Happy New Year!
January 2019
January 2019
Our office is located on the northeast corner of South Boulevard and John R Road, just one mile west of William Beaumont Hospital and its ancillary services.
OUR ADDRESS:
Executive Place
1055 South Boulevard E. Suite 220
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
OUR PHONE NUMBERS:
(248)817-2230
(248) 817-2891 (fax)
WELCOME TO OUR PRACTICE!
We are Board Certified Physicians specializing in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. We see patients from birth to adulthood.
We look foward to caring for you and your family and encourage you to take an active part in your medical treatment plan.
Do you know someone looking for a new physician? If you like our practice please let others know. We are always accepting new patients and appreciate word of mouth and patient referrals. Thank you!
Questions are always welcome!
FLU SHOTS ARE IN!
The flu season is here.
Stay healthy this winter
GET YOUR FLU SHOT TODAY!
Fight the flu-call for an appointment today!
Why get a flu shot?
Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death Each year in the U.S., more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. Over the last 31 flu seasons, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates annual deaths ranging from a low of 3,000 to a high of 49,000 people.
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses and its complications. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. During recent flu seasons, between 80% and 90% of flu related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older.
Flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. During this time, flu viruses are circulating at higher levels in the U.S. population. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. A flu vaccine is needed every year because flu viruses are constantly changing. It’s not unusual for new flu viruses to appear annually, which is why the flu vaccine is reformulated each year to keep up with the flu viruses as they change.
When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.
ATTENTION PATIENTS WHO ARE 65 YEARS AND OLDER:
We Carry the High Dose Flu Vaccine!
It is the first flu vaccine specially formulated for people 65 years and older. As you get older, your immune system weakens. Therefore, you don't have as high an antibody response after receiving the traditional flu vaccine to help your body fight off the flu. Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is made for people 65+ to help promote a stronger immune response to the flu than a regular flu shot. Fluzone High-Dose vaccine has 4 times the antigen of a regular flu shot for a stronger immune response to the flu. This helps protect those 65+ from the flu and the dangerous complications that can come with it.
Flu complications can be especially devastating when you're 65 or older. Up to 90% of flu-related deaths and 60% of flu-related hospitalizations in the U.S. occur in people 65 or older. That's why it's important to take extra precautions to help protect yourself. So what can you do? Get vaccinated. It's the best way to help protect yourself from the flu virus and its complications.
Fluzone High-Dose vaccine may be covered with no co-payment or deductible under Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and private insurance policies.
Speak to your Doctor about wheter the High Dose Flu Vaccine is right for you.
DID YOU SWITCH TO AN HMO?
PLEASE BE SURE TO SELECT US AS YOUR DOCTORS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.
We will not able able to see you if we are not listed as your primary care physician. Call your insurance company to verify this.
Also, HMO's generally require a referral from the Doctor prior to seeing a specialist. Referrals take 7-10 days to process, so please call our office BEFORE you make an appointment to see a specialist. Find out more under Referrals on the Our Practice Tab.
THANK YOU!
.jpg)
WELCOME TO OUR
PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL
HOME
For more information go to:
VACCINES SAVE LIVES!
DON'T PUT YOUR YOUR BABY OR CHILD AT RISK-VACCINATE TODAY!
Vaccines given to infants and young children over the past two decades will prevent 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Doubts about vaccines safety and fading memories of vaccine-preventable diseases have contributed to a resurgence of nearly forgotten diseases such as measles, which was officially declared eradicated in the USA in 2000.
Numerous studies have debunked the notion that vaccines cause autism or other chronic diseases. Factual evidence shows that vaccines are some of the safest medications available, but rumors and conspiracy theories still spread.
Please speak to your Doctor if you have any questions or concerns about Vaccines. We follow AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) guidelines and recommendatons for vaccines.
go to mybeaumontchart.com
HAVE YOU ACTIVATED YOUR myBEAUMONTCHART?
View your medical information online from anywhere through Beaumont's myBeaumontchart electronic medical record.
Receive test results online
Review your medication
Review after visit summaries and discharge summaries
Access up to date health information
Now you can request proxy access for children and family members
Stay in touch and communicate with your physician.
Manage appointment and Hospital bills.
You can even request your Prescription Refills!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
SIGN UP TODAY AT:
(click here)
Or ask at our Front Desk!
Expecting
a Baby?
Congratulations!
Having a baby is a very exciting and rewarding experience! Choosing a pediatrician to care for your baby is an important decision. We hope you will consider our Practice when it comes time to make that choice. We are committed to providing excellent care to your child, from birth through adulthood and take great pride in providing the highest quality comprehensive care in a compassionate, friendly yet professional environment.
We are Board Certified Physicians specializing in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. As “MedPeds” Doctors, we completed a residency in both fields and are Board Certified to practice in both specialties. Our practice offers you a unique opportunity to provide your child with a physician who can continue to care for him or her throughout their life.
We still see and care for our patients at the Hospital, so we will be there for you and your new baby from the very first day.
In order to better familiarize yourself with our practice as you make this decision, we encourage you to make an appointment to meet with us at the office to answer any questions and learn about the services we offer.
We look forward to developing a relationship with you and your family to provide lifelong excellent care for all your medical needs.
Schedule your “prenatal consult" with one of our physicians today by calling our office at
(248) 817-2230
Do you know about the vaccine
recommended for adults 65 and older?
Prevnar 13® is recommended for all adults 65 years of age or older.
Adults 65 years of age or older are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease. Elderly patients are about 3 times more likely over the age of 65 to acquire community-acquired pneumonia (the prevalence rate 70 in 100,000). If you yourself have not already suffered from pneumonia at some point in your life, you probably know someone who has. It can be very serious, cause hospitalization, and possibly be fatal.
If you are over the age of 65, or if you know someone who is over the age of 65, take note of this new recommendation and take action.
Learn More:Get the facts here
Meningococcal Meningitis can spread quickly, and teenagers and young adults are at greatest risk.
Is your teen going off to college soon? Have they received their Menactra Booster? As you are busy checking off the dorm supply list make sure to add getting the vaccine to your to-do list.
So what is meningitis? Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective layer around the brain and spinal cord.This inflammation can be caused by a virus, a bacterium, or even a fungus.
- Viral meningitis is the most common form. It is serious but generally not life threatening, and it usually goes away in 7 to 10 days.
- Bacterial meningitis is rare, but it is very serious and potentially fatal. It includes meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease, can progress quickly. It can make an infant or teenager very sick and may even be life threatening. Meningococcal disease spreads just like the flu, passing from person to person through everyday activities. Some people carrying the bacteria never get sick, so they might pass it to others without knowing.
According to the CDC, teenagers and young adults are most likely to get meningitis. Research has shown that the following activities put teenagers and young adults at greater risk:
- Living in close quarters, such as college dormitories
- Being in crowded situations for prolonged periods of time (such as locker rooms)
- Sharing drinking glasses, water bottles, or eating utensils
- Kissing
- Staying out late and having irregular sleeping patterns, which weakens the immune system.
Meningococcal meningitis symptoms
Meningococcal meningitis can be difficult to diagnose because its most common symptoms – fever, headache, and muscle pain – may be similar to those of influenza (flu). The symptoms of meningitis can occur suddenly and include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Stiff neck or other muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Confusion
- Rash
- Seizures
Meningococcal disease is rare. But just how serious is it? Did you know that:
- Up to 1 in 5 survivors suffer brain damage, amputations, kidney damage, and more
- As many as 1 in 8 people who get the disease die from it
- The disease can kill a child in just 24 hours
If your child has symptoms – especially if they’ve been around someone with meningitis – contact a doctor immediately. When it comes to treating this potentially deadly disease, speed is essential.
Don’t take chances with meningitis.
You can’t monitor everything your kids do. But you can help protect your child against meningococcal disease and its potentially deadly complications with Menactra vaccine. Menactra is a safe and effective vaccine that helps protect against meningococcal disease.
Your child should receive their first Menactra vaccination at age 11 through 12 years, with a booster dose at age 16 through 18 years 16 years. Talk to your doctor to see if your child has been vaccinated or needs abooster or for any qustions you may have.
* information courtesy of www.menactra.com
Watch the video for more information
Millions of people get sick from norovirus each year. It causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea, and spreads quickly and easily to other people. If you think you have norovirus, stay hydrated and take steps to keep it from spreading. Norovirus is very contagious. When you are sick with norovirus, you can shed billions of virus particles in your vomit and poop. It only takes a few of these particles to make someone sick.
- You are most contagious when:
- you have symptoms of norovirus illness, especially vomiting
- during the first few days after you recover from norovirus illness. However, you may still be able to spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better.
- You Can Spread Norovirus in Many Ways
- If you are sick with norovirus, you can spread it to other people by having close contact, such as by caring for, preparing food, or sharing food or eating utensils with them.
- You can also spread norovirus to others by contaminating surfaces.
- Take Steps to Keep Norovirus from Spreading
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, and always before eating or preparing food.
- Handle and prepare food safely. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating. If you are sick with norovirus, do not prepare food for others while you have symptoms and for at least 2 days after symptoms go away.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces. After you vomit or have diarrhea, immediately clean up the entire area using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label. If no such cleaning product is available, you can use a solution made with 5 tablespoons to 1.5 cups of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
- Wash laundry thoroughly. Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may have vomit or poop on it. Handle items carefully—try not to agitate them
- If available, wear disposable gloves to handle soiled clothing or linens, and wash your hands after.
- Wash soiled items with detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length then machine dry them at the highest heat setting.
Norovirus illness is often called stomach flu or food poisoning. Norovirus is a germ that can cause foodborne illness (food poisoning). It is the most common germ that causes foodborne illness in the United States. Norovirus and flu may share some symptoms, but the flu is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus, not norovirus.
- Norovirus Symptoms Most people who get sick from norovirus will have these symptoms:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- nausea
- stomach pain
- Some people may also have a fever, headache, or body aches.
Norovirus can be more serious for young children, the elderly, and people with other health conditions. It can lead to severe dehydration, hospitalization and even death. Most people sick with norovirus get better in 1 to 3 days.
To Learn more to to https://www.cdc.gov/features/norovirus/index.html
LEARN MORE HERE
JANUARY IS CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Each year, about 12,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer and about 4,000 women die from it. Cervical Cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be successfully treated when it's found early. It is usually found at a very early stage through a Pap test.
Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has it. There are many types of the HPV virus and not all types cause cervical cancer. Most adults will have HPV at some point in their lives, but HPV usually causes no symptoms so you can't tell that you have it. For most women, HPV will go away on its own; however, if it does not, there is a chance that over time it may cause cervical cancer. That's why it's important for women to have regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.
Abnormal cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms. But you may have symptoms if those cell changes grow into cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include:
Abnormal cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms. But you may have symptoms if those cell changes grow into cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include:
- Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal, such as bleeding between menstrual periods, after sex, or after memopause.
- Pain in the lower belly or pelvis.
- Pain during sex.
- Vaginal discharge that isn't normal.
If you are age 26 or younger, you can get the HPV Vaccine (Gardasil), which protects against types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer.
All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Each year, about 12,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer and about 4,000 women die from it. Cervical Cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has it. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. Cervical cancer is highly preventable because screening tests and the Gardasil Vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are available.
All women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. Each year, about 12,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer and about 4,000 women die from it. Cervical Cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has it. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. Cervical cancer is highly preventable because screening tests and the Gardasil Vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are available.
JANUARY IS NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH!
Give Lifesaving Blood-Contact your local American Red Cross Today!
The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™
This January, as they have since 1970, the American Red Cross celebrates National Blood Donor Month and recognizes the lifesaving contribution of blood and platelet donors. As we begin the New Year, the Red Cross encourages individuals to resolve to roll up a sleeve to give this month and throughout 2016. The American Red Cross is the nation’s largest blood collection organization, supplying approximately 40 percent of the blood and blood products used in our country.
- Approximately 5.6 million blood donations are collected by the Red Cross each year.
- Roughly 3.3 million generous volunteer blood donors roll up a sleeve each year.
- More than 8 million transfusable blood products are distributed each year thanks to the generous donations.
- Patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers around the country receive Red Cross blood products.
Blood donation appointments can be made by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or to receive more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
learn more here
THE FACTS ABOUT HPV MAY SURPRISE YOU
WHAT IS HPV?
IT’S ABOUT CANCER. IT’S ABOUT DISEASES. AND IT CAN BE SERIOUS.
If you haven’t heard about the risks of HPV-related cancers and disease yet, it’s time you did. HPV (short for human papillomavirus) is a virus that can infect both males and females and cause potentially serious diseases.
There are approximately 14 million new HPV infections in the United States every year — about 50% of them in 15- to 24-year-olds. For most, HPV clears on its own. But, for others who don’t clear the virus, HPV could cause potentially serious diseases. Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict who will or won’t clear the virus. Understanding HPV and its possible consequences is the first step in helping your child be one less at risk for certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
THE FACTS DON’T LIE
Currently, there are about 79 million Americans infected with HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Each year, 14 million new infections occur in the United States and about half of the newly infected people are 15 to 24 years old.
Please speak to your Doctor about getting your teen the Gardasil Vaccine.
Get the Facts-Protect their future!
For more info go to https://www.gardasil9.com/
Learn More Here
DID YOU KNOW?
A new recommended vaccine to fight Shingles is now available for adults 50 years and older!
What You Need to Know About Shingles and the Shingles Vaccine
Shingles is a painful rash that usually develops on one side of the body, often the face or torso. The rash consists of blisters that typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clears up within 2 to 4 weeks. Some people describe the pain as an intense burning sensation. For some people, the pain can last for months or even years after the rash goes away. This long-lasting pain is called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and it is the most common complication of shingles. Your risk of getting shingles and PHN increases as you get older.
In the U.S., currently 1 million people get shingles every year, and about one out of every three people will get shingles in their lifetime. Shingles, also known as zoster or herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body and can reactivate years later and cause shingles.
A new shingles vaccine called Shingrix was licensed by the FDA in 2017. CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get two doses of Shingrix, 2 to 6 months apart. Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN. Shingrix is the preferred vaccine, over Zostavax®, a shingles vaccine in use since 2006.
Even people who have had shingles or previously got Zostavax can be vaccinated with Shingrix to prevent shingles and the complications caused by the disease.
To learn more speak to your Doctor