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September 2011 | AustinRegionalClinic.com
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Focus on Heat-Related Illness

Elizabeth Knapp, MDYour health care expert is Mark Grier, M.D. Pediatrics, ARC Quarry Lake

It's hot, how can you stay active and be safe?
Dr. Grier encourages coaches, athletes, and students exercising outside to be careful about heat-related illness during the ongoing Central Texas heat. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are almost 6,000 ER visits each year for sports and recreation heat illnesses.

"Pace your activities, drink more water than usual, exercise earlier or later in the day when it's cooler, and rest in the shade or indoors," Dr. Grier recommends. "Be smart and stay cool!"
 

Fight the Flu!

Influenza, or the "flu," is a serious contagious disease that can make you miserable when you’re sick, or even lead to hospitalization. Austin Regional Clinic is now offering seasonal flu vaccinations at many ARC locations, including all ARC After Hours Clinics. Flu vaccinations are available for both established and non-established patients.

Influenza is a serious respiratory illness that is easily spread and can lead to severe complications, even death. Each year in the U.S., 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and an estimated 226,000 people are hospitalized from influenza-related complications. 

The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) continues to recommend "universal" flu vaccination, meaning that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. The CDC also recommends vaccinating early in the fall, as it takes two weeks for your body to develop the protective antibodies, and the vaccine lasts throughout the entire season, for up to a year.

ARC primary care (Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine) and Obstetrics/Gynecology locations, in addition to ARC After Hours Clinics at ARC Far West, Southwest and Round Rock, offer flu vaccines in three forms:

  • flu shots (injections), regular and preservative-free
  • preservative-free FluMist (nasal spray)
  • high-dose flu shots from FluZone (injections) for ages 65 and older.

The 2011-2012 flu vaccine includes immunization from the expected seasonal flu strains (Influenza A H3N2, Influenza B), and the H1N1 virus, all in a single injection. The FluZone High-Dose vaccine for people ages 65 and over provides four times the strength of a regular vaccine, providing more effective coverage for this high-risk population.

You can reserve a flu vaccine at ARC. Make an online appointment request today and receive other needed medical care at the same time as you get your flu vaccination. For more information, visit the ARC flu webpage call the ARC location of choice or ARC-INFO (512-272-4636); after business hours, call (512) 346-6611.

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. Flight the Flu!

 
 
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P.O. Box 26726
Austin, Texas 78755-0726

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