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MinuteClinic® and Allergy Season Myths, Tips and Resources!

April 21, 2015 by Denise Courter

MinuteClinic® and Allergy Season Myths, Tips and Resources!

It is hard to believe that allergy season is upon us, but it’s true. Whether you live near the water, the mountains or in the middle of New York City, there is no escaping the fact that for 35 million Americans with seasonal allergies, spring means itchy eyes, sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose and congestion. And, as an allergy sufferer and the Mom of a 6 year old seasonal allergy sufferer, this is a challenging time of year. Luckily, we have the MinuteClinic® in our neighborhood for relief and guidance. 

As a child, I never suffered from allergies. It wasn’t until I moved from California to New York, did I feel all of the traditional allergy symptoms. But, I had to learn the basics, to understand how to manage seasonal allergies. 

What IS an allergy?

An allergy is the body’s hypersensitivity to substances in the environment. Mold, dust, pollen, pet dander, and even some foods can cause allergic reactions.

What causes seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies are a reaction to small airborne substances. These allergens are small proteins that usually float around in the spring, summer and fall.

So, those springtime colds may actually be allergies?

Yes. A cold will typically clear up pretty quickly, within 7-10 days. Allergies may last weeks or even months!

So, how do you know if the onset of symptoms indicates whether you have a cold or allergies? Check out some great comparisons provided by MinuteClinic®. 

Colds vs. Allergies

Many people confuse the symptoms of spring allergies with a common cold. Here’s what you need to know about the two:

  • The main difference between a cold and allergies is that a cold is caused by a viral infection while allergy symptoms are caused by your body’s own immune system’s attempt to fight off an allergen.
  • If you start sniffling and coughing at the same time each year and your symptoms come on suddenly, it may be allergies. 

Parents need to know how to protect their families from allergies and the best way to get allergy relief. I know that the answers to these questions are critical to enjoying outdoor activities with my family. 

1: How can I protect my family and myself?

Symptoms can usually be controlled with treatment. Nasal saline, decongestants and over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines may help relieve symptoms as well.

2. How do I get allergy relief?

There are plenty of options! At MinuteClinic®, the nurse practitioners and physicians assistants can recommend the right over-the-counter medications and write prescriptions when medically appropriate.

If you’re diagnosed with allergies, medication may help relieve your symptoms. The best way to treat allergies is to avoid the allergen – whatever it may be.

MinuteClinic® and Allergy Season Myths, Tips and Resources!

FiDi Families Insiders: MinuteClinic® Tips that we LOVE…

  • Shake it off! Before coming inside, rid your clothes of pollen with a good shake.
  • Did you know hair gel could be a pollen magnet? Skip the sticky stuff during allergy season for a little extra relief. 
  • Avoid window fans! While convenient, they tend to bring in unwanted pollens or mold spores.
  • Fall asleep on clean sheets. Wash your bedding every two weeks to help ease allergy symptoms.

As a Mom of two toddlers, having access to health advocates and experts like the one’s at MinuteClinic® is convenient and reliable. My family has trusted their pharmacy team for several issues, whether it has related to teething questions, over-the-counter medications or seasonal allergies. If you haven’t stepped inside a MinuteClinic®, consider it during allergy season. To learn more, visit http://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic

Minute Clinic ImMinuteClinic® and Allergy Season Myths, Tips and Resources!

ABOUT: MinuteClinic® is the walk-in medical clinic inside select CVS/pharmacy®stores. We provide quality and convenient health care services 7 days a week — no appointment necessary. Most insurance plans accepted. 

 

Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic®

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CVS MinuteClinic Flu Shots for the Family

October 28, 2014 by Denise Courter

CVS MinuteClinic Flu Shots for the Family
Courtesy: CVS MinuteClinic

CVS MinuteClinic Flu Shots for the Family Campaign. Flu season is underway and both parents and school administrators are gearing up for runny noses and sick kids. The good news is that you can try to head off the inevitable by getting your flu shot now at the CVS MinuteClinic. It’s a great resource to help your family stay healthy this flu season. Education is key! Learn more about the flu vaccine and some of the myths associated with the vaccine. 

What is the “flu”, anyways? The flu is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. It can develop very quickly and with flu, you always have a fever. Other common symptoms include headache, sore throat, dry cough, stuffy or runny nose and muscle aches.

How can I protect myself and my family? Vaccination is the first line of defense against the flu. Eating right, exercising and getting plenty of rest can also help, but the single most effective way to avoid getting the flu to get a seasonal flu shot!

How serious is it? Certain people are at greater risk for complications with the flu, including seniors, young children, pregnant women and those with certain health conditions like asthma or diabetes. A misdiagnosed flu can lead to complications, so if you are unsure if it’s the flu or a cold, see your doctor or MinuteClinic practitioner.

Who should get the shot? Since getting a seasonal flu vaccine is the single most effective way to prevent getting the flu, the CDC recommends that anyone ages six months or older be vaccinated, including those who were vaccinated last season.

How long is the flu contagious? The flu can be passed on even before someone realizes they’re sick, since most healthy adults can infect others 1 day before and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. Children or those with weakened immune systems, that period is even longer.

 

green-banner-flu-shots

There are several options available for flu shots: 

– Regular seasonal flu shot

– Intradermal shot for those who might be squeamish about needles (approved for adults 18-64; this may or may not be covered by insurance)

– High dose vaccination for customers 65 years and older (provides an elevated level of antigens, which can create a stronger immune response in seniors) 

MinuteClinic vaccinates patients 18 months and older. If you have a child between 6 and 18 months, they should receive their vaccination from a pediatrician.Will it be covered by insurance? Health insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, typically cover the full cost of a flu shot, and MinuteClinic accepts most insurance! They also accept cash payment.

And…BONUS! Customers will receive a 20% off CVS/pharmacy Shopping pass when they get a flu shot at CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic.

campaign-flu-promo

Flu Vaccination Myths:

I only need to be vaccinated once. MYTH! A new flu vaccine is developed each year to fight the strains that are most likely to be prevalent for the season, so it’s important to get your flu shot each year.

People start getting sick once cold weather hits, so it’s too early to get my shot. MYTH! The CDC recommends to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available, ideally by October (outbreaks can happen before Halloween!). It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in your body to provide protection, so it’s not too soon.

I’ve heard you can get sick from a flu shot. MYTH! It’s actually impossible, since the vaccine is made from an inactivated (dead!) virus, so it cannot give you the flu. If you get flu-like symptoms after getting your flu shot, it’s likely that you were exposed to the flu after you got vaccinated but before the vaccine took effect, which can be up to two weeks.

(The only real side effect of the flu vaccine might be soreness or redness where the shot was administered!)

Try some of these daily tips to keep healthy and help to prevent cold and flu:

– Wash your hands with soap and water often, especially after you cough or sneeze.

– Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, and discard of the tissue in the trash. Sneeze into your sleeve if a tissue is not available.

– Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs can spread easily that way.

– Avoid contact with those who are sick. Flu is thought to be mainly spread from person-to-person contact (coughing and sneezing doesn’t help!).

– If you’re sick, stay home from school or work to keep others from getting infected.

Where can I learn more about the flu? Learn more about the flu at: www.cdc.gov/flu and MinuteClinic’s vaccination offerings at: http://bit.ly/ZQZVDn

If you are thinking about flu shots for yourself and  your children, be sure to check with your family pediatrician to ensure a flu vaccine is the right choice for your family. Clearly, flu shots aren’t for everyone, but if you are a believer in the benefits of flu shots as I am, you are in luck as the CVS MinuteClinic has options for a quick, appointment-free flu shot.

Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic

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#Repost @crownshynyc ・・・ Join us on Thursday #Repost @crownshynyc
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Join us on Thursday, January 28th, at 4pm ET for @downtownnyc’s “Dine Around Downtown: Cooking at Home” — hosted by @roccodispirito —  where you will learn how to make our signature Crown Bird Dinner, our Kale Caesar Salad, and a India’s Mac n Cheese as created by Executive @chefjameskent and Sous Chef India Doris @india.doris 
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And if your inner chef is calling you, whip up your best version of our featured recipe and post a picture of your plate with #DineAroundAtHome @crownshynyc , and @downtownnyc to enter to WIN a 30-minute private virtual cooking class with one of the chefs. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀
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Channel your kids’ creative side with a poetry w Channel your kids’ creative side with a poetry workshop hosted by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and the Seaport District. Children can create collage poems in the ECHO EXHIBIT workshop or dive deeper into art appreciation in the Alt-text as Poetry workshop.

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#poetrycommunity #echoexhibit #textaspoetry #kidsworkshops #seaportdistrictnyc #creativityforkids #thingstodoinnyc #fidi #fidifamilies #downiswhatsup #lmcc
Life is funny. A year ago I was celebrating 20 yea Life is funny. A year ago I was celebrating 20 years of calling NYC home. A year later, our family is on a crazy career adventure in Miami, with a lot of unknowns. 

But, we do know that we only get one life to live and jumping in feet first is the only way to live life to the fullest, at least in our minds 😂. 

We are already in love with the Miami weather, the happy people, the gorgeous beaches 🏝 and the day tripping way of life. We arrived in FL w a suitcase each and a mask 😷. Happy that we are surrounded by mask-wearers. Wasn’t sure what to expect. But, we will be back in NYC this summer. Lots of decisions to make between now and then. But also lots of fun and exploring over the next few months. 

The silver lining of the Covid world we live in is remote learning allows us to travel and say yes to new beginnings. Stay tuned for updates on the next chapter for our website, too. 

#fidiadventures #fidigoesflorida #becomingfloridians #nyctocttofl #floridalife #floridakeys #floridaorbust #southbeachmiami #aventura #sunnyislesbeach #keybiscayne #writingthenextchapter #wesaidyestoadventure #comevisit
A new chapter begins. Not only for our country but A new chapter begins. Not only for our country but for FiDiFamilies, too. 

#newbeginings #turningthepage #writingthenextchapter #staytuned #FiDiAdventures #palmtreesandsunshine
It’s time for the Specialized High School Admiss It’s time for the Specialized High School Admissions Test. Is your student ready? Sign up for a prep workshop with @robbins_ready_learning and get prepared for the upcoming test. 

#shsatprep #nyschools #highschoolprep #education #nycschools #preptime
We made it to Friday! Time to break out the adult We made it to Friday! Time to break out the adult beverages! Easy to do with the help of our neighborhood shop Passnella & Son Vintners at 115 South Street! 

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