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Dr. Sara Clemens, MD is an adult infectious disease specialist in Philadelphia, PA specializing in adult infectious disease. She graduated from Brown University, Alpert Medical School in 2017 and has 9 years of experience. Dr. Sara Clemens, MD is affiliated with UNIVERSITY OF PENN - MEDICAL GROUP.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a condition caused by bacteria (borrelia burgdorferi) that are transmitted via infected ticks. Most cases of Lyme disease are found in the United States East Coast and parts of the Midwest. The three main vectors of transmission for Lyme disease are:
As background, ticks lay on the tops of grass and brush, clutching onto leaves with their legs and with their arms outstretched. This formation is called "questing" and allows ticks to quickly latch onto passers-by. Within two hours of biting a person's skin, the tick slowly begins to feed from the blood of its host, which can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. This tick activity generally occurs seasonally and tick bites mostly occur during the springtime.
After being infected, people with Lyme disease may develop symptoms like fever, exhaustion, headache, joint aches, and skin rash, usually three to thirty days after the tick bite. Lyme disease is characterized by a particular skin rash called erythema migrans, which is an enlarged red rash that starts at the site of the tick bite and expands outwards. The rash is a strong indicator that someone has developed or is at risk of developing Lyme disease.
In the following few months, symptoms may worsen and progress to include:
Most cases of Lyme disease dissipate over a few months. Lyme disease may be cured by a course of oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or doxycycline. Other treatments may include:
People can take action to prevent Lyme disease by exercising caution when in environments with ticks. Using insect repellant and wearing long socks and protecting clothing can help prevent tick bites. Outdoor enthusiasts should regularly perform "tick checks," evaluating their skin for small ticks, especially in areas where ticks may easily burrow. Showering within two hours of returning indoors also can reduce the likelihood of developing Lyme disease.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, happens when bacteria enter the body through the opening where urine is normally released. The bacteria infect the lining of the urethra and bladder, turning them red and inflamed. This causes pain in the abdomen or pelvic area, a burning sensation during urination, a sense of urgency about going to the bathroom, frequent urination, and urine that smells bad and looks cloudy, or even contains traces of blood. If the urinary tract infection is severe, it may travel all the way to the kidneys, a more serious kind of UTI called pyelonephritis. Patients with this kidney infection might have blood in their urine, feel back pain, and develop a fever.
Urinary tract infections are extremely common: 12% of all men and 40-50% of all women will have a urinary tract infection during their lifetime. They are more common in women because women have shorter urethras, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder and cause an infection. Some people also have urethras that are an unusual shape or have an obstruction in the urethra that makes getting a UTI more likely. Also, certain chronic illnesses like diabetes weaken the immune system, so any bacteria in the body are more likely to cause an infection.
A urinary tract infection can be diagnosed very quickly by a doctor. A sample of urine can be examined under a microscope for the presence of bacteria or white blood cells. There are also diagnostic strips that can be used to test a urine sample without the need for a microscope. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment is a course of oral antibiotics, and most patients feel better within just a few days. There are some things that patients can do themselves to help reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection in the future. Stay well hydrated, wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom, wear breathable cotton undergarments, and don't hold it in when patients feel the urge to go.
Dr. Sara Clemens, MD graduated from Brown University, Alpert Medical School in 2017. She completed residency at University of Pennsylvania Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the Board certifications: Internal Medicine and has a state license in Pennsylvania.
Medical School: Brown University, Alpert Medical School (2017)
Residency: University of Pennsylvania Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: Board certifications: Internal Medicine (2020)
Licensed In: Pennsylvania
Dr. Sara Clemens, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Sara Clemens, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Group Health Plan (GHP), First Health PPO, Aetna POS, Community Care Network (CCN), TRICARE, Coventry, Aetna HMO, Aetna Signature Administrators, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA POS, CIGNA HMO, Aetna Savings Plus, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Gold, AmeriHealth, AARP, Medicare Advantage, First Health POS, First Health HMO, Geisinger Health Plan, US Family Health Plan, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Oxford HMO, Oxford PPO, First Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Qualcare PPO, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Platinum HMO POS, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Workers Comp, Highmark Blue Shield First Priority Life (FPLIC) - AffordaBlue PPO, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Prime, Aetna Advantra Credit Value, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Flex Plus PPO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Keystone HMO, Clover Health Classic HMO, Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Blue PPO, Devoted Health Core Pennsylvania (HMO), Clover Health Choice, PA Health & Wellness Ambetter, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Giveback, Qualcare POS, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Complete, Oscar Health Plan of Pennsylvania HMO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Personal Choice EPO, Qualcare Workers Comp, Provider Partners Health Plan Community Plan HMO SNP, UPMC Health Plan Community HealthChoices, Keystone Health Plan East Keystone65 (Essential, Basic, Select, Liberty) HMO, Claim Watcher (Homestead/ INDECs) Open Access, Aetna Advantra Value, Aetna Advantra Eagle POS, Imagine Health (Imagine Health 360) EPO, Highmark Blue Shield My Blue Access PPO, PA Health & Wellness Allwell - HMO, Highmark Blue Shield My Direct Blue EPO, Highmark Wholecare (fka Gateway Health) Assured Ruby HMO SNP, UPMC Health Plan - UPMC for You (PA HealthChoices), Aetna Advantra Premier Plus PPO, Highmark Blue Shield BlueCare Custom PPO, BS of New Jersey Advantage - EPO, Aetna Premier, Devoted Health Choice Plus Pennsylvania (PPO), Keystone Health Plan East POS, Highmark Wholecare (fka Gateway Health) Assured Diamond HMO SNP, Devoted Health Choice Pennsylvania (PPO), PA Health & Wellness Community HealthChoices, Highmark Blue Shield Complete Blue PPO Premier, Keystone Autism Services, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Special, Aetna Flexible Five, Devoted Health Giveback Pennsylvania (HMO), Highmark Blue Shield PPO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) HMO, Highmark Wholecare (fka Gateway Health) Payor Access Agreement, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners (PA HealthChoices; includes CHIP), Centivo EPO, PA Health & Wellness Allwell - PPO, Preferred Health Care/Eliance PPO, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Dual Pearl SNP, Oxford Health Plan POS, Aetna Advantra Cares D-SNP, Highmark Blue Shield Complete Blue PPO Choice Deluxe, Aetna APCN Plus (Multi-Tier), Aetna Premier Plus, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Proactive HMO, Medicare - Pennsylvania, Aetna Philly Prime, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Personal Choice 65 (Prime, Saver, Elite) PPO, Clover Health Choice Value PPO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Behavioral Health, Aetna Upfront Advantage, Devoted Health Dual Plus Pennsylvania (HMO D-SNP), Aetna Freedom Core, Qualcare HMO, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Flex, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) PPO, PA Health & Wellness Allwell - SNP, Aetna Advantra Eagle HMO, Provider Partners Health Plan Advantage Plan HMO SNP, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Personal Choice PPO, Rail Road Medicare/Palmetto GBA, Aetna Advantra Value Plus, Preferred Health Care/Eliance EPO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) POS, Clover Health Value, Aetna Student Health Plan PPO, Aetna PPO APCN, Devoted Health Choice Giveback Pennsylvania (PPO), Global Medical Management, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Silver and Keystone Health Plan East HMO.
According to our sources, Dr. Sara Clemens, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Sara Clemens, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 685 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Sara Clemens, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Sara Clemens specializes in adult infectious disease and practices in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Clemens graduated from Brown University, Alpert Medical School.
