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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
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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