vaccinations

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Tis the Season … Flu Season, that is.

Flu Activity. Accessed 1.31.2020

Seasonal Flu activity remains high. The new coronavirus is a hot topic in the news, but fact of the matter is, you are much more likely to get seasonal flu (influenza). There are still several months of flu season ahead. Talk to your doctor

Talk to your doctor about your risks of flu, and means of prevention (1) such as vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations Do NOT Cause the flu. Vaccinations are considered preventative care, and may be covered by your insurance. Free vaccinations are available through CVS and Walgreens.  Gloucester’s Health Department also offers flu vaccinations; call Public Health Nurse Kelly Hiland at 978-325-5266.

 

 

The current risk level for flu in Gloucester MA is high. Infants, people over 50, and people with chronic health issues (lung, heart kidney or liver disease, and neurologic, blood, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus), are more at risk for complications from the flu.

Vaccine Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2) According to the CDC, the flu vaccine has been found to reduce the risk of seeking a doctors appointment for the flu by 40% to 60% during seasons when the vaccine viruses are similar to the circulating viruses. While It is true that the vaccine does not cover all strains, generally, if someone has had the vaccination, when one gets the flu, it may be a milder case with fewer complications. (3) The CDC recommends “everyone ages 6 months and older* get a flu shot every flu season,” but the CDC also says there are some people who should not get a flu shot. Again, talk to your doctor.

If you do have symptoms of the flu, (4) stay home and contact your doctor. Sometimes cold symptoms mimic those of the flu. When in doubt, check it out; consult your doctor or healthcare provider.

Sources and More Information on the Flu from the Centers of Disease and Prevention.

(1) Preventing Flu (in English) and Spanish)

(2) Flu Vaccine Information Sheet

(3) Effectiveness of Flu Vaccines

(4) Symptoms of Flu

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Cover Your Cough. When Sick – stay home, drink plenty of fluids (unless otherwise advised by your physician), and get plenty of rest. Take good care of yourself!

Enjoy a Healthy Lifestyle; avoid smoking, minimize or avoid alcohol altoghether. Engage in healthy eating, regular exercise, and daily relaxation in order to stay healthy and well, whatever the season.

Best in health, Karen

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Alumnus CCRN, Nurse Researcher, Integrative Nurse Consultant, Author, Speaker, Photographer. Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health: Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate, advocate for, and empower you in your healthcare goals. Providing evidence-based integrative healthcare services and self-care tools that are safe as well as effective at improving overall health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. 978.283.4258. Email: dreamtimewellness@gmail.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

 

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A Case of the Measles Reported in Rockport

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Did you know?  A case of the measles was reported in Rockport – According to the Public Health Department, a visitor in Rockport turned out to have a case of the measles. They were said to have visited various places in Boston and Cambridge May 1st and on May 3rd, they visited The Pewter Shop and Sea Star Gift Shop, and Brothers’ Brew Coffee Shop. The Boston Globe reported, “On May 4, the tourist was back in Boston, at the Star Market in Copley Square and shopping along Newbury Street. By May 5 through Sunday, the visitor was at Massachusetts General Hospital. Health officials said patients and visitors at the hospital who may have been exposed will be notified by hospital administrators. Nespresso’s cafe on Newbury Street was closed yesterday by the public health department, scheduled to reopen today.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC,) the symptoms of measles generally occur 7 – 14 days after exposure. Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC,) in 2000, measles was declared eliminated from the U.S., “the annual number of cases has ranged from a low of 37 in 2004 to a high of 667 in 2014. The majority of cases have been among people who are not vaccinated against measles. Measles cases in the United States occur as a result of importations by people who were infected while in other countries and from transmission that may occur from those importations. Measles is more likely to spread and cause outbreaks in U.S. communities where groups of people are unvaccinated.”
 See the ‘Fact sheet’ on Measles from the MA Public Health.
Symptoms of Measles – Symptoms generally appear 7 – 14 days after exposure.
  • High fever
  • Cough
  • Runny Nose
  • Watery Eyes

Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth as an early sign of measles infection.

Image of Koplik spots

Koplik spots

Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash breaks out.

Image of measles infection

Measles Rash

Question? Call your primary care physician. Talk to your primary care physician about measles, and about vaccinations to help prevent the measles. If you think you may have been exposed, call your doctor.

Sources and More Information  –

GMG’s Kim Smith did a report on measles last year, including a survey asking people their opinion about vaccinating for measles prevention.  Here are the results – Out of 158 votes, 149 people (94.3%) chose this response – “All children should be vaccinated against the measles, regardless of their parent’s religious or political viewpoint (the only allowable exemptions are for health reasons).”

~ Wishing You the Best in Health,   Karen

 

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC.  Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.