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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2010)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, October 21, 2010 To Your Health! By Judy Hargis, P.A Health and Vaccine Update The Advisory Committee on immunization practices (ACIP) has issued new recommenda- tions for the use of the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine for adolescent and adult popula- tions in the United States. Tdap vaccine for adolescents became available in 2005 af- ter years of recommending TD (tetanus and diphthe- ria) for adolescents and adults. In 2006 new recom- mendations extended to health care personnel and persons in contact with children under 12 months. It is now recommended that adolescents 11 thru 18 years and adults 19 thru 64 years get a Tdap booster, fol- lowed by Td boosters at recommended intervals. Tdap vaccine protects against three serious dis- eases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, which are each caused by specific bacteria. The bacteria that cause diphtheria and pertussis, are spread from per- son to person though airborne droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. The bacteria that cause tetanus enter the body through cuts, scratches or wounds. Infection from diphtheria causes a thick cov- ering in the back of the throat that can lead to breath- ing problems, paralysis, heart failure and, in some cas- es, death. Pertussis causes severe coughing spells and vomiting. It can cause weight loss, rib fractures from intense coughing, pneumonia and hospitalization due to complications. Tetanus causes painful tighten- ing and paralysis of the muscles throughout the body. This can impact the ability to breath and can cause a locking of the jaw so the affected person cannot open his/her mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in two out of every ten cases. These are very serious ill- nesses that caused many deaths prior to the advent of vaccines. Td vaccine has been used for many years in adults and adolescents as a booster. The new vaccine now has the added protection of pertussis. There is good reason for this change. For years we assumed that childhood immunizations with pertussis offered lifetime protection. In 2004 there were 24,000 cases of pertus- sis. More than 8,000 of these cases were among ado- lescents, and over 7,000 cases were in adults. Two in 100 adolescents and five in 100 adults end up in the ing for men and women. I want to remind everyone hospital with complications. In recent years, the in- that men get breast cancer too. Yes, men have breast crease in outbreaks of pertussis in adolescents and tissue. Of the estimated 209,060 new cases of inva- adults has lead to the creation of this new vaccine. It sive breast cancer diagnosed in the United States this is important to be aware that there can be side effects year, nearly 2000 will be men, according to the Ameri- and risks associated with any vaccine, and the vaccine can Cancer Society. Men need to be aware of the may be contraindicated in some individuals. For more signs of breast cancer. These can appear as a lump or information on Tdap talk to your health care provider. thickening in breast tissue, changes to the skin cover- While we are on the subject of vaccines, flu season ing your breast including dimpling, puckering, redness is just around the corner and it is time to get your an- or scaling, changes in the nipples such as redness, nual flu shot. Everyone is aware of flu season but there scaling, the nipple turning inward and nipple dis- still can be misinformation and confusion about the flu charge. If these signs occur, see your health care and flu vaccine. Flu is a contagious respiratory infec- provider right away. Men can have diagnostic studies, tion. It is caused by a virus and can cause mild to se- including mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsy, just vere illness. In some cases, it can lead to complica- as women do. There are men who have had lumpec- tions and even death. tomies, mastectomies, chemotherapy and radiation. The flu virus is thought to be spread by airborn They can have genetic markers for breast cancer in droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze their families, which put them at higher risk. As with or talk. The flu virus can be passed to others before women, early detection is critical. Men should have the infected person even knows they are sick. Most annual breast tissue exams as part of their physicals. people who are infected may be able to infect others I know that I have covered a lot today. If you have one day before symptoms occur and up to seven days questions, talk to your health care provider. When after becoming ill. Symptoms of the flu can include one searching the WEB for health information, please re- or all of the following: fever, cough, sore throat, mus- member that there is a lot of inaccurate information on cle aches, headaches, fatigue. The symptoms can be the “world wide web”. For reliable information go to very similar to those experienced with the common websites such as familydoc.org and mayoclinic.com cold and other upper respiratory infections. People or, the websites listed below. with certain chronic medical illnesses, older people, For more information on vaccines and male breast pregnant women and young children are more vulner- cancer go to the following reputable websites: able. http://www.cdc.gov, www.cancer.org Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. As always, I look forward to your questions and Complications of the flu can include bacterial pneumo- feedback. To contact me, email: health@the-indepen nia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and dent.net . worsening of chronic illnesses. Flu season can begin as early as October with flu ill- nesses peaking in January. The flu vaccine Columbia Health District- shots: www.flu.oregon.gov is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The vaccine comes in two Public Health Authority will be 800-978-3040. forms. One form is an injection (shot) and providing walk-in flu shot clinics the other form is a nasal spray. The nasal on October 22 and 29 from 9 Columbia spray form is recommended for use in a.m.-noon and 2-4:00 p.m. healthy people ages 2-49 years of age Vaccinations will cost $10 this County who are not pregnant. As with any vaccine, year. Oregon Health Plan Mental Health there can be side effects and contraindica- (OHP) will be billed in lieu of 800-294-5211 tions in certain people. It is important that the $10 charge for those in- you take immunizations seriously as they sured by OHP. The location of ----------------- are critical to the prevention of serious ill- the flu shot clinics is Columbia Suicide Health District-Public Health nesses and their complications. October is Breast Cancer awareness Authority, 2370 Gable Road, Hotline month, so I would be remiss to St. Helens, which is behind 1-800- not mention the importance of Safeway and across the street 784-2433 routine breast cancer screen- from St. Helens High School. Flu vaccine is an effective or way to protect you and your 1-800-273- family from the flu virus. For TALK(8255) those who have private insur- ance or Medicare, contact your ----------------- provider or pharmacist. Domestic Abuse Seasonal and H1N1 vac- cines are combined in one shot Hotline this year and the Centers for 503-397-6161 Disease Control and Preven- or tion advises everyone 6 months and older to get the flu 866-397-6161 shot. For the most current infor- ----------------- mation about flu, visit the Cen- Military Helpline ters for Disease Control and Prevention site 888-HLP-4-VET www.cdc.gov/flu . For informa- 503-901-1705 (888-457-4838) tion about where to get flu Columbia Co. flu shot clinics set
