Kimble Hospital News

Influenza Diagnostic Testing During the 2009-2010 Flu Season

How will I know if I have the flu this season?
You may have the flu if you have one or more of these symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting. Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs, and the same is true of seasonal flu. (More information is available on what to do if you get sick this flu season.) Most people with flu symptoms do not need a test for 2009 H1N1 because the test results usually do not change how you are treated.

How can I know for certain if I have the flu this season?
To know for certain, a test specific for flu would need to be performed. But most people with flu symptoms do not need a test for 2009 H1N1 flu because the test results usually does not change how you are treated.

What kinds of flu tests are there?
A number of flu tests are available to detect influenza viruses. The most common are called “rapid influenza diagnostic tests” that can be used in outpatient settings. These tests can provide results in 30 minutes or less. Unfortunately, the ability of these tests to detect the flu can vary greatly. Therefore, you could still have the flu, even though your rapid test result is negative. In addition to rapid tests, there are several more accurate and sensitive flu tests available that must be performed in specialized laboratories, such as those found in hospitals or state public health laboratories. All of these tests are performed by a health care provider using a swab to swipe the inside of your nose or the back of your throat. These tests do not require a blood sample. For more information, see Seasonal Influenza Testing.

How well can these tests detect the flu?
Rapid tests vary in their ability to detect flu viruses. Depending on the test used, their ability to detect 2009 H1N1 flu can range from 10% to 70%. This means that some people with a 2009 H1N1 flu infection have had a negative rapid test result. (This situation is called a false negative test result.) Rapid tests appear to be better at detecting flu in children than adults. None of the rapid tests currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are able to distinguish 2009 H1N1 Flu from other flu viruses.

Will my health care provider test me for flu if I have flu-like symptoms?
Not necessarily. Your health care provider may diagnose you with flu based on your symptoms and their clinical judgment or they may choose to use an influenza diagnostic test. Depending on their clinical judgment and your symptoms, your healthcare provider will decide whether testing is needed and what type of test to perform. CDC has provided recommendations for clinicians this season to help with testing decisions. This season, most testing will be done in people who are seriously ill (hospitalized patients) and patients where testing may impact treatment decisions. In most cases, if a healthcare provider suspects you have the flu, the test results will not change their treatment decisions.

Who is being tested for flu this season?
This season CDC has provided Interim Recommendations for Clinical Use of Influenza Diagnostic Tests During the 2009-10 Influenza Season which recommends that the following people receive influenza diagnostic testing: 1) people who are hospitalized with suspected flu and 2) people such as pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems, for whom a diagnosis of flu will help their doctor make decisions about their care. CDC expects that most people with flu symptoms this season will not require testing for 2009 H1N1 because the test results usually do not change how you are treated. Additional people may be recommended for testing based on the clinical judgment of their health care provider.

How will I know what strain of flu I have or if it’s 2009 H1N1 (formerly known as Swine Flu)?
You may not be able to find out definitively what flu virus you have. Currently available rapid influenza diagnostic tests cannot distinguish between 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza A viruses. Most people with flu symptoms this season will not require testing for 2009 H1N1 because the test results usually do not change how you are treated. As of September 2009, more than 99% of circulating influenza viruses in the United States are 2009 H1N1. Therefore, at this time, if your health care provider determines that you have the flu, you most likely have 2009 H1N1. As the season progresses, different influenza viruses may circulate and updated national information on circulating influenza viruses is available in the Flu View U.S. Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report.

There are laboratory tests available that can tell the difference between 2009 H1N1 and other strains of flu, but these can take one to several days to provide results and this season, CDC has recommended that this testing be focused on 1) people who are hospitalized with suspected flu; 2) people such as pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems, for whom a diagnosis of flu will help their doctor make decisions about their care.

Why can’t I get a more accurate laboratory test to find out if I had flu or what kind of flu I had?
The most accurate laboratory tests, such as real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) are only available in certain laboratories, and these tests can take several days to obtain results. This season, CDC is focusing use of these tests on people who are hospitalized or for other reasons explained in the question, “Who is being tested for flu this season?”

Kimble Hospital Offers Tips to Prevent the Spread of H1N1

Prevention is Best Practice in Curbing Spread of Swine Flu

As flu season nears, there are new concerns that the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine Flu, will return in the fall. In fact, health care experts warn that the virus will affect more people this year. To help keep your family healthy this year, Kimble Hospital shares a few a tips for preventing the spread of H1N1.

“The H1N1 virus is no ordinary flu and cannot be prevented by the common flu vaccine. There is a vaccine in development, however, as with other illnesses, the best medicine in preventing H1N1 infection is good old-fashioned health precautions people should be practicing every day,” said a staff memember for Kimble Hospital. “Washing your hands, avoiding others who are sick and other simple health tasks can certainly aid in the prevention against this potentially fatal virus.”

Kimble Hospital has already had one case of the virus. Here are a few easy ways you can prevent the spread of H1N1:

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2. When you are ill with flu-like symptoms, stay at home -- from work, school or other public activities -- until your fever is gone for 24 hours without the aid of a fever-reducing medicine, like acetaminophen.
3. Shield others from your coughs and sneezes by using a tissue. Be sure to throw used tissues away in a trash can to contain germs.
4. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
5. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth at all times. Germs can spread this way.
6. Maintain healthful habits -- get ample sleep and exercise, drink fluids and eat well.

If you feel you have been exposed to H1N1, it is best to know the signs and symptoms of the virus. Below are a few of the more common symptoms:

1. Fever
2. Cough
3. Sore throat
4. Body aches
5. Headache
6. Chills
7. Fatigue
8. Diarrhea and vomiting (in rare cases)

If you or a member of your family is affected by H1N1 and have symptoms that do not improve within 24-hours, please see your health care provider. Also, people who are at risk of complications from H1N1 due to pregnancy, a chronic medical condition, an immunodeficiency disease, or those under five years-old and over the age of 65, should seek medical attention immediately if flu symptoms occur. Treatment is available with a Tamiflu prescription, but it must begin within 48 hours of illness.

Additionally, there is a H1N1 vaccine in development that should be available by mid-October. Due to limited supply, however, the vaccine could only be available to those more at risk for complications from the virus, such as pregnant women and small children. For more information about H1N1, visit www.texasflu.org or call Kimble Hospital at (325) 446-3321. To learn more about vaccine availability in October and when shots will be scheduled, contact your doctor or Kimble Hospital at (325) 446-3321.

Kimble Hospital to Hold Flu Shot Clinic at the Presbyterian Church on Sept. 28, 2009

Flu Season is upon us and Kimble Hospital is ready with an initial shipment of 250 seasonal flu vaccines. On Monday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m., the hospital will partner with the First Presbyterian Church to host a Flu Shot Clinic in the church’s fellowship hall.

“Although H1N1 (also known as the Swine Flu) has been in the news a lot, it’s very important that we don’t forget about the seasonal flu, which affects more people each year. To help keep the people in Kimble County healthy this flu season, we felt that it is important to deliver the available vaccine to the community as quickly as possible through this Flu Clinic,” said Kimble Hospital Administrator John Hughson.

Due to a limited supply at this time, interested community members will be inoculated on a first-come first served basis. The cost for the shots is $25 in cash. Those on Medicare should bring their insurance cards with them as the vaccine will be administered at no charge.

The hospital plans to hold a second event once the remaining supply is delivered to Kimble Hospital. The remaining order should arrive in the next few weeks.

The H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine will be delivered on or about Oct. 15. The vaccines will be administered in accordance with CDC recommendations and only available by appointment at the clinic. According to the CDC these groups will be considered a priority for H1N1 inoculation: Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age, all people from 6 months through 24 years of age, and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

For more information on vaccine prioritization from the CDC please visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm or the general H1N1 information site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

To learn more about the Flu Shot Clinic or H1N1 vaccines, please contact Kimble Hospital at (325) 446-3321.

Kimble Hospital Offers Prevention Tips for National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

One in six American men is at lifetime risk of prostate cancer

What do Colin Powell and Robert DeNiro have in common? Not only are they household names, both men have been diagnosed and successfully treated for prostate cancer. This month in honor of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Kimble Hospital offers a few tips on detecting this disease.

“Prostate cancer will affect one out of six American men, but if detected in its early stages, this disease can be quite treatable,” said Sharlene Casper, head of Laboratory Services at Kimble Hospital. “Regular screenings are key to finding and treating prostate cancer early.”

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death for men. Health experts recommend that all men who are 50 and older or who have a family history of prostate cancer be screened on a regular basis. The annual exam usually includes a simple blood test for PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) levels and a DRE, or digital rectal exam.

If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including:

1. A need to urinate frequently, especially at night;
2. Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine;
3. Weak or interrupted flow of urine;
4. Painful or burning urination;
5. Difficulty in having an erection;
6. Painful ejaculation;
7. Blood in urine or semen; or
8. Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo further testing to find the cause of the symptoms. In addition to annual screenings, regular exercise and a healthy low-fat diet can reduce the risk for prostate cancer.

For more information or prevention strategies that make the most sense for you, call Kimble Hospital at (325) 446-3321.

Kimble County Hospital Offers Tips to Protect Your Skin from UV Dangers

Summer weather provides opportunities for a bevy of outdoor activities; such as boating, fishing, camping and swimming. In honor of National UV Safety Month, Kimble County Hospital encourages everyone to remember that a few small steps beforehand can ensure that your fun in the sun doesn’t end with long-lasting medical problems.

“At Kimble County Hospital, we want to make sure the people in our area are healthy no matter the season,” said Jennifer Johnson, PAC for Kimble County Hospital. “With outdoor activities comes the risk of sunburns and ultraviolet light (UV) overexposure, which can lead to skin cancer. The good news is melanoma can often be found early and everyone can take steps to find this cancer early, when it ’s curable.”

According to experts, the best way to limit your chances for melanoma and other skin cancers is to take just a few preventative steps before stepping out in the sun:

1. Limit sun exposure during the middle of the day is when UV light is most intense.
2. Use sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
3. Wear a hat when outdoors. A hat with a brim all around is best because it protects the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.
4. Don’t forget the sunglasses! Look for sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB light.
5. Children tend to spend more time outdoor and burn more easily. Always make sure they wear sunscreen and teach them proper skin protection.
6. Avoid artificial sources of UV light, such as tanning beds and sun lamps. These can be dangerous because they can damage your skin.

If you are in the sun frequently, don’t forget to check your skin regularly for moles, freckles and other marks. Any changes in size, shape or color should be seen by a doctor right away. When checking for melanoma, follow the ABCD rule:

1. Asymmetry: one half of the mole doesn’t match the other half
2. Border irregularity: the edges of the mole are irregular or not smooth. They may look ragged, blurred or notched.
3. Color: the color is not the same all over. There may be shades of tan, brown or black, sometimes patches of pink, red, blue or white.
4. Diameter: The mole is larger than about ¼ inch — about the size of a pencil eraser.

If you feel that you are at risk for melanoma, see your doctor immediately. For more tips on how to make keep your skin safe from UV exposure for years to come, visit Kimble County Hospital or call (325) 446-3321.

Kimble Coutny Hospital Offers Medicare Patients Advice on Cancer Screenings

This month, in honor of National Cancer Control Month, the folks at Junction Hospital and Junction Medical Clinic are urging you to take the steps necessary for preventing and detecting cancer while on Medicare. With so many different types of cancer it is difficult to know what is natural for your body and what should be checked out immediately. Junction Hospital and Junction Medical Clinic want to do all they can to help answer questions you might have about all the options Medicare offers to screen and treat cancer.

Experts agree that the key to managing cancer is detecting and treating it early. Most people are unaware of the numerous tools Medicare has to offer. In fact, did you know that Medicare offers a “Welcome to Medicare” preventative physical exam? Offered during your first year on Medicare Part B, this exam can help uncover current medical conditions as well as determine risks for future health problems. Along with these screenings, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about how to live a healthy lifestyle and may recommend other tests for cancer or any other problems they might foresee.

In addition to the “Welcome to Medicare” exam Medicare covers a variety of cancer screenings to help you live cancer--free, including breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancer exams. For people with tobacco-related cancer risks, Medicare even will cover smoking cessation programs.

Medicare is a government-funded insurance program that provides coverage for people aged 65 or older or those with a qualifying disability. For more information about Medicare’s programs for the prevention and early detection of cancer, call Lanette Murr today at (325) 446-3305 to schedule an appointment.