Revolution Family Medicine

08/11/2021

School starts soon! Most of the families I know are very anxious about keeping their kids safe at school this year. Here is what YOU can do as a caregiver:

1) Vaccinate! If you are vaccinated, there is a much smaller chance of your child getting sick.

2) Wear Masks: Teach your children how to wear a mask -- wear over the chin and nose, do not touch unless taking on and off, leave on unless the teacher says it can come off. Find masks that are comfortable for your child. Have at least 7 masks so you can wash them after one day's use.

3) Wash hands: Teach your children how to wash their hands -- tops, palms, fingers, nails -- for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song.

4) Distance: Teach your children to stand or sit at least 3ft from other kids or teachers. If two little kids can reach out and touch hands, they are too close.

5) Symptom Check: Know what to do if you think your child might be sick. Fever, runny nose, body aches, and cough are all possible symptoms of COVID19. If your child has any of these symptoms, do not send them to school. Take them to see their pediatrician or family doc, or find a testing center that tests children with the PCR test. Your child should not return to school unless the test is negative.

07/30/2021

Summer is the season for ticks! Today, I am sharing science about ticks and letting you know which old wives’ tales to throw out.

Where do ticks come from? Ticks live in the grass, preferring tall grasses and weeds. They also live in leaf litter on the ground. They transfer to ankles and legs, then crawl upwards. They do not fall from trees.

How do I remove a tick? Grasp the tick close to the skin (tweezers or just fingers) and pull steadily away from the skin. Jerking can break the tick, leaving the head in the skin. Don’t apply a hot match or any other substance to the tick to get it to let go.

Are ticks dangerous? The majority of ticks do not cause infections, and are therefore not dangerous. If you do get an infection it is usually easily treated. If you have a tick, do not panic. Remove it and monitor yourself for symptoms. If you develop symptoms over the following 3 weeks, see your doctor for treatment.

What kind of diseases can I get from ticks? NC has three Tick-borne illnesses: RMSF (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), STARI (Southern Tick-Associated Rickettsial Infection), and Ehrlichiosis. Lyme disease is VERY rare in NC.

What symptoms will I have with a tick-borne illness? Symptoms usually start 1-3 weeks after a bite. They include fever, headache, joint pains, and muscle aches. RMSF also usually comes with a red dotted rash. STARI usually causes a bulls-eye rash around the site of a tick bite, similar to the ones caused by Lyme disease. Ehrlichiosis often also causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

How do I treat tick-borne illnesses? Tick-borne illnesses can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics like doxycycline. Antibiotics are less effective if the illness has gone on for a long time, so seek treatment as soon as you develop symptoms.

How do I prevent tick bites? Wear long pants, tucked into your socks, and long sleeves. Wear bug spray with DEET -- at least 10%, but 20% for prolonged outdoor activities. Do not use DEET on babies or toddlers.

Do you have any other questions about ticks? Ask them below!

07/19/2021

'Tis the season for poison ivy here in the South. Falalala! Here are some myths and facts about our least favorite plant, from Dr. Sloan.

FACT: "Leave of three, let it be." Yes! Poison ivy is a vine that grows along the ground on the edges of woods, and up fences and trees in search of sunlight. Its leaves are in groups of three, but the leaves themselves come in several shapes, ranging from smooth to toothed, to lobed.

MYTH: Leaves of 5? No, our five-leaved vine here is Virginia Creeper, which is harmless unless you try to eat it. (Don't eat it.)

MYTH: Poison Ivy is contagious. No, you cannot catch poison ivy from a person with the poison ivy rash.

FACT: I can get poison ivy from my garden tools. Yes! The poison ivy rash is caused by an oil contained in the leaves and stems of the plant. The oil can remain on your garden tools for months, and can remain on unwashed clothes for weeks.

MYTH: My poison ivy needs antibiotics. No, the poison ivy rash is a skin reaction to a toxic oil, not by bacteria. However, anytime we have open wound, it is in danger of getting infected. If you think your rash might be infected, you should see your doctor.

Tips:

1) Wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves when doing yard work around poison ivy.

2) Remove these clothes with your gloves still on and put them, and, lastly your gloves, directly into the washer.

3) Wash all exposed skin with dish detergent. Dish detergent is much more effective at removing oils then soaps. If you are very allergic to poison ivy, take a whole shower with dish detergent.

4) Wipe down your tools with a dish water solution or a 10% bleach solution to remove the oils. It is very difficult to remove all traces of the oils, however, so putting your gloves on before picking up your tools is a good idea.

5) Treat a mild rash with topical hydrocortisone or calamine. Keep the area dry and cover loosely to prevent infection. Severe rashes may need corticosteroids. See your awesome family doc right away!

07/14/2021

Hello everyone! I I've got some updates for you!

Construction: After running into some major delays, I finally have design plans for my office space. I’m getting bids from contractors who have estimated 6-8 weeks to complete renovations. I am hoping to have the office open for business in September.

Labs: I have scored a fantastic contract with LabCorp. I can now offer crazy low lab prices that are often lower than insurance costs.

Imaging: I have also negotiated low prices for imaging with Valley Radiology. I can't post details publicly, but these self-pay prices are better than MY insurance.

Appointments: I am seeing many patients every week by telehealth, which is working out very well. I have also done a few home visits for baby check-ups, injections, minor procedures, and complicated patients needing in-person exams. I am enjoying living like an old-time rural doc, except that I don't have a black bag -- mine is red.

I am still taking on patients -- new ones and "old." Spread the wordI

03/04/2021

03/04/2021

03/04/2021

02/27/2021

Exciting News! Revolution Family Medicine is up and running! Please visit www.revolutionfamilymedicine.com for more information and to schedule a telehealth appointment with Dr. Sloan.

02/12/2021

Many of you have seen my new banner with the name of my practice -- Revolution Family Medicine. This is a revolution against corporate medicine and insurance companies. There is just one more piece to fall in place to be able to start seeing patients. My physical office will take a few more months. I am considering an office in Lillington and one in Angier. Follow this page to get updates.

01/19/2021

Many of you have asked if the new vaccines are safe and if I would recommend them. The answer is a resounding YES and YES!

I got my first dose 2 weeks ago. Had some muscles aches on day 2, but then felt good as new.

Currently the NC DHHS has approved Step 2 in our vaccine plan. Anyone 65+ is eligible for the vaccine.

~Dr. Sloan

Ask questions below!

HARNETT COUNTY covid vaccine line: 910-814-6582

01/03/2021

Happy New Year! I pray for a healthy 2021 for all of you.

As many of you know, I have separated from Harnett Health and I am establishing a new private practice. I hope to be open for telehealth visits by February and then in-person visits by March.

I will announce the name of my new practice as soon as my business license is approved. Stay tuned!

I welcome questions! Comment below or send a private message. I'll be following closely.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jes Sloan