It’s Time for Your Flu Shot!

It’s that time of year again. Flu season is upon us. With an added risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to be vaccinated for influenza. Healthcare professionals and public health officials alike recommend as many people as possible get the flu shot this year.

The flu shot will not protect you from the coronavirus but it will mean you are less likely to get the flu even if you do have COVID. Influenza and COVID have similar symptoms, such as fever, body and muscle aches, and cough. Both are contagious respiratory illnesses. Because the symptoms of COVID and flu are similar, testing may be necessary to determine which disease you have. Go here to learn more about the similarities and differences between COVID-19 and influenza.

Getting vaccinated against the flu also means you are less likely to be hospitalized with flu and there will be more resources available for people who are hospitalized with COVID.

Who should get a flu shot?

Every person over the age of six months should receive a yearly flu shot. If you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system, this is even more important.

When should I get a flu shot?

Now!! The start of flu season is the best time to get vaccinated. It takes up to two weeks to develop antibodies that protect you against influenza so the sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner you will be protected.

Shouldn’t I wait to get vaccinated until the flu hits my community?

Since it takes two weeks to develop immunity, you might not be protected if you wait until cases of flu begin circulating in the community.

If I get my flu vaccine now, will it wear off?

Antibodies against flu last approximately six months, so getting vaccinated early gives you the most protection for the duration of the flu season.

Is the flu vaccine safe?

YES. According to the Centers for Disease Control, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received the flu vaccines over the past 50 years, and there has been extensive research supporting the safety of seasonal flu vaccines. Each year, the CDC works closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other partners to ensure the highest safety standards for flu vaccines.

Will the flu vaccine give me the flu?

NO. The vaccine may cause mild side effects such as soreness or redness at the vaccination site or headache and fever. These side effects are NOT the flu and IF you experience them at all, they are usually mild and last only 1-2 days.

Is the flu really that serious?

Yes. Every year hundreds of thousands of Americans are hospitalized with influenza which can have serious consequences such as pneumonia and even death. For those who are most vulnerable – young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease – getting the flu is particularly serious.

What can I do to protect myself and my family?

Get a flu vaccine. Wash your hands. Stay home when you are sick. Avoid crowds and remain at least six feet apart from others. Wear a mask when in public.

How much does it cost?

Flu vaccine is covered by most insurance companies with no out-of-pocket cost. Please call the Family Health Clinic at (618) 468-6800 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Flu shot available now at the L&C Family Health Clinic. Call (618) 468-6800 or visit www.lc.edu/fhc for more info.

September 25, 2020 0

Five Reasons Why Immunizations are Important

IMmunizations are IMportant

Here are five reasons why:

1. Immunizations can save your life.

Due to the advances in medicine, diseases that used to injure or kill thousands, such as polio and smallpox, have now been eliminated. If a shot can save your life, isn’t it worth your time and effort to be vaccinated?

2. Vaccination is safe and effective.

The development of vaccines include rigorous testing and review to prove their safety and efficacy. Comprehensive scientific studies have not found a link between vaccination and autism. If a vaccine won’t hurt you and has been proven to protect you, why not get it?

3. Immunizations protect the people you care about.

Vaccinations not only protect you but also protect people you come in contact with such as babies who are too young to be immunized, and others who may have a weakened immune system, or who cannot be vaccinated. If a shot can protect you and protect your loved ones, isn’t it worth it?

4. Immunizations save your family time and money.

Sick children must be kept out of school or daycare. A prolonged illness can take a financial toll due to missed work, medical bills, or long-term disability. Vaccines are usually covered under most health insurance plans or are available low-cost from the Health Department. If a shot can prevent pain and suffering from illness and save you money in terms of medical bills and missed work or school, isn’t it worth your investment?

5. Immunization protects future generations.

Diseases that caused widespread illness and death have been reduced or eliminated due to vaccines. If a shot can protect the future of your children, grandchildren, and the world, won’t you please get vaccinated?

Who Needs Vaccines?

Babies need routine vaccination at developmental milestones.
School-age children need vaccination prior to entering kindergarten, in 6^th grade, and before they graduate from high school.
Teenagers need vaccination to protect them from Meningitis and the Human Papilloma Virus (that can cause cancer.)
Adults need a Tetanus vaccine every 10 years.
Seniors need vaccines to protect them from Shingles and Pneumonia.
And EVERYONE needs an annual FLU shot!!

Summer is the perfect time to update your vaccines. The Family Health Clinic can help you determine which vaccines you require and help your children get ready for school with a physical. Please call or come by today. We are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Fobes 1525.

We care for your health!

July 5, 2018 0

Seven Things to do when the FLU BUG Bites

You got your flu shot early; you carry hand sanitizer in your pocket, and you cross to the other side of the street anytime someone sniffles, but somehow you managed to get bitten by the FLU BUG!

NOW, WHAT?

First of all, it’s important to distinguish between true influenza and other garden variety illnesses.

Influenza is NOT a:

stomach virus characterized by vomiting and diarrhea
cold characterized by sniffling, sneezing and sore throat
sinus infection characterized by head congestion, drainage, and sinus pain and pressure

Influenza is a highly contagious upper respiratory virus characterized by chills, fever, coughing and body aches.

What can I do?

There’s really no cure for influenza and most times the disease runs its course.

You may want to see your medical provider for Tamiflu (oseltamivir), Rapivab (peramivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) to help ease the symptoms and lessen the severity of the disease.

Keep in mind that antiviral medications may not be effective unless taken within the first 48 hours of coming down with the flu. Antiviral medications often are expensive (over $100 per prescription) and may not be covered by your insurance.

There are other things you can do to ease your symptoms and speed your recovery:

1. STAY HOME AND GET PLENTY OF REST.

The reason flu spreads so rampantly is not only because it is highly contagious but also that often people keep going to school or work or out in public.

When you have the flu, you are sick and you need to rest for several days while your body battles the virus. Stay home until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

2. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS.

Drinking fluids keeps your respiratory system hydrated and turns that nasty, thick mucus into a thin liquid you can cough up and spit out.

Oftentimes, staying hydrated is the key to keeping a viral infection from turning into a bacterial infection that requires a trip to the doctor and antibiotics.

3. TREAT FEVER AND BODY ACHES WITH ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN.

You’ll feel better and rest easier if you can keep fever and body aches under control.

NEVER give aspirin to anyone under the age of 19 because of its link to Reye’s syndrome, a serious disease that can cause brain and liver damage.

4. TAKE CARE OF YOUR COUGH.

Calm your cough with an over the counter expectorant which thins mucus so you can cough it out.

A cough suppressant will help give you a break from all that hacking. Try a lozenge to soothe your raw throat and quiet your cough.

5. GET SOME STEAM.

Turning on a hot shower to allow your bathroom to fill with steam is a good way open your airways, ease congestion and make it easier to breathe.

6. RUN A HUMIDIFIER.

Try a cool humidifier to keep the air moist to ease congestion and coughs. Warm humidifiers promote the growth of mold and bacteria.

Remember to keep your humidifier clean.

7. BE KIND TO YOURSELF.

Now is the time to take care of yourself. Surround yourself with comfort. Special pillows, blankets, food, drink, books and movies may help you feel better and speed healing.

The Family Health Clinic cares for you and your health.

Call us at 618-468-6800 or come by Fobes 1525 to find out how we can help you. We are open Monday—Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm for your convenience.

January 5, 2018 0

8 Lies You Tell Your Doctor (and why you shouldn’t)

When we see our Health Care Provider, we are tempted to stretch the truth, sugar-coat the facts, or outright lie about our health but the truth is we are only hurting ourselves.

Your healthcare provider needs to know the facts about your health and cannot help you to the best of her ability if she does not know what you may be concealing from her.

Here are the 8 most common lies we tell our doctors (and why we should be telling the truth).

1. I never binge drink.

Alcohol consumption can skew test results and can lead to disease. Being honest with your healthcare provider can prompt her to monitor your liver function, cholesterol, and be aware of your additional health risks.

2. I no longer smoke.

Lying to your doctor about your smoking habits may seem like a good way to avoid a lecture but your health care provider needs to know that you use tobacco or nicotine. These drugs interact with other medications and your smoking habits affect pregnancy, lung disease, etc. Besides, she can help you quit smoking by prescribing medication to help you quit.

3. I eat healthily.

I eat healthy….except on the days ending in “Y”. Being honest about your weakness for a daily donut helps your doctor manage your cholesterol more effectively. Your health care provider is only human and may have her own dietary weaknesses. Your diet matters to her and she can help you manage your eating habits if you are honest.

4. I work out every day.

Tell the truth about your exercise habits. It will help your medical provider develop a strategy to keep you active and healthy.

5. I have sex with only one person.

Your medical provider’s job is to help guard your health not pass judgment on your morals. Being honest about the number of sex partners you have might help explain some of the diseases you have and alerts your provider to tests you may need.

6. I don’t take drugs.

If you use illicit drugs, it can be dangerous for you to withhold this information from your medical provider. Illicit drugs often interfere and interact with your prescribed medications not to mention the problems of addiction and the resulting consequences to your health. Your healthcare provider can help you get treatment for an addiction.

7. I don’t use supplements or take Over the Counter medications.

Even vitamins and natural supplements can interfere with medications your health care provider has prescribed. Some can be dangerous to mix with medications. It is always best to share any information about OTC medications.

8. I take my medication as prescribed.

Almost half of all chronically ill patients do not take their medications as prescribed. If you are having problems with the medication, tell your doctor, and perhaps she can change your prescription. If the problem is the cost, your health care provider can help you find an affordable alternative or locate financial resources to help pay for your prescription.

The bottom line

Talk to your healthcare provider. Be honest. It’s in your best interest. The Family Health Clinic is available to help you meet your healthcare needs. We are open Monday—Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Please call (618) 468-6800 or come by Fobes 1525 for more information.

Source

Web MD

December 1, 2017 0

It’s Time For Your Flu Shot

It’s that time of year again – time to get your flu shot!

Did You Know?

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in your body that protect against flu, so it’s important to get vaccinated NOW before flu season begins. Influenza is a contagious disease that spreads easily by coughing, sneezing and direct contact with an infected person.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

Can the flu shot make you sick?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

Since there is no live flu virus in the flu vaccine, it cannot cause you to get sick with the flu.

The flu vaccine can keep you from getting the flu, make the flu less severe if you do get it, and keep you from spreading the flu to your family and friends.

What can happen if I get the flu?

Symptoms of the flu are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. Each year, thousands of people in the United States die from the flu and many more are hospitalized.

I’m ready. Where can I get vaccinated?

Flu shots are available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Lewis and Clark Community College Family Health Clinic. Community members as well as anyone on campus can come in and see us. No appointment is necessary and there is no co-pay with most insurances. If you do not have insurance, the cost is $25.

Please call (618) 468-6800 for more information. Don’t forget to bring a photo ID and your insurance card.

Main illustration image source

October 13, 2017 0

Time for a Check-Up

Physicals are often required prior to starting a new job, playing a sport, or starting a program of study. However, physicals are also important for health maintenance.

The reasons we need physicals are to:

screen for medical issues
assess our risk for future disease
encourage us to adopt a healthy lifestyle
update our vaccines
give us a chance to get to know your provider in advance of illness

Even if you think you are healthy, you still need to be screened for various diseases. Some diseases such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol often have no symptoms and the only way to tell you have these diseases is by tests and check-ups.

It is recommended that adults be screened for:

Hypertension – (high blood pressure) every 3-5 years.

High Cholesterol – every 5 years.

Diabetes – if your blood pressure is more than 135/80 or your BMI (Body Mass Index) is more than 25.

Additionally, an eye exam is recommended every two years.

A dental exam is recommended twice per year for healthy adults.

At your exam, your medical provider should check your height, weight, and Body Mass Index. She may also ask you about depression; diet and exercise; your sexual health; and alcohol, tobacco and drug use. She may remind you about safety issues such as wearing a seat belt and not texting while driving. These are important components of maintaining your health.

Here’s a helpful check list of things to do before your next check-up.

The Family Health Clinic offers school and sport physicals, camp physicals, work physicals, DOT physicals, program physicals and general wellness exams. We want to help you maintain your health, and we are here to treat you when you are ill. Please call 618-468-6800 or stop by today to see our medical providers.

September 11, 2017 0

Sustaining Your Summer Health

We all know when summer time is around the corner, and no, I’m not talking about the sun, warm weather or the April showers. I am talking about the bombarding of articles about getting your summer body ready or jumpstart your bikini body.

If you’re like me you will read these articles, say to yourself, “Oh I can do that! It will be so easy!” only to fall off the bandwagon a few short weeks later. Also, advertisements of cheaper gym memberships and sales on exercise trackers seem to pop up everywhere, and you think to yourself if I can track how much exercise I’m getting I will stick with it. I know where my exercise tracker is and it is not on my wrist.

While we should love the skin we are in, there is nothing wrong with becoming healthier for you! The best thing you can do for your body is avoid crash diets or fad workouts popular on the internet. These diets and workout are effective for short periods, but they adjust how your body stores calories in the future and can make it more difficult to lose weight. (1) Yes, I know personal trainers can be expensive, yes, it is hard to go to the gym every day, and yes most of us do not want to eat a salad when there is a perfectly good cheeseburger available.

But do not despair as there are resources available to help you! Having a health care professional assess and educate you on your nutritional needs and fitness is a great start! (2) These health care professionals are trained to help you get started and are readily available here at the Lewis and Clark Community College Family Health Clinic.

Family Health Clinic education and prevention offerings include:

Nutrition
Fitness
Substance Abuse (tobacco, alcohol, drugs)
STI and Pregnancy Prevention
Smoking Cessation
Diabetes
Hypertension
Prevention of Heart Disease and Stroke
Proper Handwashing

I am sure some of you are thinking, I already know about my health and what I should be eating, but unless you have talked to a health professional, you can never be 100% sure. So, instead of just being “bikini body ready,” why not set yourself up for success with year-round healthy living and contact the Family Health Clinic today?

Image Source

June 15, 2017 0

7 Things You Never Knew about Men’s Health

In honor of Men’s Health Week here are 7 facts brought to you by your very own Family Health Clinic!

1. STDs can affect male fertility.

Think you might like to have children someday? Though many of the most common STDs cause no symptoms in men they can have long-lasting effects on male potency. One of the most common STDs is Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, also known as “the clap.” This particular disease is easily treated but can cause urethritis, which can lead to male sterility (1).

2. Your mother isn’t (completely) to blame for your hair loss.

One long-held myth states that hair loss is passed strictly on the mother’s side. This was based on limited genetic studies that showed a strong influence on the X-Chromosome. A newer study showed that male pattern baldness has over 200 genetic markers that span the entire genome (2).

3. Men get breast cancer.

Many people don’t realize that men can get breast cancer just as women can. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that for 2017 more than 2,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men and that about 460 will die from breast cancer. The American Cancer Society states that a man’s risk of developing breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000 (3). How to perform a breast self-exam for men

4. Testicular cancer is much more common.

A man’s chances of developing testicular cancer are much higher, about 1 in 263. Also unlike many other cancers, you are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age. In fact, this cancer is mainly a disease of young and middle-aged men. This cancer is usually able to be successfully treated and men can do their part by performing regular self exams (4). How to Perform a Testicular Cancer Self Exam

5. Erectile Dysfunction is linked to heart disease.

Erectile Dysfunction has been called a “canary in a coal mine” for its link to future problems including heart attack and stroke. This means that men wanting a longer and more satisfying love life and life, in general, should take steps when they are younger to protect their heart including proper diet and exercise (5).

6. Men who regularly view pornography are more likely to be depressed.

The science is unclear on if depression leads to more viewing of pornography, or if viewing pornography leads to depression. However, the data is clear that men who view porn regularly score almost three times higher on depression scales than men who don’t (6).

7. Suicide remains a leading cause of death for young men in their 20’s.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death for young men in their 20’s. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal feelings there is help. Schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional, go to the Emergency Room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 (7).

If you would like to know more about any of these topics, you can stop by or call the Lewis and Clark Family Health Clinic directly.

June 14, 2017 0

Hello Students!

Welcome to the Student Body, a blog managed by your very own Lewis and Clark Family Health Clinic. This blog will not only inform you of what the clinic has to offer but also will talk about a variety of health topics. These topics will not only be about your health in a medical sense but also mental and dental.

The Family Health Clinic services the community and provides services to students, these services include treating acute and chronic health conditions, health promotion and preventive care.

Nurse practitioners and other health care members can provide health examinations, lab tests, treatment of illnesses and some vaccinations. They accept a variety of insurances and even have discounts for those who pay with cash.

From diabetes awareness to mental health to getting physically fit, this blog will cover health related issues and be an extension of the clinic by providing education to L&C students. While this blog will provide you with health information, you can always go to the clinic, located on L&C’s Godfrey campus in Fobes 1522, to receive more information or stop in for any of the services it provides.

May 31, 2017 0