Author Archives: Sandwich Town Nurse

October 2022 Flu Clinics

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Flu clinics for residents 18 years and older will be held at The Human Services Building on 270 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, East Sandwich Ma.

WHEN:  Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 10AM-4PM

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 1:30PM-4PM

Starting September 26, 2022 appointments can be made by calling the Public Health Nursing Dept. at (508) 833-8020.  Please bring your insurance cards (including Medicare) with you.  You must wear a mask.

 

Covid Boosters

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If you are over 50, now is a good time to get your second booster.  The new subvariants that are now in the United States are BA4, BA5, and BA2.75.  These subvariants seem to be even more transmissible than the earlier viruses and perhaps more adept at evading the body’s immune system.  You can go online onto Vaxfinder.com to sign up for a shot at CVS or Stop and Shop here in Sandwich or you can go to Cape Cod Community College on any Sunday, 12noon-6P.  Although you can make an appointment you can also just walk in.  If you need help, you can call 211.  Getting your second booster now will not prevent you from receiving the new Covid vaccine when it comes out in the late fall.

Due to the high rates of Covid in Sandwich and on the Cape it is prudent to wear a CDC recommended mask when in a store, with a crowd of people outdoors, or any type of group gathering.

If you need a copy of your vaccinations go to:  myvaxrecords.mass.gov and follow the prompts.

Monkeypox

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Monkeypox: Get the Facts
  • Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus
  • Monkeypox can make you sick including a rash or sores (pox), often with an earlier flu-like illness
  • Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact including:
    • Direct contact with monkeypox rash, sores, or scabs
    • Contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox
    • Through respiratory droplets or oral fluids from a person with monkeypox
illustration of couple snuggling in bed
  • This contact can happen during intimate sexual contact including:
    • Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals or anus of a person with monkeypox
    • Hugging, massage, kissing, or talking closely
    • Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with monkeypox, such as bedding, towels and sex toys
  • We know the virus can be spread in fluid or pus from monkeypox sores, and are trying to better understand if virus could be present in semen, vaginal fluids or other body fluids
What Are the Symptoms?
illustration of 5 symptoms. fever, headache, backache, chills, rash
  • Early flu-like symptoms of monkeypox can include:
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Muscle aches and backache
    • Swollen lymph nodes
    • Chills
    • Exhaustion
  • A rash or sores, sometimes located on or near the genitals or anus, but sometimes in other areas like the hands, feet, chest, or face – sores will go through several stages before healing
  • Sores may be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus
  • Some people experience a rash or sores first, followed by other symptoms and some only experience a rash or sores
  • Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed – this can take several weeks
If You Have a New or Unexplained Rash, Sores, or Other Symptoms…
illustration of doctor with note pad
    • See your healthcare provider – if you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health clinic near you
    • When you see a healthcare provider for possible monkeypox, remind them that this virus is circulating in the community
    • Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been checked out
If You or Your Partner Have Monkeypox…
  • Follow the treatment and prevention recommendations of your healthcare provider
  • Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until all your sores have healed and you have a fresh layer of skin formed.
Examples of Monkeypox Rashes
Photo Credit: NHS England High Consequence Infectious Diseases Network
MonkeyPox Rash Collage
More Monkeypox Rash Photos
Photo credit: UK Health Security Agency
6 images of lesions to help identify monkeypox rash

 

PAXLOVID

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If you have been recently diagnosed with Covid you may want to discuss the antiviral drug Paxlovid with your doctor.  You need to begin taking it within 5 days of developing symptoms.  Maybe you did a home test, don’t have a primary doctor, or are having a hard time getting in touch with your doctor…here is a website you can use to be screened and receive the antiviral drug free of charge.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/free-telehealth-for-covid-19-treatment-with-paxlovid

Covid: Isolation and Quarantine 3/30/22

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New Quarantine and Isolation Calculator

CDC’s new COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation calculator takes the stress out of deciding when, and for how long, people with COVID-19 and close contacts need to stay home, get tested, and wear a well-fitting mask.

 

The calculator provides important information about what precautions people with COVID-19 and their close contacts can take to protect loved ones and prevent COVID-19 in their communities.

 

This online, mobile-friendly calculator provides a simple, easy-to-use way to help people follow CDC’s guidance and get customized information that applies to their unique situation.

Important Points about Covid19

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  1.  If you feel sick, isolate yourself in your room if possible until you are well.  It would be ideal to have your own bedroom and bathroom and not share towels, dishes, glasses, or utensils with others.  Do Not go to the supermarket or pharmacy.  If you are tested, stay in your home until you receive your results and then follow Sandwich Public Health Nursing and the Board of Health’s information on isolation and quarantine.  Remember, the virus can remain on surfaces for a couple of days so continue to clean frequently with FDA approved cleaners such as Clorox and Lysol.
  2. Call Public Health Nursing with any questions.  (508) 833-8020.  We can connect you with many resources in town.

What You Can Do To Prepare for Covid-19

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There are some basic interventions we can all do to mitigate our chances of contracting the Corona virus.

  1. Wash your hands frequently, do not touch your face until you wash your hands (Most people touch their faces 23 times a minute!)
  2. Sneeze or cough into your elbow or tissue.  Discard the tissue into a receptacle.
  3. Stay Home If You Are Sick

You can prepare your home as well.  Stock up on food supplies important to you such as frozen fruit, frozen vegetables, canned items, juices, tea, coffee, treats, pasta, rice, cereal, soup etc.  Remember, you may not be able to go to the supermarket for several weeks!  Also, do you have enough personal items, toothpaste, and shampoo?

Be sure you have adequate medications in your house/apartment so you do not have to go out if we find ourselves dealing with this virus.  (4 weeks supply would be ideal).  Also, if you use Tylenol, Ibuprofen, saline drops, etc, check your supply.

Check your basic items such as toilet paper, tissues, cleaning supplies (such as Lysol or Clorox wipes or spray).

 

Wuhan Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

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The 2019-nCoV is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.  It is a betacoronavirus with some similarities to the SARS virus of 2003.  The main symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breathe, although there have been cases with diarrhea and nausea, headache, and myalgias.  Human to human spread has now been documented.  Since this is a virus, antibiotics are not usually helpful and supportive care such as respiratory management and fluids, as well as isolation or quarantine, are being used.  Two antiviral medications (Remdesiver and lopinavir-ritonavir) are drugs currently being used as investigational antiviral therapy.

The outbreak began in Wuhan China in November or December and the first reported case was in December.  Although the Chinese government acted quickly to identify the virus and make it’s genetic sequencing available to other countries, many Chinese from Wuhan had already left the country for the Lunar New Year celebration with family.  Currently, there are 12 cases in the U.S. as well as cases in Asia and Europe.

The CDC has a protocol for monitoring patients with fever and respiratory symptoms who have traveled to Wuhan or been contacts of patients in any country who have been diagnosed with 2019 nCoV.

Currently, the CDC is advising people to:  wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; cough into your arm; stay home if you are ill.  (The same advice applies to protecting yourself from the flu).

 

FLU CLINICS

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Flu clinics for Sandwich residents 19 years and older are now scheduled for:

Friday, October 11, 2019                    9AM-12Noon       and         1PM-4PM

Wednesday, October 16, 2019           9AM-12Noon       and         1PM-4PM

Where:  Human Services Building   270 Quaker Meetinghouse Road,  East Sandwich

Most insurances are accepted (exceptions are United and Aetna).  Please bring all insurance cards including Medicare, Mass Health, and private insurances.

Self pay charge:   High dose Trivalent $45
Regular Quadrivalent $15
Check or exact cash
Appointments are necessary.  Please call (508) 833-8020 to schedule an appointment.  Those adults who will be having surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation prior to the clinics should call the office to make an earlier appointment if needed.