviously we're going to spike," Schofield said. "An influx of patients is normal anywhere from October to December. From January to March, we see high volumes. Our January numbers were higher than in 2015 by 100 patients."
During January, FastCare saw over 100 more patients during one influx than any other time in its entire seven years of operation.
Despite the expected increase in patients, FastCare providers want to ensure people are treated well. Even if that sometimes means not doling out a medication.
"We're trying to do our due diligence," Schofield said. "If a patient hasn't yet experienced symptoms for five days, the illness could be bacterial or viral. Most of the time its viral. But until that time has passed, we just don't know. A low-grade fever and fatigue within five days are normal. If conditions worsen after that time, then we urge people to see a provider."
If someone is treated with antibiotics too early, Schofield said, the body could build up a tolerance to the medication. If the illness is viral, the antibiotics serve no purpose toward healing the patient. Research has shown that if a tolerance is created against antibiotics, the next time a patient becomes sick with a bacterial-based illness, the prescribed antibiotics may not help at all.
Advice on staying healthy, and recovering safely and quickly, includes rest and hydration. Monroe Clinic advises that in order to stay healthy, people should wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds, limit touching the face and cough directly into tissues.