Emergency Rooms and STDs
A new medical study raises an important question: should anyone who is seen in an emergency room be automatically screened and treated for other essential problems and conditions that in the end affect society as a whole—such as sexually transmitted illnesses?
Some experts are saying a visit to the emergency room should mean much more to many patients besides ice, ace wraps, and sutures.
“Unfortunately without a primary care physician they are missing out on a lot of important services,” says second-year pediatric resident Dr. David Kessler and supervising physician Dr. Karin Sadow at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
They recognized that once a patient is finally seeing a doctor in the E.R., for whatever reason, while it’s certainly not an ideal or inexpensive place to have a patient visit, at least they’re there.
And maybe, screening for other health issues that are costly to society as a whole makes sense.
The researchers had young males coming in for any reason, complete an anonymous questionnaire on sexual behavior.
They also performed urine-screening tests for gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
They found a high frequency of high-risk sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted illness among those who use the E.R. as their only means of health care, and did not go to a regular doctor--like Knemal Moore, who doesn'’t have a doctor, came in for a sore throat and didn’'t know he was, by chance, also carrying a sexually transmitted illness.
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Bird Flu Overblown
The reports of potential human to human transmission of the bird flu in one Indonesian family have the world on edge.
From health officials to financial markets, the trickle down effect has been significant.
This bird flu virus has potential to be a disaster…but as of right now, it’s truly not a huge threat to humans from Indonesia to America.
Dr. Stephen Baum, an infectious disease expert at beth israel hospital, says, “It is completely probable that within a year a bird will land in America carrying H5N1 avian flu virus because birds don’t need passports and they don’t need visas and they’re migrating. Of somewhat lesser probability but still quite probable is that one of those birds will infect an American domestic bird. Of slightly lesser probability is that bird will infect a human being in exactly the same way as in Asia. And then of lowest probability certainly in the short run but possible is that in fact human to human spread will take place.”
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Prez Plan Questioned
A US outbreak of Avian Flu may kill as many as 1.9 million Americans and hospitalize 9.9 million. But is President Bush's plan on target to protect the country if a pandemic did occur here?
Some health officials believe this outbreak could be as bad as what happened with the 1918 flu. But if we knew about this current H5N1 flu bug seven years ago, and only now we're getting our protection plan going, is this an example of too little too late?
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Kids and Flu Vaccine
Kids and flu shots
It’s that time of year when the kids’ flu shots are flowing. But should your child get the flu vaccine? And is there enough to go around?
The fact is, most of us can handle the flu pretty well. We can get sick, but we recover without serious consequences. It’s the very old, and the very young who are susceptible, and who can be seriously sickened by the flu.
It’s these kids, who along with the seniors, need to get an annual flu shot.
This year is no exception.
Cornell Smith is one and a half, and he’s the ideal candidate to get the flu shot this year. But his mom Katrina has wavered. “I opt not to get it for my own choices,” says Katrina.
But experts say Cornell should get a flu shot, since kids his age are more susceptible to a serious illness.
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Flu Studies
There are two new studies which raise significant concern regarding the flu.
One says that the flu shot is really not that effective in the older population which is the prime target population for vaccination.
The other says the drugs we have stockpiled in the event of a flu epidemic won’t work now in many because the flu viruses have become resistant to them.
According to the latest data, presented in the medical journal The Lancet, worldwide resistance to the medicines used to treat the flu have increased a whopping 12 percent in the past 10 years.
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OTC COLD AND FLU RX
The cold and flu season is here, and that means more doctor visits and requests for prescription antibiotics. But new research shows going to the over the counter drug aisle in the pharmacy could provide more relief for you and save billions of dollars a year in healthcare expenditures.
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HOW TO AVOID A COLD
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HOW TO AVOID A COLD
Holiday cheer won’t be the only thing spread this season. This is the season that colds spread rapidly, often leaving people sniffling and depressed.
“If someone touches you and they have cold, you can easily get it. Particularly if they’ve just wiped their nose,” says internist Dr. Marc Siegel. There are several measures you can take to avoid colds, ensuring that you enjoy your holiday to the maximum.
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FLU SHOT SCRIMPING
Flu vaccine is a little like liquid gold. at least, this year, with the huge flu vaccine shortage that’s affected the U.S., even those who should get the flu vaccine aren’t getting it. But now there’s new research to show that the limited supply can be stretched if the flu vaccine is given in a different way.
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Kids and Flu Vaccine
Flu season typically peaks between December and March, and so now is the time that those most at risk need to get the shot. But there’s some confusion about which children should get it this year because of the shortage.
It’s the same, but a little different when it comes to kids and flu shots.
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HEALTH CARE WORKERS & FLU RISK
As the effects of the flu vaccine shortage sweep the nation, the Centers for Disease Control is warning that health care workers need to make every effort to get vaccinated. Healthcare workers are a liability in terms of the spread of the flu virus. Yet, many don’t get the flu vaccine. And this year, when the flu vaccine is in short supply, it’s important to keep the virus from spreading as much as possible, which is why these healthcare workers need to get their shots.
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