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Healthcare Provider Information |
Influenza (Flu) Information
H1N1
Address:
Garrett Co. Health Dept.
1025 Memorial Drive
Oakland, MD 21550
Main Phone:
301-334-7777
or 301-895-3111
FAX: 301-334-7701
See department pages for individual phone numbers
E-Mail Webmaster
Alerts: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Previous Alerts
Notes: July-August 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Previous Notes
At the 2, 4 & 6 month-old visits, the infant can expect only one or two shots, and one oral vaccine. Pentacel is now available through VFC, and protects the infant with a single injection which includes diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio (types 1,2,& 3), and hemophilus influenza, type b. The second needed shot would be hepatitis B at a couple of visits, and the oral vaccine is rotavirus.
Medical Assistance in Maryland : Expanded in July 2008
This past year, the legislature established an expansion of medical assistance for the parents of MA children. It is being funded by the increase in the tobacco tax. The table below summarizes the differences between the current PAC and the new FMA programs:
(PAC)
(Maryland Children's Health Insurance Program)
Infected with Insanity: Could Microbes Cause Mental Illness?
Many researchers are investigating the possibility that childhood or even adult infections could cause psychiatric conditions by triggering an autoimmune reaction. Certain infections, or interventions stirring up the immune system, may trick the immune system into attacking brain cells. To review a good summary of recent research findings in this area, read the latest Clinical Letter from WMHS by Dr. Manasse. Click here.
Tina Turner has recently accepted the position of Patient Navigator for Allegany & Garrett Counties. She formerly worked for the American Cancer Society as our district American Cancer Society manager. She will be meeting with individual doctors, and our hospital, to learn how she can help our patients get the best cancer care. Although she has an office at WMHS Sacred Heart Campus and can be visited there, she may make regular visits to our county, and to WVUH, to achieve this goal. She also can give counseling, support, and advice by telephone. She can be reached at 301-723-6380.
Drug Abuse Treatment with Suboxone (Buprenorphine) in the Family Physician's Office
In follow up to the presentation at Grand Rounds, the Behavioral Health Department of the Garrett County Health Department is looking for family physicians with an interest in making this treatment available through their offices. The Health Department will provide counseling in conjunction with the physician's supervision of the medication. Opiate Abuse is becoming more prevalent in our area and, although this treatment option is far from perfect, it is more than what we have now in this county, and may help some to work themselves away from drug dependence.
The Department is also able to work with local physicians who choose to detox their patients at the hospital and then offer counseling support after detox.
Influenza- Seasonal & Pandemic
Although Avian Influenza cases seem to have slacked off (no new cases in humans reported world-wide for the past two months), the concern about a possible future pandemic continues and preparations are still being developed.
Along this line, seasonal vaccine production through private channels has been expanded, and significantly larger amounts of vaccine are to be expected this fall & winter Numerous lots have already been "released" and delivery is anticipated to begin at earlier dates. Production techniques, however, have not advanced yet and the time to produce a specific vaccine for any threatening "novel" strain would still require a lead time of 6-12 months.
What's new this flu season?
Immunization of ALL children 5-18 years now recommended.
Younger children (6mo.-4 years) should receive vaccine IF they have conditions which place them at special risk.
LAIV (Flumist) can now be used in healthy children and adults, ages 2-49, but should not be administered to "children aged <5 years with possible reactive airways disease, such as those who have had recurrent wheezing or a recent wheezing episode".
The components of the 2008-2009 vaccine are all new this year.
Oseltamivir and zanamivir (Tamiflu, Relenza) continue to be the recommended antivirals for treatment of seasonal influenza although some evidence of resistance has been documented to oseltamivir in strains of last year's seasonal virus.
Health Department Plans: Still to be developed, but we will be conducting public clinics as in past years, and will be working in some new data system utilization and patient flow procedures. These will be helpful in the case of a pandemic, with the need to serve larger numbers of individuals, to rapidly develop a data base of immunized individuals (or in theoretical circumstances, persons who have received prophylaxis or treatment with antivirals), and provide rapid collection of immunization eligibility criteria by risk status. We will keep you posted as to the extent of our LAIV (Flumist) offerings and the dates and locations of our clinics.
Regular Reports: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -Previous Reports
Infection Reports:
WMHS - updated Feb. 2008, GCMH updated August 2008
WMHS August 2008 Clinical Newsletter: Infected with Insanity: Could Microbes Cause Mental Illness?
References:
Advanced Directives/Living Wills
Quick Guideto Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Four Simple Things You Can Do to Protect You and Your family
GCMH Antibiogram, July 2006-June 2007
GCMH Antibiogram, July-December, 2007
Immunization Schedules and State Regulations
Maryland Lead Follow-Up Recommendations
