Vaccinations safe, important

The facts on vaccination

Vaccination is a controversial subject. Here are some basic facts:

• All vaccines are extensively tested to be sure they are safe and effective. Most routine childhood vaccines are effective for 85% to 95% of of those who receive them.

• The stimulation of the immune system of an infant during the vaccination schedule is much less than it receives from being exposed to household bacteria over the same period.

• When you get a flu shot, you do so not just for your own sake, but that of everyone around you. Recently, an infant in Stanislaus County, California who was too young to be vaccinated died soon after contracting influenza. Pregnant women especially should get the vaccine.

Vaccines you may need booster shots for include MMR and DTap. These will ensure that you cannot contract these diseases or spread them to others. Varicella, or chickenpox, is another recommended booster shot. If you plan on traveling abroad, some countries require you to be vaccinated against yellow fever and meningitis. Hepatitis A and typhoid shots are also recommended. Check the website of the CDC for a list of recommended vaccinations.

Best place to get a vaccination in Germantown, MD

All these vaccinations can be had at Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Manbir Takhar. Bring your insurance card, a valid photo ID, a list of any medications you are taking and any other medical information you might want to have. Make an appointment today.

Finding the right primary care provider

What a primary care provider provides

We all need a primary care provider. This is someone who can provide basic medical care and help you manage minor health problems before they become life-threatening illnesses. The person who does this might not need to be a doctor — he or she could also be a physician assistant or nurse practitioner— but he or she has to be able to respond quickly.

A good primary care provider should offer basic wellness exams, urgent medical care and vaccinations, including those you need in order to travel. The provider should be able to diagnose and treat long-term health problems. Medical tests your provider should be able to perform are the ECHO, EKG and stress tests, pulmonary function tests, breast exams, Pap smears and prostate exams. Your provider should also be able to help with family planning, including pregnancy tests.

Best primary care provider in Germantown, MD

The best primary care provider in the Germantown area is Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. Their clinical laboratory exceeds Occupational Health and Safety Act standards.

When going there for the first time, bring your insurance card, a picture ID, a list of medications you take, the dosage of these medications and other relevant information. Download a copy of the registration form from their Web site for your first visit. This will speed up the process of checking in. You will not need to do this for later visits. Make an appointment today.

Why you need a primary care physician

What primary care physicians do

A primary care physician should be like a member of your extended family — not seen every day, but trusted absolutely and reassuring when seen. A primary care physician deals with common illnesses and injuries, and if a specialist is needed, he or she coordinates patient care. A primary care physician also keeps track of the health of patients over the course of their lives, spotting the early signs of heart disease or diabetes.

A primary care physician should work at a facility that offers the widest possible range of services. These services include wellness exams, tests for heart and lung health, vaccinations, treatment for strains, sprains and broken bones, treatment for burns and puncture wounds, annual physicals, x-ray services, medical evaulations that can diagnose anything from allergic reactions to Lyme disease, breast exams and prostate exams. Look for a primary care facility that has its own clinical lab. This will save you a lot of time if you ever need lab work done.

The best primary care in Germantown, MD

Germantown Primary Care Associates serves patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. Bring your insurance card, a picture ID, a list of medications you take along with the dosage and any other information that might be useful. Downloading a copy of the registration form from their Web site will speed up the process of checking in for your first visit. You will not need to do this for the next visit. Call today.

Finding the right place to get an annual physical

Why you should have an annual physical

Annual physicals are an key part of safeguarding your health. Your doctor can spot the early warning signs of dangerous health conditions. If you are still fairly young, do not drink or smoke, exercise a lot and have no medical issues that you know about, you may not need one, but they are a good idea for everybody else.

An annual physical should cover every aspect of your health. Your doctor will check out your blood pressure, pulse, breathing and temperature, and will listen for any signs of trouble in your heartbeat and breathing, such as arrhythmia. The doctor will also look at your medical history for the past year, including diet, exercise and habits. Be sure to bring up any symptoms you have seen or felt.

Primary care facility in Germantown, MD

The best place to get an annual physical in Germantown is Germantown Primary CareAssociates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. When visiting for the first time, be sure to bring your insurance card and a picture ID. You should also bring a list of whatever medications you take along with the dosage, any recent test results you may have gotten from other physicians, and whatever other information you think may be useful.

Download a copy of the registration form from their Web site for your first visit to check in faster. You will not need to do this for later visits. Schedule an annual physical exam today.

Begin your childs sports year with the right physical

The sports physical

If your son or daughter is interested in sports, getting a sports physical exam is a key first step. In Germantown, MD, children and teenagers must participate in a sports physical exam before taking up a new sport or beginning a new season. This should be taken care of about six weeks before the beginning of the season.

The doctor will evaluate strength, flexibility, joints and posture. He or she will perform a vision test, check the ears, nose, throat and abdomen. The doctor will also take the pulse and blood pressure, and record weight and height.

There will be a form for you to fill out that covers the medical history of your child and that of your family. You may be asked about medications your child takes, previous injuries, hospitalizations or medical problems, allergies, chronic illnesses or medical problems that run in the family. It is important to answer these questions honestly. The doctor will also want to know if your son is on a diet or is taking any dietary supplements or medications.

Best place for a sports physical in Germantown

The best place for a sports physical exam in the Germantown area is GermantownPrimary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar, the Chief Medical Officer, has been named one of the TOP doctors of 2015. Sports physicals are available 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. At other times they are available next door at Medical Access Urgent Care. Make an appointment today.

Good primary care in Germantown, MD

What a primary care provider does

Everybody needs a primary care provider. Minor illnesses, and accidents that need more than a bandage but less than the ER, need somebody to look after them quickly and carefully. Other services you should expect from your primary care provider are basic wellness exams, diagnosis and treatment of long-term health problems you may have, tests for your heart and lungs, pregnancy tests, breast exams, Pap smears, prostate exams, and treatment for skin disorders and STDs.

A good primary care provider should offer many services at extended hours, including urgent medical care, physicals and all sorts of vaccinations, including those needed for overseas travel. Look for a primary care facility that has its own clinical lab, in case you need lab work done.

Primary care in Germantown, MD

The best primary care provider in the Germantown area is Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar, the Chief Medical Officer, was recently named a TOP doctor of 2015.

When going there for the first time, bring your insurance card and a picture ID. You should also bring a list of medications you take and the dosage. Also bring any recent test results you have gotten from other physicians, and whatever other information you think may be useful. Download a copy of the registration form from their Web site for your first visit, to speed up the process of checking in. You will not need to do this for later visits. Schedule an appointment at Germantown Primary Care Associates today.

Flu shots and other vaccinations

That time of year again

Flu season is coming, which means the best time for your annual flu shot is now. The vaccine will protect not only you, but everyone you meet with, including those whose immune systems might not be as strong as yours. Pregnant women should make a particular point of getting the vaccine. They should ask for the shot, not than the intranasal vaccine.

The vaccine is safe and can be taken quickly. Even if it does not prevent the flu, it can lessen the symptoms of it, reducing your misery and letting you go back to work as soon as possible.

You can get a flu shot at many pharmacies, but there are other vaccinations you may need, or that you may need booster shots for. For these, you will want to go to a primary care facility.

Vaccines you may need booster shots for include the MMR vaccine and the DTap vaccine. These will ensure that you cannot contract these diseases or spread them to others. Varicella, or chickenpox, is another recommended booster shot. If you plan on traveling abroad, some countries require you to be vaccinated against yellow fever and meningitis. Hepatitis A and typhoid shots are also recommended. Check the website of the CDC for a list of recommended vaccinations.

Best place for vaccinations in Germantown, MD

All these vaccinations can be had at Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Manbir Takhar. Bring your insurance card, a valid photo ID, a list of any medications you are taking and any other medical information you might want to have. Make an appointment today.

Finding the right doctor

A good doctor

One of the biggest decisions you make is choosing a doctor. Your doctor is the one you turn to for every problem you don’t know how to deal with yourself.

A good doctor is someone you trust completely and can discuss any and all medical issues with. He or she is available as often as possible and puts the needs of his or her own patients first. With the right doctor, you and your loved ones can live longer and happier lives. It helps if the doctor is part of a medical facility that offers a wide range of services, such as vaccinations, urgent medical care and physicals. A primary care facility that has its own clinical lab will save you a lot of time if you ever need lab work.

A primary care facility in Germantown, MD

The staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown, will be everything you need in a doctor. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer.

Bring your insurance card and a picture ID. You should also bring a list of whatever medications you take along with the dosage, any recent test results you may have gotten from other physicians, and any other information that might be useful. Downloading a copy of the registration form from their Web site will speed up the process of checking in for your first visit. You will not need to do this for the next visit. Book an appointment today.