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Although 98.6F is the ‘normal’ temperature, it’s common for it to vary from 97-99 depending on age and how the temperature is taken. Lower temps are common for those 64 and over.

For everyone three months and up, the simplest way to take a temperature is using a digital temporal (forehead) thermometer, but an oral thermometer works well too. (They’re just not recommended for children under four years.) Though you might remember having your temperature taken under your armpit, that method isn’t as accurate. If your reading shows a temperature of 99.5-100.3, it’s considered a low-grade fever. Over 100.5 is a strong signal that something’s wrong. This blog offers guidance for when it's okay to take a fever reducer (and which to choose), and when to head to BestMed Urgent Care. bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/tylenol-bayer-advil-and-aleve-whats-the-difference/

Although it’s not yet the height of cough season, winter illnesses aren't the only cough culprit. Many people experience cough as a side effect of a cold or allergies – usually because of sinus drainage that aggravates the throat. In case you find yourself coughing before summer sets, we’re bringing back our “Hacks for a hacking cough” blog. This article discusses when a lingering cough should get medical attention. Need help? Head to BestMedClinics.com for the clinic near you. bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/tips-and-tricks-for-that-persistent-cough/

And just like that summer is over and it’s time to be ready for cold, flu and COVID season. Knowing which virus has caught up with you will help you get relief sooner – and know for how long you’re likely to be contagious. Check out this great comparison of symptoms from the National Institutes of Health or head to BestMed Urgent Care for one test that detects Flu A, Flu B and COVID. newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/01/it-flu-covid-19-allergies-or-cold

Despite safety protocol, warm-ups and water, injuries happen. Those that typically require medical attention usually involve more than one player, but slides, dives and passes can go wrong. Head our way for help for the following:

1. Lacerations or cuts. Heavy blood flow and/or visible bone should go to the hospital or call 9-1-1.
2. Pain that doesn’t go away with rest. Review the RICE protocol to treat minor injuries, on our blog, here: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/injuries-coming-out-of-hibernation/
3. Swelling or continuing pain around a joint.
4. Non-life-threatening knocks to head. We can help evaluate a possible concussion, but you should go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if an athlete loses or has lost consciousness.

Help avoid injuries by having a sports-specific check-up, called a “sports physical” to identify any concerns. Learn more about sports physicals on our blog, here: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/kids-sports-physicals. Plus, our sports physical special is underway now. Just walk in to any of our clinics. BestMedClinics.com

Today's a day off for most people, but those in essential services, like many of us at BestMed, are on the job to ensure our communities have the care they need. It's a good reminder that while Labor Day has come to represent the last hoorah of summer, its significance is rooted in the celebration of the labor movement. We encourage everyone to take a moment today to reflect on and celebrate all that is made possible thanks to the dedication of workers like our team members... and you, too! BestMedClinics.com

We can’t claim this as a scientific study but based on our casual observations at BestMed Urgent Care, stomachaches are the #1 vacation-wrecker. We blame a combination of air travel; hot weather that breeds bacteria in food; lowered immunity related to exhaustion from having so much (too much?) fun; and changes in eating habits. Learn more about stomachaches and when to head for urgent care on our blog (bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/5-illnesses-that-love-summer-heat/) plus 4 other illnesses that don’t care that it’s your vacation.

Earaches don’t take summer vacation… in fact they love to jump on board for yours! Fluids and bacteria from swimming and changes in air pressure from flying can aggravate existing earaches and introduce germs that are happy to make your ears their new home. Some ear aches will resolve on their own, but sometimes it’s time for a trip to urgent care. Learn more about earaches and 4 other summertime fun-wreckers on our blog: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/5-illnesses-that-love-summer-heat/

It’s time to play! Whether that’s ball, cross-country or an individual sport, a sports physical for your young athlete can help identify any concerns before they surface – and it’s often a requirement before the season begins. It’s easy to take care of this important step: our clinics offer walk-in sports physicals and we’re running a special now. Learn more about sports physicals on our blog: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/kids-sports-physicals.

In the meantime,… like adults, kids can push through pain when adrenaline is flushing through their body. If your child is limping, throwing differently or rubbing a leg during activity, we encourage you consider pulling them from play – at least for long enough to give their body time to ‘catch up’ and give them cues of injury. Some injuries, particularly over-use injuries like shin splints and joint issues, can be prevented by recognizing the need for rest. If the issues persist, head to an urgent care for assessment. Many issues can be addressed there, and more serious musculoskeletal concerns can be referred to a specialist. Walk-in: BestMedClinics.com

What's that rash? Here’s the scoop on impetigo, which is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that is common among young children. It appears all year long, but is more prevalent in warm, humid weather. The bacteria often enter the skin through a scratch (insect bites, etc.) and it spreads easily. The image shared here is just an example – impetigo can appear anywhere on the body. It begins as small blisters which rupture and create a yellow crust.

If the rash has spread beyond a small patch of skin, antibiotics might be prescribed. More information on impetigo – including when to keep a child home from day care or school -- is available here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279537/ Need professional help? Walk right in to one of our clinics: BestMedClinics.com

This summer we’ve been sounding the alarm about avoiding heat stroke and heat exhaustion through hydration. But hydration plays an important part in overall health, too. Dehydration can cause muscle aches, bloating, headaches, constipation and sleep and cognition problems. Hydrating properly helps long term with joint health, cellular health and organ function.

So, keep up the hydration habit all year, even as temps cool. Women should drink about 11 cups of water per day and men should aim for 16. Flavored water and tea count toward this number, but soda, fruit juice and energy waters don’t deliver the same benefits.

Dehydrated? Learn more on our blog: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/signs-of-dehydration-and-how-to-treat-it/

A typical summer day in an urgent care clinic includes a whole lot of foot and toe injuries and many of them could be prevented. From cuts and stings to jammed toes, we'd love to save you some pain: Wear your shoes! Learn more about caring for toe and foot injuries at home and when to head to urgent care. Check out this month's blog: BestMedClinics.com/health-blog/foot-toe-injuries/

Learn more about preventing all-too-common summertime foot and toe injuries, how to care for injuries at-home and when to head to urgent care. Check out our blog, here: BestMedClinics.com/health-blog/foot-toe-injuries/

Kids' sports can get aggressive, but most of the injuries we see at urgent care actually happen during practice. That makes sense given the hours spent practicing versus the hours spent at a game. But it means that doubling up on the same good game-day habits is important:

* Wear sunscreen.
* Warm up slowly.
* Drink more water.
* Wear the protective gear recommended for the sport (shin guards, mouth guards, helmets, etc.).
* Pay attention to signals from the body related to over-use, take it easy and check in at urgent care if pain persists.

And of course, be sure your child has had a sports physical! Learn more about why sports physicals are important here: www.bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/kids-sports-physicals

It’s travel season! No matter where your adventures take you, we hope you travel safely and in good health! Of course, there’s some sort of Murphy’s Law of Vacation that seems to land travelers in bed with the crud. If this happens to you, remember that BestMed Urgent Care has clinics around the region and you can just walk in. It’s as easy as your home BestMed clinic. Nowhere near home? Check out our telehealth services. Depending on the situation, we can help you get on with feeling better… hopefully before your vacation runs out! BestMedClinics.com

Happy 4th of July from all of us at BestMed! We hope you have a fun-filled day ahead. Please remember to celebrate safely and to be sure you're drinking lots of water. The combination of heat, sun and a long day can create dangerous conditions for dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

* Learn what to watch for and what to do in the case of heat-related illness here. bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/heat-related-illness/
* Learn more about dehydration symptoms, go here: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/signs-of-dehydration-and-how-to-treat-it/

Better yet, skip the risk with the 3 easy steps of: 1) shade, 2) water and 3) sunscreen!

Right in time for summer sports, we're bringing back our easy-peasy, walk-right-in, low-cost sports physical special! It's a great way for you to check out our walk-in urgent care clinics, too. Take the stress out of summer and walk right in. Find your location on our website: BestMedClinics.com

Young athletes are tough – especially when they love their sport. Player-on-player injuries are hard to anticipate and avoid, but some of the most common sports-related injuries can be prevented with three easy habits:

1. Warm up: Yes, they’re flexible and fit, but even kids need a gentle warm-up before hard play. Slow pre-play drills or stretches like arm swings, quad stretches, lunges and toe taps are examples.
2. Cross-train: Mixing it up helps distribute physical demand across the body. Some sports are especially good combinations, like soccer and track.
3. Drink water: Young athletes should begin play fully hydrated and drink 4-12 ounces of water every 15 minutes, with the variation depending on temperature and the child’s age. Tip: 4 big gulps from a fountain is about 4 ounces of fluid. Learn how to watch for dehydration here: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/signs-of-dehydration-and-how-to-treat-it/
4. Have a sports physical. Walk in to any of our clinics BestMedClinics.com. Learn more about sports physicals on our blog: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/kids-sports-physicals.

Each year, we learn more about our imperfect history... and how together we can build a more just and equitable future. Today is Juneteenth, a time to commemorate this date in 1865, when enslaved Black people in Texas were finally informed of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. We hope you will join us in joyfully celebrating Black freedom and resilience today.

It's bright out there! This is the perfect time to remind you about the importance of sun protection for your eyes as the UV exposure climbs during summer months. If you’re not in the habit of wearing sunglasses every time you’re outside, we hope you’ll start.

No matter what style you prefer, be sure you opt for glasses that protect from UV-A and UV-B rays. Whether you’re at the gas station or a fancy sunglass shop, don’t assume this level of protection. If the glasses aren’t labeled with that protection, they probably don’t have it. Get more great summer safety tips on our blog: www.bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/6-summertime-safety-tips/

We’re celebrating Pride Month by reasserting our commitment to caring for and celebrating each person in the LGBTQ+ community. As employers and health care providers this means we:

1. Recognize the contributions LGBTQ+ team members make to our organization every day – and have made for many years.

2. Dedicate ourselves to building and maintaining a culture and environment in which everyone is comfortable being their authentic self at work.

3. Acknowledge an additional responsibility to understand and address the health disparities faced by our LGBTQ+ patients. These disparities are often exacerbated by the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face in accessing care.

At BestMed, we will never discriminate against, refuse care or provide lesser treatment to any individual who comes to us for help. We are united by our compassion, kindness and commitment to providing care that is personal to every one of our patients. BestMedClinics.com

We changed today’s name a bit, adding that (or Cry). Seriously, we see so many painful sunburns and associated illness during the summer months. We’d love to spare you the pain and the damage it does to your skin. So check out our articles on sunscreen and sunglasses here: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/6-summertime-safety-tips/ and what you should know about heat-related illnesses here: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/heat-related-illness/.

it’s time to “shine some light” on what the scale means. These days, the UV level is just about always 3 or higher, which means you need sun protection. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses, and seek shade to avoid exposure. Learn more on our blog, here: bestmedclinics.com/health-blog/6-summertime-safety-tips/