2012-2013 Influenza Activity Elevates

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Influenza activity continues to increase in the United States and most of the country is now experiencing high levels of influenza-like-illness (ILI), according to Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) latest FluView report. The CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccination and antiviral treatment, when appropriate, at this time.

CDC tracks influenza activity year-round and publishes a report weekly on Fridays. According to this surveillance, the proportion of people seeing their health care provider for ILI in the United States has been elevated for four consecutive weeks, climbing sharply from 2.8% to 5.6% during that time. Last season, which was relatively mild, ILI peaked at 2.2 percent.

Follow the Connecticut Department of Health website for a breakdown of influenza activity by county and by town. http://www.ct.gov/dph/site/default.asp

For more information on symptoms of influenza, how it spreads, and what you can do to reduce your risk of becoming infected go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm

Watch Your Back When You Lift!

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Whether you are taking boxes down from the attic to decorate for the holidays, lugging boxes moving to a new home, or lifting regularly at your workplace, it is essential to watch your back. Improper lifting techniques can cause both short and long term back injuries. Learning to lift properly will help you accomplish your tasks while reducing your chances of hurting or disabling yourself.

Back injuries can be caused by a single defined instance or as the result of improper lifting techniques over time. Injuries can arise from damage to muscles, ligaments, vertebrae or vertebral discs. Back injuries account for a significant amount of human suffering and lost productivity. For individuals in their working years, back problems are one of the leading causes of disability. The economic impact of back injuries is expected to rise over the next several decades due to the aging population and growing healthcare costs.

Since back injuries result from exceeding the capability of the muscles, tendons, and discs, it is important to avoid lifting loads that are just too heavy for the back to support. Injuries can also occur due to a cumulative effect of contributing factors that include

  • Reaching while lifting
  • Poor posture or physical condition
  • Twisting or bending while lifting
  • Ergonomic deficiencies for job workstations
  • Sitting or standing for too long
  • Improper body mechanics for lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects

Be safe by planning ahead before you are going to lift anything. Being familiar with the area you are lifting in and knowing exactly where you are moving an item to can reduce the time your body is under the stress of lifting and prevent tripping due to obscured sightlines you may have while carrying a large object. If you will be lifting an item with another person, make sure you both agree on the technique and path beforehand.

Lifting safely starts with getting a firm hold on the object, then bending your knees while keeping your back straight, and finally lifting with your legs. It is important to have a solid, stable base to lift from, so keep your feet shoulder width apart. While lifting, tighten your stomach muscles to support your back. If at any point the object is too heavy or your grip loosens, ask for assistance if available, and slowly guide the item down to a resting place.

If you do injure your back, visit your doctor or nearest Urgent Care Center for an evaluation. Certain medications and rehabilitation exercises can help reduce the number of days you are in pain, returning you to your normal activities sooner.

 

Cynthia Vanson, MD

Assistant Medical Director, Urgent Care of Connecticut.

Meningitis Outbreak Causes Concerns

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A recent outbreak of fungal meningitis has been making news across the country.  These infections have been linked to a specific, contaminated injectable steroid that was produced at the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts. This tainted medication, which was used to treat back pain, was shipped to 76 facilities in 23 states. Officials state it may have been administered to as many as 14,000 patients prior to its recall.

As of October 23, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the outbreak has risen to a total of 308 cases spread over 17 states.  The number of deaths from fungal meningitis currently stands at 23. Cases have been reported in Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

The fungal meningitis infections in this recent outbreak are not contagious to others, only individuals who have had epidural injections with this specific medication are at risk. People who have received injections of the contaminated steroid should seek medical treatment ASAP if they develop symptoms such as back pain, nausea, or headaches. Early identification and treatment of fungal meningitis greatly improves the chances of surviving this life threatening infection.

Meningitis is a condition in which the protective membranes, called meninges, that cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. This inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. A test called a spinal tap samples spinal fluid so it can be studied to determine if the infection is due to a virus, a bacteria or a fungus.

Meningitis infections caused by bacteria are extremely aggressive infections that can cause serious consequences including brain damage and death. An immunization to protect against bacterial meningitis is available. The initial dose of this vaccine is recommended for all children age 11 to 12 years old. A second dose should be administered at age 16. The meningitis vaccine is also recommended for adults with any medical condition that weakens their immune system.

Enteroviruses are the most common viruses that cause viral meningitis. Viral meningitis infections, in a previously healthy person, will resolve on their own after 7-10 days. Patients will typically just receive supportive care to help reduce the symptoms of their infection.

Because the severity of the illness can vary widely depending on the cause of meningitis, any patient experiencing sudden onset of fever, headache and neck stiffness should be comprehensively evaluated immediately so that any treatment needed can be started right away.

 

Cynthia Vanson, MD

Assistant Medical Director, Urgent Care of Conneticut

When Eyes are Red, Itchy, and Runny…

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If your child’s eyes are red, itchy, and runny, it’s probably “pink eye.” Parents who have children with suspected pink eye inevitably get a phone call from a school nurse or daycare worker requesting their child be removed from school and taken to the doctor. Commonly, schools and daycares will not allow a child with pink eye symptoms to return until the child has been treated with medication for at least 24 hours.

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Most episodes of pink eye are due to viruses that cause a mild infection. Pink eye can also be caused by other germs (such as bacteria or fungi) or by allergens such as pollen or dust.

Some of the most common symptoms of pink eye include:

  •  Redness and burning of the eyes
  • Watery or yellowish discharge from the eyes
  • Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
  • Swelling or tenderness of areas around the eyes

Pink eye caused by bacteria or viruses is contagious, while pink eye caused by allergens is not. Children can get pink eye by touching something an infected person previously touched. Pink eye can also spread when children swim together or share towels.

To help prevent pink eye, one should wash their hands often with warm water and soap.  Coughing or sneezing into your elbow, avoiding rubbing your eyes or touching your face can also reduce the chances of catching or spreading infectious pink eye. Children should avoid sharing towels, pillowcases, or toys with other children who appear like they may have pinkeye. Teens and adults should not share or borrow makeup when pink eye is suspected. Individuals wearing contact lenses need to remove their lenses immediately if they develop symptoms of pink eye. Their lenses should be replaced with a fresh pair only after their eye symptoms have fully resolved.

Although pink eye is a fairly common condition and usually causes no long term eye or vision damage, it is important to see a doctor to determine if medical treatment is needed and to confirm that symptoms are not due to a more serious problem. If your doctor is unavailable, Urgent Care of Connecticut is a full service walk-in clinic open 365 days a year.

Cynthia Vanson, MD

Assistant Medical Director, Urgent Care of Connecticut

Help Urgent Care Medicine Get a Boost from Legislators

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Source: The Case for Urgent Care, September 1, 2011, Urgent Care Association of America

What is Urgent Care?

As defined by the Urgent Care Association of America, Urgent Care is healthcare provided on a walk-in, no-appointment basis for acute illness or injury that is not life or limb threatening, and is beyond the scope or availability of the typical primary care practice or retail clinic.

Urgent Care centers provide walk-in, extended-hour care for illnesses and injuries that do not belong in an emergency room. Typical urgent care services include physicals, immunizations, xrays, blood and urine tests, fracture and laceration care, EKG’s, oxygen and intravenous fluids. They are owned by physicians, groups of physicians, hospitals and corporations and are staffed with qualified and experienced physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

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