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Is it a Cold or Flu?

Q & A with Neil Padgett, M.D., MPH

Q:  How can I tell if I have a cold or the flu?

A:  While the common cold and flu can have similar symptoms, they are very different illnesses in terms of how long they last and how severe they are.

The first sign of a cold is often a sore throat. Symptoms that follow can include a runny nose, congestion or a cough. A cold usually lasts a few days to a week. Adults don’t often run a fever with a cold, but children may.

Flu symptoms are likely to come on suddenly and be more severe. Common signs of flu are a sore throat, fever, headache, muscle and body aches, congestion and cough. Some people get vomiting and diarrhea. While the flu can last a week or longer, it can also result in more serious illnesses like pneumonia, particularly in the elderly or very young.

Q: How can I treat a cold or flu?

A: First, get lots of rest and drink plenty of clear fluids — water, broth and sports drinks. Next, treat your symptoms with over-the-counter medications to ease fever and aches, congestion and coughs. For the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications such as Relenza® or Tamiflu®. They can make flu symptoms less severe and help you recover faster.

Q: Should I take antibiotics?

A: Antibiotics will not help because they fight bacterial infections, not viral illnesses like flu or the common cold. Taking an antibiotic will not make you feel better or help you get better faster.

Using antibiotics when you don’t need them contributes to a growing problem: antibiotic resistance. Due to over-use of antibiotics, some diseases that were once easily cured by antibiotics have become resistant to them. So, if you have a cold or flu, antibiotics are not a  treatment option.

Q:  When should I see a doctor?

A:  If you experience persistent coughing, fever, congestion, headache or painful swallowing (which may indicate strep throat), you should talk with your primary care provider. In general, if your symptoms aren’t getting better ‒ or start getting worse ─ call your doctor.

Q:  How can I prevent getting colds or the flu?

A:  Wash your hands often and avoid close contact with others who have a cold or flu.  A cold is contagious during the first three days, while a person with the flu can be contagious a day before feeling the symptoms and up to 5-7 days after getting sick.

The annual flu vaccine is your best defense against the flu.  After you get the shot, the vaccine takes 1-2 weeks to give you maximum protection, so the sooner you get vaccinated, the better.

Neil Padgett, M.D., MPHDr. Padgett is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1984 and completed his residency program in Internal Medicine at University of Maryland Medical Center in 1987.

Womens Guide to Guys’ Health

– Key tips for his 30s-70s

We first thought of this article as a “Men’s Guide to Good Health.” But, as primary care doctors we know that many of our male patients would never even see us for a check-up if it weren’t for their wives, mothers or girlfriends. “Men notoriously underestimate their level of disease risk or sickness,” says MPCP physician, Dr. Garth Ashbeck. “They tend to ignore scheduling regular health exams, perhaps because they’re not as used to seeing the doctor on a regular basis as are women. However, it is through those regular check-ups and screenings that we can catch health problems early, often when they’re most treatable,” he adds.

That’s why we’re directing these health tips to women, (but we hope you men will read on…..)

In his 30’s– Men at this age should see the doctor for a baseline check-up and then at least every other year until age 40. A baseline gives the doctor a picture of where your health is now, and some important information about blood pressure, weight, disease risk and family history. Some guys don’t know their family history, so try to find out if cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or other disease runs in the family. While most screenings are done in a man’s 40s, some may need to be done early if he’s at high-risk. “Establishing a good relationship with a doctor early helps form a partnership in keeping the patient healthier throughout their life,” says Dr. Jonathan Forman of MPCP, “The focus can be on prevention versus treating disease after it’s already arisen.”

In his 40s– Men may start to feel their age more in their 40s, particularly if they’ve been ignoring their health up to now. “Often the 40s are the decade where men begin to see weight gain, high blood pressure or other problems creep up,” says Dr. Forman. The good news is that it’s a great time to turn your health around. Key screenings that should be done in men’s 40’s are for: high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood glucose for diabetes, PSA (prostate-specific antigen), and a skin cancer check. Dr. Ashbeck adds that staying active is crucial in this decade and beyond. “Many men have hectic work and family lives, but regular exercise is a key to staying heart healthy, keeping the weight off, and reducing stress,” he notes.

In his 50’s– The main screening to add at age 50 (for men & women) is for colorectal cancer. Men should also see an ophthalmologist for an eye exam to detect early signs for glaucoma or other vision issues. “This is a time to tell your man not to ignore any warning signs,” says Dr. Forman. “What might seem to be indigestion, can actually be early signs of a heart attack, or those frequent trips to the bathroom at night might indicate an enlarged prostate.” By now men should be getting a full yearly work-up that includes blood tests to check cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some doctors may even suggest an echocardiogram or stress test if there are any cardiovascular disease symptoms.

In his 60s & Beyond– Research shows that people in their 60s and 70s are markedly happier than at other points in their lives. “If men have stayed on top of their health, these decades are usually very active and rewarding,” says Dr. Ashbeck. “Also, since it’s never too late to get healthier, proper diet, exercise and staying engaged socially are important habits to maintain.” Mixing in some strength training with regular aerobic exercise will help- remember senior does not mean sedentary. Men should also feel comfortable talking to their doctor about sexual function and health “below the belt.” Keeping on top of vision and hearing screenings is also important to staying active and social. Talk with your doctor about other important screenings, vitamin supplements, and recommended vaccinations, including an annual flu shot.

Jonathan Forman, M.D. Dr. Jonathan Forman, an MPCP partner who practices in our Glen Burnie office, is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed a residency program in Family Practice at University of Maryland Medical Center.
Garth Ashbeck, M.D.Dr. Garth Ashbeck is also an MPCP partner and he practices in the Pasadena office. Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, he received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed a residency in Family Practice at Memorial Medical Center.

How Primary Care Can Save Your Life

by Neil Padgett, M.D.

Dr. Neil Padgett, is a Partner and Clinical Director for Maryland Primary Care
Physicians in Glen Burnie, MD with 20 years experience as an internist and epidemiologist. In a recent interview he had the following to say about the vital role primary care medicine plays in the early detection and treatment of life-threatening illnesses.

In the early 20th century the three most common fatal diseases were pneumonia, tuberculosis, and diarrhea. With the introduction of antibiotics and improved housing and sanitation, these problems are now much less common. Although they remain challenges in many third world countries, in western industrialized nations, infectious diseases like these are major public health threats only with people weakened as a result of illness, and smokers.

In their place, today’s three top causes of death in the developed world are heart disease, cancer, and stroke; all of which are “silent killers” that take years, even decades to develop and present symptoms. The real danger of these diseases is by the time they progress to the stage at which they are discovered, it’s generally too late. A sobering statistic that Dr. Padgett used to drive this point home is the fact that the first symptom in heart disease 20% of the time………. is death.

The mission of primary care physicians, beyond treating the common illnesses that prompt most people to see a doctor, is to improve the quality of life of their patients. This is accomplished by screening for these less obvious diseases, so they can be detected and treated at early stages. Some of the most common screenings are for prostate, colon and breast cancers, as well as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. The ultimate goal being detection and treatment of these diseases as early as possible, increasing the odds of a patient living a full and healthy life.

Dr. Padgett cites a recent example of a patient who came to his office for a same day appointment complaining of back pain that had been bothering him for two weeks with no improvement. The attending physician, Dr. Allison Williams was concerned with the way the pain was radiating into the patient’s back so she ordered a chest x-ray. The x-rays showed a spot on the lung, therefore Dr. Williams ordered additional tests, which indicated a potentially serious problem. The patient was referred to an oncologist, who confirmed early stage lung cancer and performed surgery shortly thereafter. As a result of early detection and intervention, this patient is now cancer-free. In speaking with Dr. Williams about what prompted her to pursue such a thorough screening process for a seemingly minor ailment, she said that her sensitivity to and recognition of the less obvious signs of cancer had been heightened by the experience she went through in losing her mother to lung cancer four years ago.

In conclusion, Dr. Padgett emphasizes the importance of seeing your primary care physician on a regular basis. He explains when a doctor has an established relationship with a patient, he’s both familiar with that individual’s medical history, and he knows when a reaction or behavior is out of character, which can signal a potential problem.

Neil Padgett, M.D.Dr. Padgett is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1984 and completed his residency program in Internal Medicine at University of Maryland Medical Center in 1987.