5100 Buckeystown Pike #186, Frederick, MD 21704
Mon-Fri 8am to 9pm | Sat-Sun 9am to 6pm
We first must make the diagnosis of pneumonia by doing a thorough physical exam and a chest X-ray. Many community-acquired pneumonias can be managed with outpatient oral antibiotics. However, older patients with co-morbid conditions (e.g cancer, liver disease, renal disease, heart failure) who are clinically unstable (e.g change in mental status, high fevers, rapid respiration) will need to be transferred to the hospital for IV antibiotics and close observation.
It depends. We must first make the diagnosis of strep throat. After a physical exam, we may perform a rapid strep test if indicated. If the rapid strep test is positive and you present with typical step throat symptoms (e.g fever, tonsillar exudates, lymph node enlargement, and no cough), you will be given a 10 day course of penicillin or amoxicillin. However, if the strep test is negative (a throat culture may be recommended if clinically indicated) and you only have sore throat with no other symptoms, then step throat is unlikely.
Sexually active patients with multiple sex partners, new sex partners, unprotected sex, and contact with sexually transmitted infection.
Yes. Many patients with sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms. For example, 75% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia have no symptoms. See report.