NextCare Urgent Care Offers Conclusive Test for Identifying H1N1 and Other Specific Infections

Sept. 22, 2009 - PRLog -- Mesa, AZ -- NextCare Urgent Care, one of the nation’s largest privately owned providers of urgent care and occupational medical services, is offering a highly sensitive test that conclusively identifies the H1N1 virus and other specific infections using DNA technology. The H1N1 diagnostic test allows providers to decisively diagnose the specific type of virus in order to ensure the most effective treatment for patients. With a quick nasal test, the H1N1 diagnostic test prompts results within 24 hours.

Numerous medical locations offer a rapid flu test but few are able to define the specific type of infection the patient is suffering from like the H1N1 diagnostic test offered at NextCare Urgent Care.  Dr. Lee Resnick, Chief Medical Officer of NextCare Urgent Care said, “This test is highly sensitive for identifying specific infections including H1N1. The rapid flu tests used in most doctor’s offices are far less sensitive and do not differentiate between seasonal flu and H1N1. Distinguishing between seasonal flu and H1N1 is critically important for choosing proper treatment, as the seasonal flu is resistant to some of the commonly used flu medications.” “Treatment of the flu with anti-viral medication is recommended for patients at high risk for complication, including the very young, the elderly, pregnant women, those with suppressed immune systems, and anyone with chronic medical conditions like asthma and diabetes.”

The specific H1N1 diagnostic test will allow for students and employees to know within 24 hours if they have been infected with the H1N1 virus, seasonal flu or another specific virus. Since patients with seasonal or H1N1 flu are asked to stay at home for up to a week to prevent transmission, identifying these infections is important for infection control. If another less threatening virus is identified, patients can avoid unnecessary lost work or school days.

The H1N1 diagnostic test is currently available at all NextCare Urgent Care locations in Arizona and North Carolina and will be available at all NextCare locations, including Colorado, Texas, Virginia and Georgia, by September 25. For more information on the nearest location, visit www.nextcare.com. Patients do not need to schedule an appointment; walk-ins are always available. If patients are feeling flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches or fatigue), they are encouraged to visit their nearest NextCare Urgent Care location to determine whether they are infected with the seasonal flu, H1N1 or another specific virus. The H1N1 diagnostic test is covered by most insurance plans.

In order to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu this year, every NextCare Urgent Care location is providing seasonal flu shots for $25. Check the nearest location for availability.

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Urgent care provider NextCare (http://www.nextcare.com/) is one of the nation’s largest privately owned provider of urgent care and occupational medical services, known for bringing together service-driven healthcare and innovative medical technology to the delivery of medicine. NextCare operates 51 urgent care facilities among Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina.