Facing An Adult Illness With Childhood Protection: Are You Still Safe?

It’s part of the back-to-school routine.

School supplies… check.

Lunchbox… check.

Immunization record… check.

For the majority of families, vaccinations are just a part of childhood. The shots provide children with immunity from everything from measles to chickenpox. Particularly the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (also known as German measles). All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws that require some immunizations before a child can enter childcare and public schools. But, by the time you’ve reached the age for college and other postsecondary educational institutions, you may very well have lost your records providing evidence of immunity.

Evidence of Immunity

That’s where Any Lab Test Now® can help. If you’ve lost your evidence of immunity records that are required by many colleges and even some professions, there’s an easy way to prove your immunity. It’s called the MMR Titer. The MMR Titer is a simple blood test that checks if you are immune to measles, mumps, and rubella by measuring your antibody levels. The results demonstrate whether or not your immune system has the capability to respond to an infection from one of the viruses.

Timing is Important

The timeline is important as it pertains to the MMR Titer. After having your blood drawn at your local Any Lab Test Now, it will generally take between 24 to 72 business hours to get your results. This is important because if your results show that you have low to no immunity, you’ll need to arrange to receive two doses of the MMR vaccines, separated by at least 28 days.

Who Might Need an MMR Titer Test

Most people know that school-aged children will need to provide proof of vaccination, but many may not realize that it’s not just kids that require a record. You will need to provide evidence of immunity or the results of an MMR Titer if:

• You are a student at a post-high school educational institution.
• You are a person who works in certain settings, such as hospitals or medical clinics, and are at risk for increased exposure.

The CDC also recommends that people who plan to travel internationally make certain that they are protected before traveling. Doctors also recommend that women of childbearing age make certain of their coverage before getting pregnant.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE MMR VACCINE! According to the CDC, a few people who get two doses of MMR vaccine may still get measles, mumps or rubella if they are exposed to the viruses. Experts aren’t sure why, but suspect that it could be that the immune system did not respond to the original vaccine as well as it should have.

Take Control of Your Health

Your local Any Lab Test Now makes it easy. There are friendly experts there to answer any of your questions and provide you with the results you need to take your next steps forward. Getting through childhood is hard work — let us make sure your childhood immunizations are still working as hard as you are.

Drug Testing Students

The upcoming school year seems so full of excitement and promise. Students can’t wait to find out which friends will be in their classes and re-commit themselves to getting top grades this year. Parents are frantically running around making sure that school supplies are purchased and doctor appointments attended. School administrators and teachers patiently prepare lessons and activities.

Yet for all the positive activity, there is a looming reality that some of these students will make poor choices when it comes to alcohol, tobacco or drugs. In fact, 11.3% of students have tried marijuana by the age of 13. So, it’s important for parents, administrators and teachers to be on the lookout for children who may be at risk and to routinely engage in open discussions about the dangers that these substances can cause.

If the time comes when you suspect that a student is using drugs, alcohol or tobacco — or if you’re simply looking for a tangible deterrent to help your student avoid the temptation — turn to Any Lab Test Now for support. We offer a variety of drug tests for teens that can help you determine if the student is using substances and what those might be.

Confidential

Any Lab Test Now, there’s no reason to worry that samples or personal data will be insecure. Specimens follow strict chain-of-custody protocols, and results are heavily protected throughout the testing process to preserve confidentiality. Individuals maintain complete control over their specimens; unless the results need to be court-admissible, you can even bring your specimen in yourself. Additionally, to maintain our various accreditation’s and certifications, we must regularly report on our efforts to protect client data security and confidentiality. This gives patients and regulatory agencies alike confidence in the safety and accuracy of test results.

Comprehensive

No matter what drug, or drugs, you expect to find, you can rest easy knowing Any Lab Test Now has a panel that can uncover it. We have 5-panel, 10-panel and 12-panel tests that look for the most commonly abused drugs, or you can select a customized healthcare or prescription drug testing panel. Within these panels, we can find evidence of recent use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, nicotine and alcohol. Any Lab Test Now can also do emergency drug testing, in the event you believe a student was unknowingly drugged.

Customizable

With Any Lab Test Now, you can choose which tier to test at and for which drugs you would like to look. If you just want to know whether a student has recently taken drugs of any kind, a simple drug screen might be the only thing you need. A drug screen is much faster than a full test, but it cannot differentiate between different types of drugs and can only confirm or refute the presence of drugs in someone’s system.

You can also choose the type of test used, depending on how far back you need your results to span. For example, testing urine or saliva will reveal recent use of the drug. If you need to know whether the drug was used in the past three to six months, testing fingernails or hair follicles is the better way to go.

As adults, we understand the impact that using drugs can have. While students may look like adults, they simply aren’t yet. Their brains still haven’t finished developing the centers that manage reasoning and self-control. So, it’s important that we all keep an eye on our teens. Whether you work with them or raise them lovingly, continue to talk about the dangers of illegal substances. And, help them make the right choices by using drug testing as a deterrent.

If the time comes that you do suspect a student of using drugs, reach out to your local Any Lab Test Now for help with teen drug testing.

Titers Testing Provides Proof of Immunization

The school year is approaching and with it comes excitement for those students entering a new school. For Mom and Dad, however, making sure students are properly enrolled can be stressful! One hurdle can be that requirements for enrolling often include documented immunization records: Parents must present proof that their children are immunized against various diseases. If for some reason parents don’t have these records, laboratory tests can be performed to quickly and easily provide the documentation that the school requires. These are called titer tests.

Titer Testing Not Just for Students

Of course, it’s not only students who need documentation to support their immunization status. There are many instances when this may be required, such as:

• Employment in the education system
• Employment or study in the healthcare system
• Employment in the veterinary field
• Participating in athletic programs or various activities
• Pending travel plans

What Is a Titer Test?

The tests examine a blood sample to determine if it contains antibodies of a specific disease. The blood would only contain these antibodies if they had been released at one point in response to that disease’s virus or bacteria. This means that someone who has the antibodies in their blood has been exposed to the disease already – either naturally or through vaccination – and is now immune to the disease.

At Any Lab Test Now, we offer a variety of titer tests, including:

• The MMR Titer tests for immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. This is a great option for anyone studying or working in a medical setting where you are at a higher risk of being exposed to these diseases.
• The Varicella Titer tests for immunity to the varicella zoster virus — more commonly known as chickenpox and shingles.
• Hepatitis B. The Hepatitis B Titer tests for Hepatitis B, inflammation of the liver. This can be contracted through exposure to infected blood from another person, among other causes, so those working or studying in the healthcare field are at a higher risk of coming into contact with blood infected with hepatitis and should consider testing for all three types (A, B and C).
• The Rabies Titer monitors rabies antibody levels to ensure you are not infected with the rabies virus.

And More!

Any Lab Test Now offers hundreds of testing options, with convenience and affordability in mind. With no appointment necessary, wait times under 15 minutes and results back in 24–72 hours for titer tests, you’ll be glad you chose Any Lab Test Now to help with your proof of immunizations and other testing needs. After all, whether you’re diving into a new career or juggling kids, you have enough on your plate without wondering about proper immunizations.

Let Any Lab Test Now help you out today. Make an appointment online or call our experts to discuss what testing options are right for you.

Why Not Trust, but Verify Your Teen?

Summer is coming to a close and schools all across America are back in session. That means your teenager is preparing to meet lots of new people and have some wonderful new experiences in the coming year. However, we all know sometimes teens can be led down the wrong path, through impulsive decision-making, situations involving peer pressure and that feeling of pure invincibility that almost all teenagers experience. These common themes in many teenagers’ lives can sometimes lead them on the path to drug use.

Being able to trust your child more as they grow older is a wonderful thing to celebrate. But when we know that even the best teenagers can be prone to making poor decisions every now and then, why not take the preventative steps to protect them from engaging in dangerous activities?

The Trust, But Verify random teen drug testing program offered by Any Lab Test Now is a great way to help your teenager make good decisions when it comes to drugs. When your teen knows they can be randomly drug tested at any time, they can say “no” to their friends more easily, without succumbing to peer pressure. Your teen can let their friends know that they can’t try drugs — not even once — because they get drug tested at home. You can still have a trusting relationship with your teenager knowing that you’ve given them the tools they need to refuse dangerous substances, without having to feel like their activities are constantly monitored.

At Any Lab Test Now, teen drug testing options include:

• Rapid drug screens for when you need to know now.
• Lab-based drug screens and confirmations of drug screens for your assurance, including but not limited to prescription medications, cocaine and synthetic designer drugs like K2, Spice and “bath salts.”
• Drug tests for different detection periods.
• Additional tests are available for:
  • Alcohol Use
  • Tobacco Use
  • Unknown substances suspected of being drugs
  • Dextromethorphan (DXM) abuse

Contact Any Lab Test Now to learn more about our Trust, But Verify teen drug testing program today.

Back to School: Time for Your Student’s Proof of Immunizations

It’s that time of year again! The start of August means it’s back to school for college students all across America, and for many students, it also means back-to-school titers and immunizations. If your child needs any proof of immunizations before returning to school, or before heading off to school for the first time, look no further than Any Lab Test Now.
Colleges, universities and technical programs often require proof of certain immunizations before your student can attend. Luckily for you and your student, Any Lab Test Now offers convenient and affordable options for obtaining your proof of immunization.

Titers
A titer is a type of blood test that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in your blood. It can be used to determine if you are immune to a disease.
If you think your student has received an immunization in the past, but can’t find the proof to show your school, titers are an easy way to verify your child’s immunity to certain diseases. Any Lab Test Now offers a popular three-in-one titer for measles, mumps and rubella — some of the immunizations most commonly requested by schools and other institutions. The MMR Titer will verify whether or not you are immune to these three diseases, and we’ll even have the results ready to send to your school within 48–72 hours.
Some schools may additionally require proof of immunization against the varicella-zoster virus, which you may know better as chickenpox and shingles. A VZV Titer is also available at Any Lab Test Now and is a great option for students needing a quick, low-cost proof of immunization before entering school.

Talk to the experts at Any Lab Test Now to learn which testing options are right for your needs.

National Immunization Awareness Month: What that Means for Your College Student

Now that August has arrived, that can only mean one thing — it’s time for your student to start heading back to school! But did you know that August is also National Immunization Awareness Month? Getting immunized against infectious diseases is important for your health, as well as the health of those around you. And with the start of the new school year just around the corner, you may need to make sure your student is up to date on all their vaccinations.

Most colleges, universities and technical programs require students to provide proof of their necessary immunizations. Our titers tests for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella are an easy alternative to tracking down your old pediatrician from 10+ years ago or finding those old medical records you promised yourself you’d get around to organizing. Instead of spending hours searching for lost records, a titers test can quickly and easily check if you are immune to certain diseases. In just one visit, we can have you tested and your results ready to send to your student’s school within 48 -72 hours of testing.

Some health care study programs may require additional tests including proof of immunization for Hepatitis B and C, a yearly flu shot or even drug testing. The good news is, we can provide these, too! Instead of going to your doctor and racking up lots of fees and sitting through several separate doctor visits, why not make it easy on yourself and get everything done at once — cheaply, efficiently and hassle-free!

We know starting the new school year can be hectic. That’s why we at Any Lab Test Now want to relieve some of your stress by offering easy and affordable solutions to all of your most pressing back-to-school health care needs. We can provide proof of immunizations, flu shots and even help you fulfill those extensive requirements for health care study programs. And there’s no additional cost for a physician’s visit — we provide the doctor’s order. So don’t run all over town. We’re your one-source solution at Any Lab Test Now.

Important Immunization Facts for College Students

This year, America’s colleges and universities are welcoming back record numbers of students. If you’re one of the more than 21 million undergraduates¹ attending school this fall, you know that proof of immunization is an important requirement. Now is the perfect time to learn more about which vaccinations you’ll need.  Before you can step foot in the classroom, make sure you’re up-to-date on these shots.

REQUIRED (varies by state and institution, so check with your college)

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
• Meningitis
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella (chicken pox)

RECOMMENDED

• Influenza (flu)
• Td (tetanus, diphtheria)
• HPV (human papillomaviruses)

Minors will need to get parental consent before getting caught up on any immunizations they might be missing. If you aren’t sure which vaccinations you’ve already had, speak with your doctor to obtain a medical history. Or, you can obtain proof of immunization through a lab test, such as MMR titers or Varicella titer testing.  Some diseases – chicken pox, for example – will not require additional immunization if you have already been sick.

¹ U.S. Department of Education Institute, National Center for Education Statistics

Unlock the Secrets of Purposeful Parenting

July is Purposeful Parenting Month, and it promotes building strong, meaningful relationships between parents and children. Goals of Purposeful Parenting Month include children’s habits, growth in their independence and nutritional eating habits. One of the many ways to encourage parenting with a purpose is by modeling the specific behaviors that we want our children to obtain. Another way includes open communication, which has been proven to be a large component for success. Make time in your schedule to have open, honest conversations with your children. Allow times to play with your children, help them with their homework and stimulate their minds. Simple changes such as a family dinner discussion rather than a meal while watching T.V. creates steps in the right direction towards open communication. Game nights are always a fun idea, too!

“Taking the time to provide consistency, structure, accountability, along with unconditional love, support and understanding can increase the likelihood that your children will make healthy decisions.”   – David Niven, Ph.D.

Explore additional ideas to get involved with purposeful parenthood month. You have the power to make a difference in your child’s life.

Raising Awareness for Health Centers During Health Center Week

Have you ever noticed that when you get sick you always feel the need to find out what’s wrong? Who wants to go another day with a tummy ache, a sore throat or the dreaded sinus headache and congestion? Believe it or not that’s one of the many benefits provided by health centers. You might start asking yourself… “But I don’t have insurance, so how can I get service?” The good news is you have options at your disposal that will empower you to Take Control of Your Health® whether you have high deductible insurance, a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, or if you are uninsured.

A great example of available options is ANY LAB TEST NOW®. Though ANY LAB TEST NOW® does not treat or diagnose, it does empower its customers to be proactive about managing their health by providing direct access to blood tests, DNA tests, drug and alcohol testing as well as other lab testing services.  After you get your lab test results, you can quickly call a physician with our AmeriDoc telemedicine services program.  The doctor is just a phone call a way, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can treat many non-emergent care issues by phone, video call, or chat.

According the National Association of Community Health Centers, there are around 44 million people in the U.S. that are currently uninsured with another 56 million with high deductible insurance. This often makes health take a back seat to cost, which stresses the importance of price transparency. Can you take more good news? ANY LAB TEST NOW®’s affordable, transparent prices fit into a person’s healthcare budget, providing a solution that continues to support overall health and wellness. Don’t let your health take a back seat, without it we are nothing.

During the week of August 11 – 17 the nation celebrates Health Center Week. Why not take the time during this week to stop by a health center near you, check in on your health and thank them for helping to empower you and your loved ones to Take Control of Your Health®?

To learn more about ANY LAB TEST NOW®’s lab testing options stop by an ANY LAB TEST NOW® near you or visit www.anylabtestnow.com

Allied Health Back-to-School Healthy Checklist

With the new school year around the corner the excitement of back to school shopping is here again; these days back-to-school shopping as it relates to college or technical school takes more than a new wardrobe and new supplies. Now students also need to shop for a place to get immunization confirmations along with other lab tests just to be able to enroll.  Or, you can track down that pediatrician you saw 16 – 18 years ago and see if they can pull your records quickly….

Required tests for freshman college enrollment or for healthcare professional students can include but are not limited to MMR Titers (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and/or Varicella Titer (Chickenpox).  Some schools might require students to be tested for Hepatitis A, B and/or C; or obtain a TB screen, drug test or flu shot.  And you just thought you were finished with school shopping!

With everything on your to-do list for back-to-school, wouldn’t it be nice if there was a place where you can have all the necessary lab tests done at an affordable price and that didn’t require too much of your time? ANY LAB TEST NOW® is an affordable option for back-to-school lab testing, for both incoming college students and allied health students. Working within the student’s budget while offering fast and convenient lab tests, especially if you just found out about a last-minute requirement, is important. Whether you need confirmation of immunization through titers testing, hepatitis tests, a flu shot or a drug test, ANY LAB TEST NOW® makes it fast, easy and as painless as possible.

You have too much to do to get ready for school and ANY LAB TEST NOW® can help you Take Control of Your Health® and get ready for school with something as simple as making an appointment. For more information about our allied health lab testing services visit an ANY LAB TEST NOW® near you or www.anylabtestnow.com.