The coronavirus, now called Covid-19, that originated in China last fall, is spreading fairly rapidly and somewhat surreptitiously. It likely is now in the US Northwest. This infection can be serious and cause for self-protection, even though many cases are mild. I update the status and summarize what you can do to protect yourself and your family in this almost unprecedented viral disease outbreak.
A new respiratory virus, coronavirus 2019-nCoV, appeared late last year in China. It is spreading. While cause for concern and preventive action, this does not appear to be cause for panic.
NDMA now contaminates ranitidine (Zantac), a common OTC antacid tablet. This is the same chemical that contaminated drugs for blood pressure.
Recent deaths from lung failure related to using vaporized nicotine or marijuana are of great concern. Do not use “vaping” products.
Problems with NDMA contamination of antihypertensive medications such as valsartan continue. You should contact your pharmacy and find out exactly what safe alternatives they currently have so that we can authorize an appropriate substitute.
Measles is making a comeback because of growing failure to immunize all children with the MMR vaccine, which has been available for almost five decades. Measles is serious. We have checked and everyone in Orchard Health Care should be protected.
Low-dose aspirin appears to have little if any benefit in primary prevention of vascular events in older patients while inducing more frequent serious bleeding episodes based on good recent studies. We will advise many (but not all) of you now taking baby aspirin to stop.
The sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of the face. When the lining is infected, the extra mucus produced causes a stuffy nose, pain in the face and yellow or green discharge. Sinusitis is really common in winter. Most cases are viral.
Influenza killed almost 80,000 people in the US last year, more than opioid overdoses, more than breast cancer, more than car accidents. The flu vaccine works and is benign. Get your flu shot with us before Thanksgiving!
Shingrix is highly effective against shingles infections, but has meaningful side effects in terms of sore arms and also fever and systemic symptoms that may result in missed work for 2 days or so. In addition, supply is problematic and back ordered. We are now unsure when to expect we will have adequate supply, possibly not till New Year’s.