By: Kathleen Gaines BSN, RN, BA, CBC The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently declared a national emergency amidst ongoing Hepatitis A outbreaks. In August, Florida was the most recent state to join the growing list of states to declare a Public Health Emergency. In the United States, since the outbreaks were first […]
Flu Season and What to Do
How Flu Spreads: Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it […]
What is Flu?
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. Flu Symptoms Flu is different from a cold. As it usually comes […]
August Updates 2019
Vaccine Updates August 2019 Terms to Know: 1. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a group of medical and public health experts that develop recommendations on how to use vaccines. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, the CDC saves lives and protects people from health, […]
Hexavalent Vaxelis
ACIP group unanimously voted to add the new hexavalent vaccine, Vaxelis –which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B and was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fall 2018 – to the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. This vote allows the hexavalent vaccine to be included in […]
Scotty’s Story, Meningitis (MenB Vaccine)
WHY GET VACCINATED MENINGOCOCCAL disease is a serious illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. It can lead to meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and infections of the blood. Meningococcal disease often occurs without warning—even among people who are otherwise healthy. Meningococcal disease can spread from […]
The Three Types of Immunity and How They are Acquired (Part III)
Community immunity occurs when people are protected by those around them. This type of protection is indirect in that it does not involve physical components of immunity, such as antibodies, but rather results when a pathogen is less likely to infect a susceptible person because of the high numbers of protected people around them. Because […]
The Three Types of Immunity and How They are Acquired (Part II)
Passive immunity, or immunity gained in a way other than from one’s own immune system, can occur in a few ways and can be life-saving. However, passive immunity is short-lived because the antibodies are not continually replenished as they would be in an individual whose immune system is responding directly. Passive immunity can occur in […]
The Three Types of Immunity and How They are Acquired (Part I)
(Part 1 of 3 Part Series) Have you ever thought about how immunity works? If so, you might have realized that immunity keeps us from becoming sick in different ways. Two types of immunity exist — active and passive: • Active immunity occurs when our own immune system is responsible for protecting us from a […]
Newest Threat to Global Health: Vaccine Hesitancy
Every year, the World Health Organization lists its top threats to global health. Alongside usual suspects like air pollution, cancer and heart disease, a newcomer has joined the 2019 edition: vaccine hesitancy. The anti-vaccine movement has gained momentum in recent years as parents refuse to vaccinate their children out of fear for autism and other […]