Healthcare

LAMC Presents Emergency Preparedness Talk Oct. 20

October 11, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Key Facts About Flu: Protect Yourself From Influenza

October 11, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Down with the flu. Courtesy photo

CDC News:

What is Influenza (also called Flu)?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Signs and Symptoms of Flu

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (very tired)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea,

Upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

October 10, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

JJAB News:

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training-openings available to the community!

The Los Alamos JJAB has space available in the Youth Mental Health First Aid training taking place Friday OR Saturday, October 27 or 28 at UNM-LA.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an evidence based, nationally recognized and accredited course that teaches adults who work with youth how to identify symptoms of different types of mental illness. As with any first aid class, there is an action plan to help a youth in crisis. Trainees learn how to assess the person for risk of harm

Who Should Get Vaccinated This Season?

October 10, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Who should get vaccinated for the flu? Nearly everyone over six months of age. Courtesy photo

CDC News:

Who should get vaccinated this season?

Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.

Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people. Read More

Common Misconceptions About Flu Vaccines

October 9, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

CDC News:

Can a flu shot give you the flu?

No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness.

Flu vaccines given with a needle are made in two ways:

the vaccine is made either with
- a) flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are therefore not infectious; or
- b) with no flu vaccine viruses at all (which is the case for recombinant influenza vaccine).

The most common side effects from the influenza shot are soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches also may occur.

In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get inactivated Read More

Special Blood Drive Slated For Tuesday

October 8, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Staff Report

Although blood supplies in Las Vegas, Nev., have been replenished, United Blood Services is once again sending its Bloodmobile to Los Alamos Tuesday, Oct. 10 in response to the requests and generosity of this community.

The Bloodmobile will be in the Smith’s Marketplace and community members can donate blood 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last week’s blood drive in the same location, which also was hosted by Smith’s received a huge response and members of the community were still offering to donate blood so UBS decided to host a second one.

Appointments may be made by calling Read More

Free Legacy Planning Workshop Oct. 21

October 6, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

LACF News:

Animal Protection of New Mexico, Animal Protection Voters, the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, and the Los Alamos Community Foundation are teaming up to offer a Practical Legacy Planning Workshop 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 21 at the Nature Center. The workshop will be presented by Susan M. Morrison, JD, CFP®, APMA®

RSVP to elizabeth@apnm.org or 505.933.1123.

The workshop will offer an opportunity to discover answers to estate planning questions and to begin the process of writing your own last will and testament.

Issues

LAMC Launches ‘Pink It Out Tuesday’ Campaign To Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 4, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Los Alamos Medical Center launched its first ‘Pink It Out Tuesday’ campaign today to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To honor those whose lives have been touched by this disease, not only are staff and officials wearing pink each Tuesday but they also painted all the speed bumps pink in the parking lot. Courtesy/LAMC

Dressed in pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, from left, Los Alamos Medical Center CFO Steve Winegeart, Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Wallace and CEO John Whiteside. Courtesy/LAMC Read More

STDs At Record High

October 2, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

CDC News:

More than two million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were reported in the United States in 2016, the highest number ever, according to the annual Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The majority of these new diagnoses (1.6 million) were cases of chlamydia. There were also 470,000 gonorrhea cases and almost 28,000 cases of primary and secondary syphilis – the most infectious stages of the disease. While all three of these STDs can be cured with antibiotics, if left undiagnosed and untreated, Read More