Strep throat
A sore throat, headache and fever also could indicate strep throat, which is a bacterial infection. A shot of Bicillin (a form of penicillin) can effectively treat strep throat pretty quickly, says Dr. Jimmy Hoppers. The Bicillin stays in your system several weeks because it is in a form your kidneys cannot excrete.
Urgent care clinic open 7 days a week
Physicians Quality Care, an urgent care clinic opened by Dr. Jimmy and Dr. Melanie Hoppers, is at 2075 Pleasant Plains Extended in The Columns. The clinic specializes in walk-in, acute care.
It is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information or to call ahead, phone 731-984-8400 or visit www.physiciansqualitycare.com.
For more information on the clinic...
Other stories with our doctors
Yes, those body aches could be the flu
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| Dr. Jimmy Hoppers examines patient Kayla Rowhling. |
Yes, you could have the flu, says Dr. Jimmy Hoppers, an urgent care physician with Physicians Quality Care in Jackson. “The flu typically presents itself with a sudden onset,” he explained, with symptoms that are more severe than a cold or other upper respiratory problems.
If you think you may have the flu, your fastest road to recovery is to see your doctor as soon as possible, Dr. Hoppers says. You have a 24 to 48-hour window to get prescription medicine from your physician to effectively lessen the effects of the flu.
Tamiflu, for example, is an antiviral prescription drug that attacks the virus causing the flu. Taken early enough, he explained, it can shorten the duration of the flu, lessen the symptoms and help prevent complications.
Other problems, like strep throat, a sinus infection or even a bad cold, can mimic the flu, but each is treated differently, he says. “If you think you may have the flu, you’ll need to see a doctor before getting a prescription.”
Like other viruses, the flu can be highly contagious. It is spread through droplets as you cough and sneeze, he adds. “It typically lasts a week, though that depends on the individual and how quickly you started the medicine.”
The biggest complication with the flu is pneumonia, Dr. Hoppers says. “The flu especially is dangerous if you are elderly or have a chronic disease like asthma or diabetes. You don’t have as much reserve.”
Too many people don’t take the shot because of misconceptions, he explained, as he went over a few of those misconceptions.
• Misconception 1: Since the flu shot only lasts a short time, it’s useless getting a flu shot now. Though it’s recommended to get the flu shot in early fall before flu season typically begins, it’s never too late in the season to get one, says Dr. Hoppers. The shot takes about two weeks to be effective, he adds, and its effectiveness can last up to a year.
• Misconception 2: The flu shot can give you the flu. It cannot; the flu shot does not have live virus in it.
• Misconception 3: You need a booster shot for the flu shot to really work. No, that is not true.
• Misconception 4: If you are pregnant, you should not have the shot. The opposite is true, says Dr. Hoppers; you should absolutely have the shot if you are pregnant.
It is true, however, that you can still get the flu even if you had the flu shot, he adds. “The flu shot’s main intent is to prevent such a severe case that it can kill you. The nice side effect is that it does prevent the flu in many cases. And, if you get the flu, the onset won’t be as bad, and you’ll have a milder case.”
• Don’t smoke and avoid cigarette smoke.
• Wipe rather than stir up house dust.
• Avoid cats. (It’s the dried saliva from cat grooming that is the allergen, he says.)
From over-the-counter antihistamines to getting rid of the cat, from cold-relief medicines to washing your hands frequently to stop the spread of germs, you can take many steps yourself to make you feel better.
“However,” says Dr. Warren, “when your symptoms worsen or simply won’t go away, it’s probably time to call your doctor.”