>> Signs of flu around the corner
>> The infection that could replace COVID
>> Multiple criminal charges for nurse
>> Why you might have to wait for a hospital bed
The Med & Mic™ 10.28.22
MED NEWS blog post from Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC
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Chile’s Early Flu Signals U.S.
Chile’s flu season has started much earlier than usual. Flu trackers watch the Southern Hemisphere to forecast what the North American flu season will be like. The immunizations in Chile target the dominant influenza A(H3N2) strain. The vaccine in the U.S. also targets this strain. The CDC estimates the current flu shot’s effectiveness against hospitalization to be 50%. Also, the CDC notes that influenza has already been on the rise in the U.S. a month earlier than usual. Respiratory illness levels have been “very high” in Washington, D.C., and “high” in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Hospitalizations are up, and positive lab tests for flu (4%) have doubled over the past two weeks. (Source: CNN, K. Dillinger, 10.27.22)
Tuberculosis Reverses Course
Tuberculosis had been on the decline for years, but now, the World Health Organization says global deaths from this infectious bacterial illness are on the rise. The increase occurred between 2019 (1.4 million) and 2021 (1.6 million). Deaths had decreased between 2005 and 2019. With efforts to tackle COVID, countries have been falling behind on targets to curb TB, among other infectious diseases. The WHO’s report warns that TB could replace COVID as the leading cause of death from an infectious agent. (Source: U.S. News & World Report via Reuters, B. Satija, 10.27.22)
Nurse Charged With Murder
A former nurse in North Carolina has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The 47-year-old nurse administered lethal doses of insulin to two patients and a near-fatal dose of insulin to another, who survived. The nurse was fired in March. He had worked in nursing for 21 years. No motive has been determined, and investigators say he acted alone. The defendant’s wife is a doctor at the same hospital. She nominated him as a nurse of distinction for the local newspaper. (Source: CBS News via AP, 10.27.22)
More Health Care Professionals Leave
As RSV, COVID, and flu increase hospitalizations, more professionals are leaving health care for work that either pays better or is less physically and emotionally draining. Hospitals and remaining staff could be overwhelmed. “Patients are sitting in the emergency room for a day or two waiting for a bed, because it’s not just about having a physical bed – you need to have the doctor, the nurses, and the other staff to man that bed,” says Dr. Celine Gounder, a contributor to CBS News. In 2021, the labor force lost 330,000 medical professionals. With understaffing, more health care workers could get burned out. Many have left for early retirement or administrative work. (Source: CBS News, M. Cerullo, 10.27.22)
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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own physician. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
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