During flu season, everyone also needs to get their flu shot at least two weeks before meeting the new baby.

Adults need a whooping cough or pertussis vaccine (included in the Tdap vaccine) booster every 10 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pregnant women can pass protection from whooping cough to the baby before birth by getting the Tdap shortly after week 27 of their pregnancy — and no later than week 36.

Infants can’t get their own DTaP vaccine, which also covers whooping cough, until they are 2 months old, so it’s important for everyone to form a protective cocoon around the newborn by making sure they’re up to date on their shots.

“Whooping cough is very contagious and can be deadly for babies,” said Crystal D. Narcisse, M.D., internal medicine/pediatrics physician with Norton Community Medical Associates. “It’s typically spread through coughing or sneezing, and adults can spread the disease without even knowing they have it.”

A baby with whooping cough may not cough, but instead may gasp for air or stop breathing.

Any of these people who may be around the newborn should get updated for Tdap:

• Parents
• Siblings (children under age 7 get the DTaP vaccine)
• Grandparents
• Babysitters and nannies
• Other caregivers

Infectious diseases addressed by DTaP and Tdap vaccines

Both the DTaP and Tdap vaccines help protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. The difference is in their formulation. The DTaP vaccine is for children under age 7, while Tdap is for older children and adults.

Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is caused by a bacteria that triggers muscle contractions. The infection often causes the neck and jaw muscles to lock, causing difficulty swallowing and opening the mouth.

Diphtheria is another bacterial infection that can lead to difficulty breathing and upset the heart rhythm, and can be deadly.

Pertussis may begin like a common cold, but unlike a cold, the coughing can last for weeks or months. Symptoms usually develop within five to 10 days of contact with the bacteria. After a week or two of symptoms, infected people may develop uncontrolled coughing fits that cause them to make a “whoop” sound once they’re finally able to get a breath. The severe cough can lead to vomiting and exhaustion.

While babies often don’t cough with a whooping cough infection and often appear to have a common cold, pertussis can cause them to struggle to breathe — and they can turn blue because of the lack of oxygen. This loss of oxygen is what can lead to death.

Teens and adults tend to have a milder pertussis infection, especially if they’ve had the Tdap vaccination. Those with a milder infection often don’t have the characteristic “whoop” at the end of a coughing fit.

Teens and adults can have severe whooping cough cases, especially those who haven’t been vaccinated. The severe cough can keep them up at night.

The whooping cough vaccine is effective, but doesn’t always prevent illness entirely. Those who are vaccinated, but still get sick usually aren’t as ill as those who aren’t vaccinated. 

Those who have the pertussis vaccination but still get whooping cough usually don’t have the cough as long, and coughing fits are less common. Difficulty breathing and experiencing cyanosis (turning bluish because of low blood oxygen) are less common in children who’ve had the whooping cough vaccine.

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While fever is often thought of as a common flu symptom, not everyone who gets the flu runs a temperature.

In addition to fever, common early flu symptoms include:

• Chills
• Body aches and pains
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Rhinitis — stuffy, runny nose and sneezing
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

Early flu symptoms easily can be confused with a common cold, but while cold symptoms come on gradually — flu typically will affect you fast.

Flu symptoms alone aren’t enough for a diagnosis, and they can overlap quite a bit with COVID-19 symptoms. The Food and Drug Administration earlier this year approved an over-the-counter home test for flu and COVID-19. It works much the same way as existing home COVID-19 tests, using a gentle swab of the nostril to collect a sample, and can give you a result in about half an hour.

The test can detect influenza A, influenza B and COVID-19.

“For many, seasonal flu can come and go without the need to see a medical provider,” said Mary Rademaker, M.D., medical director of Norton Immediate Care Centers. “But it can be very serious for many others, and for those who are at risk of severe flu complications, we can prescribe an antiviral medication.”

What to do if you have the flu

The flu is contagious and, in some people, can be deadly. Older people, young children and people with certain health conditions can develop severe illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps if you have the flu.

• Stay home and rest.
• Avoid close contact with people in your house who aren’t sick.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
• Use over-the-counter medications to treat fever, cough and other symptoms.
• Call your doctor if you develop severe symptoms, including a high fever, are pregnant or have a condition that puts you at higher risk of a complication, like asthma. Your health care provider may prescribe an antiviral drug.

Related: When does the flu warrant emergency care?

If you have a fever, you can still spread the flu virus for about 24 hours after your temperature comes down. Stay home for another day after your fever is gone without taking any fever-reducing medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

If you haven’t gotten the flu vaccine, it’s likely not too late to protect yourself and those around you. Flu season runs from fall through spring, and the flu shot takes effect after about two weeks. Even if it’s early March, you can still benefit from the vaccine’s protection.

The vaccine doesn’t always prevent you from getting sick from the flu virus, but it is very effective at reducing your symptoms or preventing you from developing flu complications if you do catch it.

The post Early flu symptoms may include fever, but not always appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

“It’s important to know when you need care and the best place to get it,” said Steven T. Hester, M.D., MBA, senior vice president and chief clinical and strategy officer, Norton Healthcare. “This will ensure that our care teams can provide the most efficient care and keep your wait time down.”

If you think you may have the flu, you are otherwise healthy and you’re not having difficulty breathing, your symptoms could very well be managed at home with over-the-counter medicines, rest and fluid.

If you know you were exposed to COVID-19 but are not having any symptoms, continue to monitor your health. If you develop symptoms, start with a home test. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer more guidance on when to test after exposure to COVID-19.

“It’s also important to understand that you should never delay getting medical care if you are having a serious issue,” Dr. Hester said. “You can always contact your primary care provider for direction, especially if it is in regard to a pre-existing condition.”

COVID-19 and flu vaccines continue to be the best way to prevent severe illness from these two viruses.

Flu

You may schedule a Norton eCare appointment to talk to a provider virtually or by phone. If it is determined that a test is necessary, you will have the option of visiting Norton Healthcare Express Services for a drive-thru test. This option is only available with a physician order. Visit NortonHealthcare.com/Flu for more information.

Care for COVID-19, flu and other infections

Care from your home

Norton eCare offers video and phone visits for conditions that are not complex, emergency or life-threatening situations.

These include:

• Eye, nose and throat issues, such as pinkeye
• Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash, insect bites and poison ivy
• Urinary issues

Same-day care

If you need same-day care and are unable to get to your primary care provider, get urgent care at a Norton Immediate Care Center or a Norton Prompt Care at clinic for COVID-19 or Flu testing and treatment or other minor health issues including:

• Cough
• Earache
• Fever
• Flu
• Minor animal bites
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Minor burns or cuts
• Minor injuries
• Pinkeye
• Rash or skin irritation
• Sore throat
• Urinary tract infection
• Suspected broken bone (Norton Immediate Care Center only)

Emergency care

Serious issues requiring care in an emergency department are:

• Chest pain
• Stroke symptoms (numbness in face, arm or leg; trouble speaking; sudden severe headache)
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
• Major injury or head trauma
• Seizure (for those not diagnosed with epilepsy)
• Severe shortness of breath or asthma attack
• Severe burn or wound
• Shock
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Vomiting blood

If you have a concern that you think is an emergency and your symptoms are life-threatening, call 911 or go to an emergency department right away.

The post Getting testing and care for the flu and COVID-19 appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to blindness, limb amputation, kidney failure, and vascular and heart disease. Getting screened before signs and symptoms develop leads to earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Who should get a diabetes screening?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for abnormal blood glucose and Type 2 diabetes in adults 40 to 70 years old who are overweight or obese, and repeating testing every three years if results are normal.

“People at a higher risk for developing diabetes should be screened starting earlier and more often,” said Natasha E. Railton, M.S., RDN, CDCES, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist with Norton Healthcare.

READ MORE: Frequent eye exams are key to identifying and treating diabetic retinopathy before it causes blindness

The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for Type 2 diabetes annually in patients 45 years and older, or in patients younger than 45 years with major risk factors.

Which screening is used to detect diabetes?

“The main diabetes screening tool we use is the A1C,” said Natasha. The A1C screening is a simple blood test that measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months. It’s one of the commonly used tests to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, and is also the main test to help you and your health care team manage your diabetes. Higher A1C levels are linked to diabetes complications, so reaching and maintaining a healthy A1C is important if you have diabetes.

For the A1C test, a health care provider takes a blood sample. This is done by inserting a needle into a vein. The blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. Results are usually available in a few minutes.

What does the A1C screen measure?

When sugar enters your bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells.

“Everyone has some sugar attached to their hemoglobin,” Natasha said. “People with higher blood sugar levels have more. The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin.”

How can I get tested for diabetes?

An A1C test can be done by many health care providers, including your primary care provider or a prompt care clinic.

The post Diabetes screening: Get tested for diabetes with an A1C check appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

In addition to the groin area, a monkey pox rash can break out on the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth.

If you are concerned about symptoms or possible exposure to Mpox, use MyNortonChart to set up an eCare video visit with a Norton Heathcare provider.

“We have a lot of worried patients who are coming into our practices,” said Angela Burgan, R.N., Infection Preventionist with Norton Medical Group. “People have rashes and lesions for a variety of reasons, so our providers really have to get into that information with the patient about their level of exposure to infected individuals.”Mpox

Mpox is spread by close contact, often skin-to-skin. That includes sexual contact as well as kissing, hugging or massage. The virus also can spread on surfaces, bedding, towels and other objects used by someone with Mpox. Respiratory droplets also can be a source of infection, though most cases appear to spread by close contact.

Some people with Mpox will get a rash followed by other symptoms, but some will have just a rash.

If you think you may have Mpox, either because of a new and unexplained rash or other symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking the following steps:

• Avoid close contact, including sex or being intimate with anyone, until you have been checked out by a health care provider.
• If you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health clinic near you.
• When you see a health care provider, wear a mask.

“Most patients are not acutely ill. Unless you’re having signs and symptoms of distress, the emergency room wouldn’t be appropriate,” Angela said.

Mpox rash symptoms usually start less than three weeks after virus exposure and a few days after developing flu-like symptoms. Mpox lasts up to four weeks until the rash has healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Mpox symptoms also can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• Respiratory complaints (sore throat, congestion, cough)

The post Is it a Mpox rash or something minor? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Importance of talking about HIV and sexual health

In order for your doctor to provide the best care for you, they should know as much as possible about topics that affect your health. For instance, you can understand your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. If you are in a high-risk group based on your sexual practices or intravenous (IV) drug use, your doctor can explain ways to protect yourself and your sexual partners from infection.

“Your doctor should be asking about your sexual health, in order to get a full picture of your overall health,” said Monalisa M. Tailor, M.D., internal medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Barret. “You also should be proactive on your own behalf, because it’s also important for you to know your risks of HIV and understand how to protect yourself.”

Here are some ways to start the conversation with your doctor:

• I’m sexually active and I would like to talk about my risks for STIs and HIV.
• What can I do to prevent STIs and HIV?
• How often should I get tested for HIV?
• Is an HIV-preventive medication right for me?

There is much stigma around HIV, including that it only affects certain “kinds of people” or that it is confined to the LGBTQ+ community. You should be comfortable speaking with medical professionals without fear of judgment or shame.

“That might mean switching doctors, which may seem like a hassle,” Dr. Tailor said. “In the end it’s your health, and that’s worth a little discomfort in the long run.”

The post Do you have HIV questions to ask your doctor? Here are some ways to start the conversation. appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Rebecca Leite, APRN, nurse practitioner with Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens clinics, offers three easy steps that can help with your allergies.

• Start taking allergy medicine before symptoms start and take them daily throughout the season. If you take them only when you feel bad, they won’t help as much.
• Take off your shoes outside and change your clothes as soon as you come in.
• If you don’t normally shower at night, start doing so to keep your pillowcase and sheets free from pollen and allergens.

When you can’t effectively manage your allergies, they can make life miserable. If over-the-counter medications and lifestyle changes aren’t helping, it’s time to seek professional help.

The post Three ways to beat spring allergies appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) — the gold standard in coronavirus testing — is now available with nearly 100% accurate results that the equipment displays within 20 minutes.

“The rapid PCR tests for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in use at Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens, Norton Immediate Care Centers and offices of Norton Children’s Medical Group, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, are a critical part of our efforts to defeat the coronavirus,” said Mary Rademaker, M.D., medical director of Norton Immediate Care Centers and Prompt Care. “Just a few months ago supply shortages and technology had delayed test results for several days. Now we can now detect coronavirus in minutes.”

Previously the best PCR tests took hours, but as demand overwhelmed capacity and testing supplies, the delays went on for days.

Advances in recent months have led to outpatient PCR tests that are just as accurate as hospital or laboratory-based tests at detecting even tiny amounts of coronavirus RNA.

Norton Healthcare uses the Roche Liat (laboratory in a tube) system that can check for influenza A or B at the same time as a rapid PCR COVID-19 test, detecting these viruses from sample taken from the nasopharynx.

Antigen tests, which were widely used earlier in the pandemic for quick results, contributed to rapid tests’ reputation for inaccuracy. Antigen test false negatives — meaning the test incorrectly showed no infection — could be as high as 20%.

Antigen tests look for a coronavirus-related protein in samples taken from the nose or throat. They work best when someone is at or near peak infection, but often can miss cases outside of that peak when the person is contagious.

The post You don’t need to choose between fast or accurate COVID-19 tests appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

An at-home colon cancer test is less precise, but can catch a high percentage of colon cancer cases. The Cologuard test is available by prescription from health care providers at Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens clinics.

Here’s how it works:

• Schedule a well visit to speak with a Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens provider about Cologuard.
• The kit will be mailed to you — no special prep, no need for time off or changes to your diet or medication.
• Collect a stool at home and mail the kit back.
• Results will be available in your free MyNortonChart account, and you’ll be contacted by your Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens provider. The result also will be forwarded to your primary care provider.

The eight Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens clinics in Louisville and Southern Indiana are staffed by Norton Healthcare providers. Most insurance plans are accepted, and self-pay options are available. You can schedule your appointment conveniently online or by calling (502) 629-1234, option 3.

Those over 45 should get tested every three years. Those with a history of colon cancer, adenomas or other related cancers or other high risks for colon cancer and those 75 or older should have a colonoscopy.

The post Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens offering at-home colon cancer tests appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Reactions from antibiotics account for 20% of medication-related emergency room visits, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Common side effects of antibiotics can include rash, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and yeast infections.

More serious side effects of antibiotics include susceptibility to clostridium difficile (C. diff) bacteria, which causes severe diarrhea that can lead to significant colon damage and even death. Antibiotics damage the normal bacteria in your intestines and create the opportunity for C. diff to take over. C. diff needs immediate treatment.

Allergic reactions to antibiotics include wheezing, hives, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis — a feeling that you are choking or your voice is changing. While about 10% of U.S. patients report they had an allergic reaction to penicillin in the past, testing has shown that fewer than 1% are truly allergic, according to the CDC. About 80% with a penicillin allergy lose their sensitivity after 10 years.

“Antibiotics are powerful drugs. If you need an antibiotic, follow your health care provider’s instructions carefully, be on the lookout for side effects and allergic reactions and alert your provider or seek emergency care if you are concerned,” said Steven Patton, D.O., family medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Preston.

Because antibiotics will kill good bacteria along with bad bacteria, they can disrupt the balance in the gut. Studies have found that this disruption contributes to numerous conditions, including diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, autism and superinfection in critically ill patients.

Antibiotics are helpful for some bacterial infections. If you have a viral infection such as a cold, the flu, runny nose — even if mucus is thick, yellow or green — antibiotics won’t help. Antibiotics also give bacteria a chance to build up resistance, making future infections harder to treat.

The post Can antibiotics make you sick? appeared first on Norton Healthcare.