The Center for Disease Control has reported a significant increase in the number of measles infections in the last year. The state of Washington has declared a state of emergency due to a current outbreak. Measles is an infectious disease spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, cough, rash, runny nose and watery eyes. Complications of measles includes permanent hearing loss, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) which can lead to permanent disability, pneumonia, and death. Additionally, the infection can cause serous complications for pregnant females and their unborn child. Measles is extremely contagious and can cause significant complications for those exposed. The good news, is that there is an extremely effective vaccine that can prevent up to 97% protection. To ensure your safety, contact your Aveon provider if you have symptoms of measles, as well as for the preventative vaccination.

January 22-27 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts week. If you or a family member is struggling with addition, contact your Aveon provider for support.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Below are some facts regarding glaucoma from the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Ask your Aveon provider about glaucoma screening at your next annual well exam.

“Currently, more than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase.

Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.

Over 3 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma.”

Weight management is a concern for many patients. Overweight and obesity rates in the US have continued to increase over the last several decades. There are many factors that contribute to an individuals weight as well as many health conditions associated to carrying extra weight. The Center for Disease Control states that patients who are classified as obese spend $1429 more on health care costs than an patient who is average weight. If you have concerns or questions about improving your overall health and reducing your risk of complications related to weight, we can help. Contact your Aveon provider to learn more.

January is national blood donor month. Giving blood is an opportunity to save a life. See the following facts from the Red Cross regarding blood donation:

• Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.
• Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
• Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
• Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle Cell patients can require blood transfusion throughout their lives.
• According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.7 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

See the following list of tips from the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

• Defrost carefully. Never allow foods to defrost at room temperature, on the counter or in warm water. Defrost food only in the refrigerator, in the microwave or in a cool water bath with water that is changed every 30 minutes. When defrosting food in the refrigerator, remember to cover raw meat and place it on the bottom shelf so juices won’t drip onto other foods. When defrosting food in the microwave, cook it immediately afterward.
• Wash hands before, during and after food preparation. Proper hand-washing may eliminate a large percentage of food poisoning cases. Remember to wash hands when switching tasks, such as handling raw meat and then cutting vegetables. Wash hands thoroughly in warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
• Keep kitchen surfaces clean.Use hot, soapy water to wash countertops and surfaces, cutting boards, refrigerator door handles and utensils. After cleaning, keep it clean by avoiding cross-contamination.
• Use two cutting boards.Dedicate one for raw meat, poultry and fish and the other for ready-to-eat foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Make it easy to remember by using color-coded cutting boards, one for raw meats and one for ready-to-eat foods.
• Employ different utensils for different tasks. Use separate spoons and forks to taste, stir and serve food.
• Resist temptation.When baking, avoid eating foods containing raw eggs such as cookie dough or cake batter. Raw eggs may contain harmful bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.
• Buy and use a food thermometer.It is the only reliable way to determine the doneness of your food and ensure that food is cooked to proper temperatures. (Do not rely on “clear juices” to tell that the turkey is done.)
• Refrigerate food within two hours of serving.This helps to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that can lead to food poisoning. This is especially important when serving buffets. Use a refrigerator thermometer and make sure it’s set at below 40°F.

Hand washing is one of the easiest things you can do to stay healthy. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends :

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

Antibiotics are lifesaving medications when used appropriately. It is important to take the correct type of antibiotic for specific bacterial infections, at the appropriate time for the specified number of days prescribed to prevent complications and resistance. During cold and flu season, please remember that antibiotics should only be used for bacterial infections, not viral infections such as influenza, and only when prescribed to you by a medical provider for your individual condition. Contact your Aveon provider for more details.

Gardasil 9 is a vaccination to prevent HPV infections, which are associated to cancers and genital warts in males and females. The vaccine is now approved for males and females age 9 to 45 years old. This vaccine has been available previously, but the FDA has approved the use of Gardasil 9 for a larger population to protect more patients. Ask your Aveon healthcare provider about Gardasil 9 to learn more.