Passport Health of Tampa Bay

Number of measles cases becoming a concern

2011-06-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

Number of measles cases becoming a concern

Transmission of Influenza on International Flights

2011-06-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

May 2009
A. R. Foxwell, et al.
Air travel is one of the fastest ways to spread infectious diseases around the globe; the rapid spread of pandemic flu in 2009 was a prime example. Preventing the spread of infection among air passengers involves contacting those who sat near symptomatic passengers. However, the definition of "near" varies according to how infectious the virus is and how much the passengers and crew move around. It also depends on the length of the flight and how good the air circulation is. A study of flights to Australia found that for flu, the risk zone is smaller than previously thought. On long flights, risk was higher for those sitting in a smaller square zone around a symptomatic passenger (2 seats to either side and 2 seats in front and behind) than in the larger linear zone previously used (2 rows on either side). Narrowing the zone, and thus the number of potentially exposed passengers, may speed the contact process so exposed passengers can get preventive health care sooner.

Contact:
Paul M. Kelly
Australian National University, National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health, College of Medicine, Biology & Environment,
Eggleston Rd, Acton, Canberra Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia;
+61 61255609
Paul.Kelly@anu.edu.au

http://www.cdc.gov/media/eid/2011/07.html?source=govdelivery

Vaccine Song

2010-08-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

A little diddy about the importance of vaccinations.

Click to play

The Vaccine Song
words and music by Ted Willmore

drawings by Elizabeth W. Jordheim
animated by Ted Willmore

vocals Schuyler Stegmann
acoustic guitar Sean Hennessy
bass guitar Kevin Hennessy
drums Jake Hanselman
electric guitar and piano Pete Szkolka

recorded and mixed by Pete Szkolka
mastered by Bob Katz

© 2010 Brain Warm-ups Entertainment, LLC

Flu shots: fewer, sooner, stronger

2010-08-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

See the FOX 13 and Dr. Jo Story.

Click to See Video.

How to open a wine bottle with a shoe.

2010-06-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been travelling and wanted to open a bottle of wine and not had a cork screw? Here's a solution. Let us know if you try this out.

Press to View.

Inviting all Dads!

2010-06-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.vaccinatenow.org/realguysimmunize

The Real Guys Immunize Campaign is a platform to empower dads to protect themselves and their families from vaccine preventable diseases. In many families, the dad is the protector but every super dad needs help.

Travel Photography Tips

2010-06-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

How to take landscape photos: bit.ly/alZ8Ea

South African World Cup 2010 Safety Tips

2010-06-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Have fun and be safe. Share your stories with us if yo go.

British Medical Council Bars Doctor Who Linked Vaccine With Autism

2010-05-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

By JOHN F. BURNS
Published: May 24, 2010 (NY Times)

"LONDON — A doctor whose research and public statements caused widespread alarm that a common childhood vaccine could cause autism was banned on Monday from practicing medicine in his native Britain for ethical lapses, including conducting invasive medical procedures on children that they did not need....
The disciplinary tribunal’s action came after more than a decade of controversy over the links Dr. Wakefield and associates in Britain, as well as supporters among parents of some autistic children in Britain and the United States, have made between autism and a commonly used vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. The suggestion of a link caused use of the vaccine in Britain and elsewhere in the world to plummet, a development that critics of Dr. Wakefield said contributed to a sharp rise in measles cases in countries where the vaccine was in use.

Most scientific papers have failed to find any links between vaccines and autism."
Read Complete Article

Small investments pay big dividends in protecting workers’ health

2010-04-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

Although the flu season is months away, health care professionals already are preparing vaccinations against three strains of flu that could infect workers and leave businesses in a lurch.....

....But it’s certain that flu and other contagious diseases will emerge, and employers should prepare now to keep the workplace productive, said Pandis and Dr. John Sinnott...

Read more: Small investments pay big dividends in protecting workers’ health - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

Immunization week to kick off in 112 countries

2010-04-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

23 APRIL 2010 | GENEVA -- For the first time, immunization campaigns are being launched simultaneously tomorrow in 112 countries and territories in the World Health Organization Regions of the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean and Europe, with the goals of expanding immunization coverage and raising awareness of the importance of vaccines.....

In the Americas, regional launching events are being held in border areas of Nicaragua, between Suriname and French Guyana, and between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. On the US-Mexico border, a joint event is planned in Las Cruces, New Mexico in conjunction with the launch of US National Infant Immunization Week. The regional goals are to reach children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, elderly populations, border and isolated populations, indigenous populations, and low coverage municipalities...

In addition to vaccinating children and adults and delivering integrated packages of health interventions such as vitamin fortification, countries are planning a variety of activities including workshops, training sessions, social mobilization, round-table discussions, exhibitions and media events addressing vaccine-related issues. Target audiences for various activities include parents, caregivers, health workers, mass media, decision-makers and stakeholders.

Read full article here.

Gavin Gough: Freelance Travel Photographer

2010-04-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

A freelance travel photographer, based in Bangkok, Gavin Gough works on assignment and creates stock photography for Getty and Lonely Planet Images. His work has been featured internationally in publications such as National Geographic, Geo, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Conde Nast and many more.

Gavin Gough: Freelance Travel Photographer

NHS Videos - Malaria

2010-04-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Malaria is a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes. An expert explains how the infection attacks different areas of the body and what you can do to avoid getting the disease in the first place. See Video...

NHS VIDEOS | Media Library

Tourists pay to rough it on desert treks in Tunisia

2010-04-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

Douz, Tunisia (CNN) -- Spending two weeks trekking through a desert without any creature comforts isn't everyone's idea of a vacation, but for some, it's paradise.Read more...

Study Finds Military Prone to Infection With H1N1 Flu

2010-04-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Living in close quarters and young age increased risk, Singapore researchers say...http://bit.ly/busT0I

Indonesian village hunts for 7-meter killer python

2010-03-31T06:34:00.000-07:00

March 29, 2010

ASSOCIATED PRESS
JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesian villagers are hunting a giant python that killed a 13-year-old boy a week ago on Sumatra island.

Police Chief Capt. Joshua Tampubolon said Monday that the 23-feet-long (7-meter-long) python was believed to be hiding in waterway tunnels built by a textile company for its industrial waste.
Villagers from Percut Sei Tuan in Deli Serdang district blocked road access to the tunnels Sunday to protect the public.

Tampubolon said the victim and three friends were swimming in the Tembung River when the snake attacked March 21. It strangled and nearly swallowed the boy before villagers armed with spears forced it to flee.

Pythons native to Indonesia usually grow up to 6 meters.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Article

H1N1 Swine Flu Still Smoldering in U.S.

2010-03-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

March 16, 2010 -- It's no wildfire, but H1N1 swine flu continues to smolder in the U.S.From mid-January to mid-February, the CDC estimates there were 2 million new cases of H1N1 swine flu, causing 18,000 hospitalizations, and about 310 deaths. Read more...http://bit.ly/9SD0GU

These 10 Tips Can Make Your Spring Break a Healthy One

2010-03-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

DENVER, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelle Reesman, RN, Executive Director of Passport Health Colorado, says far too many Spring Break travelers leave home without taking the basic steps she suggests below. "Younger travelers may feel invincible, but they still need to put the same kind of preparation into their health and safety as they do into their destination choice, passport acquisition or flight plans. Too many otherwise wonderful trips are spoiled when these simple rules are ignored," Reesman advises.

Tips Here

Health care volunteers and disasters: First, be prepared

2010-03-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

(PHILADELPHIA) – A surge in volunteers following a major disaster can overwhelm a response system, and without overall coordination, can actually make a situation worse instead of better .The outpouring of medical volunteers who responded to the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti in January provides a roadmap for health care providers during future disasters, say the authors of a New England Journal of Medicine "Perspectives" piece that will be published online February 24. Read more...http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-02/uops-hcv022410.php

Women, men differ in travel-related ills

2010-03-02T06:58:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Traveling around the globe can make anyone fall ill, but men and women tend to differ in the types of illnesses they suffer, a new study finds.

Health

In a study of almost 59,000 international travelers, researchers found that women were more likely than men to come down with bouts of diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems, colds, urinary tract infections and adverse reactions to medications, such as those taken to prevent malaria.

Men, meanwhile, had higher risks of fever, including from infections transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks or other such "vectors," such as malaria, dengue and rickettsia.

Men were also more likely than women to be treated for mountain sickness, frostbite or sexually transmitted diseases.

The findings offer travelers and travel-medicine specialists a clearer idea of how to prepare for international trips, according to the researchers, led by Dr. Patricia Schlagenhauf of the University of Zurich in Switzerland.

Read more...

Army official: Four soldiers have become ill and evacuated from Haiti

2010-02-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

By Jonathan Mattise
Posted February 24, 2010 at 3:03 p.m. , updated February 24, 2010 at 4:08 p.m

Four Army soldiers total — including Stuart native Chris Lust — have been stricken ill and evacuated to receive treatment while serving in Haiti, an Army official said Wednesday.

Lust, a 33-year-old warrant officer, contracted a tropical disease called leptospirosis during relief work in Port-au-Prince three weeks ago. The bacterial infection is generally caused by contact with water contaminated by animal excrement in impoverished countries, said Dr. Moti Ramgopal of Associates in Infectious Diseases in Fort Pierce.

Lust is now in stable condition at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa after spending almost a week in the intensive care unit.

The soldier experienced flu symptoms, only 100 times worse, his mother Lorilei Lust said. Chris Lust’s temperature hovered from 102 to 105 degrees.

Cold spell tremors, almost like seizures, struck regularly. While receiving IV medication, he developed a blood clot in his left arm that puffed up his left hand much larger than his right.

His condition stabilized and he left the ICU Saturday. He expects to be shipped to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio in the next 24 hours for three months of light duty.

read more

Vaccine Study Retracted, and Causes of Autism Remain Elusive

2010-02-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

U.S. News and World Report Health

By Nancy Shute

Posted: February 3, 2010

In 1998, the medical journal The Lancet published a study suggesting that the childhood MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine was tied to autism. On Tuesday, the journal retracted the study, saying in an editorial that key aspects of the paper—in which Andrew Wakefield reported that 12 children he studied had experienced a sudden onset of autism symptoms after getting MMR shots—were false...
More

Vaccine paranoia might be killing us.

2010-01-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

Get Vaccinated
Robert Nelsen, 01.21.10, 10:00 AM EST
Forbes Magazine dated February 08, 2010

It has taken 14,160 lives, 2,328 of them in the U.S. Within the latter group are 248 children. No, it is not terrorism, nor is it war. It is H1N1.

Read On.

Haiti earthquake: How to help

2010-01-21T04:23:00.000-08:00

A list of charitable organizations active in the nation

msnbc.com
updated 9:21 p.m. ET, Wed., Jan. 20, 2010

Click for information on how you can become involved.

National Influenza Week, 11 - 15 January 2010.

2010-01-11T05:54:00.000-08:00

President declares National Influenza week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the week of January 10-16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week....

Read more.

Solution to Killer Superbug Found in Norway - Sphere News

2010-01-04T05:05:00.000-08:00

Interesting article on how the Norwegians are handling the use of anti-biotics.

Solution to Killer Superbug Found in Norway - Sphere News

Eastern Europe, Southern Asia are FLU hot spots

2009-12-31T09:25:00.000-08:00

Central and Eastern Europe are currently the hottest spots for pandemic flu activity, but activity is also intense in northern India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its weekly H1N1 update today. Flu activity seems to be waning in most of the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, but limited data indicate "high-intensity transmission" in Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. More than 208 countries and territories have reported confirmed H1N1 cases, with 12,220 deaths.

Click for more details.

Interview with Passport Health's founder.

2009-12-30T19:34:00.000-08:00

As founder, president and CEO of Passport Health, Fran (Lessans) brings over 30 years of medical and management experience to Passport Health. Before founding Passport Health, Fran worked in a variety of clinical settings as a registered nurse, educator and health care administrator...

Hear the interview at this site.

Currency Exchange Rates

2009-12-18T18:07:00.000-08:00

Need help with currency exchange rates and othere financial data related to foreign exchanges?

Try this site (www.x-rates.com)

Warden Message: Argentina Airport Entry Fee

2009-12-15T13:39:00.000-08:00

U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires issued the following Warden Message on December 14, 2009:

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens that on December 20, 2009, the Government of Argentina will begin charging American Citizens visiting Argentina for business or tourism an entry fee of $131 U.S. dollars. The fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. Once paid, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with United States visa reciprocity. Americans may pay in dollars, by credit card, or with travelers checks.

See More at this site.

Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Female Adolescents Aged 14 to 19 in the United States

2009-11-25T06:48:00.000-08:00

Published online November 23, 2009
PEDIATRICS (doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0674)

Results Prevalence of any of the 5 STIs was 24.1% among all and 37.7% among sexually experienced female adolescents. HPV (23 high-risk types or type 6 or 11) was the most common STI among all female adolescents (prevalence: 18.3%), followed by C trachomatis infection (prevalence: 3.9%). Prevalence of any of the STIs was 25.6% among those whose age was the same or 1 year greater than their age at sexual initiation and 19.7% among those who reported only 1 lifetime sex partner.

Conclusions The prevalence of STIs among female adolescents is substantial, and STIs begin to be acquired soon after sexual initiation and with few sex partners. These findings support early and comprehensive sex education, routine HPV vaccination at the age of 11 to 12 years, and C trachomatis screening of sexually active female adolescents.

See Article here.

Vaccines on horizon for AIDS, Alzheimer's, herpes

2009-11-25T06:32:00.000-08:00

'Golden era' could bring vaccines against AIDS, Alzheimer's and addictions within 5 years

By Linda A. Johnson, AP Business Writer
On 3:50 pm EST, Tuesday November 17, 2009

MARIETTA, Pa. (AP) -- Malaria. Tuberculosis. Alzheimer's disease. AIDS. Pandemic flu. Genital herpes. Urinary tract infections. Grass allergies. Traveler's diarrhea. You name it, the pharmaceutical industry is working on a vaccine to prevent it.

AP - ADVANCE FOR WEDNESDAY NOV 18; graphic shows market share for leading vaccine manufacturers ...

Many could be on the market in five years or less.

Read more about these exciting developments.

Passport Health's FLU Information Page

2009-11-23T15:07:00.000-08:00

See our information and resources and get up to date information on the seasonal and H1N1 FLU.

See our FLU page here:

Hep. A In Australia

2009-11-19T08:45:00.000-08:00

Hepatitis A – Semi-dried Tomatoes Australia Update (Victoria)

As reported on the 13th of October last month, The Department of Health and Human Services had received 12 notifications for Hepatitis A in one week in Victoria from persons who reported to have eaten semi-dried tomatoes.

There are now renewed warnings following a further 23 cases of Hepatitis A reported this week, linked to semi-dried tomatoes. So far in 2009 there have been 200 cases reported in Victoria compared to 74 during the same period last year.

As the incubation period of Hepatitis A can be as long as 2 months, it is difficult to find out where that these persons have eaten the product. Victoria's
chief health officer Dr John Carnie said that they are working closely “with the manufacturers and suppliers of semi-dried tomatoes to try and identify the
source.”

Full article here:

H1N1 6-Month Toll 22 Million, CDC Estimates

2009-11-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

By Michael Smith, North American Correspondent, MedPage Today
Published: November 12, 2009

In the first six months of the H1N1 flu pandemic, 22 million Americans fell ill from the virus, the CDC now estimates.

Of those, about 98,000 needed inpatient care, and 3,900 died, according to Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

The estimates are higher than initial counts, which included only laboratory-confirmed cases, Schuchat told reporters in a news conference.

"For influenza it's virtually impossible to find every case with a lab test," she said. "These estimates give a bigger picture of what's going on.".....

The agency also broke its estimates down by age group and found that most cases occurred in those under 65:

•For children under 18, there were an estimated eight million illnesses, 36,000 hospital stays, and 540 deaths.
•For adults from 18 through 64, there were 12 million cases, 53,000 hospital stays, and 2,900 deaths.
•For those 65 and older, there were 2 million cases, 9,000 hospital stays, and 440 deaths.

See the full article here:

A Week With Sea Lions

2009-11-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

Check out the travel blog one of our patients shared with us. He had a very exciting and itneresting trip to the Galapagos Islands and shares his thoughts and some great pictures.

A Week with the Sea Lions

The FDA will likely squash the drug industry's social life on the Web.

2009-11-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

The Food and Drug Administration is clamping down on the drug industry's use of social media to promote its products.

What do you think?

See the full Forbes article at:

Pharma's Future In Social Media
Laurie Burkitt, 11.11.09, 08:08 PM EST
The FDA will likely squash the drug industry's social life on the Web.

Do you have questions about the FLU mist vaccine?

2009-11-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

Who should not be vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®)?
•People less than 2 years of age
•People 50 years of age and over
•People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system.
•Children <5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing
•Children or adolescents receiving aspirin
•People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine
•Pregnant women
•People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.

Learn these and other important facts about FLU Mist at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm

Views of H1N1 epedemic, New Poll

2009-11-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

A new poll shows that a growing number of Americans are concerned about H1N1 (or swine) flu.

http://www.the33tv.com/news/20091103_health_poll_gx,0,7013363.graphic

Estimates of the Prevalence of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, United States

2009-11-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

Questions and Answers: EID article ", April-July 2009"

Summary
Through July 2009, a total of 43,677 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 were reported in the United States, which is likely a substantial underestimate of the true number. Correcting for under-ascertainment using a multiplier model, researchers in this study estimate there may have been between 1.8 million and 5.7 million cases during this time period, including 9,000-21,000 hospitalizations. This article is available online at Emerging Infectious Diseases online.

Learn more: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/eid_qa.htm<

FLU Information for Travelers

2009-11-04T06:21:00.000-08:00

•Know when you should avoid travel. If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should not travel.

•Be prepared for health screenings at airports. Airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers.

•You can prepare for travel by educating yourself about the outbreak situation and screening procedures in your destination country or countries.

•Know what to do during and after your trip. During your trip, follow local guidelines and practice healthy habits.

For more detail see: http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/travelers/index.html

Hillsborough County Public Schools publish H1N1 Vaccine Schedule

2009-11-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/flu/schedules/

Obama declares flu emergency

2009-10-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

Obama declares flu emergency to ease restrictions for hospitals
Officials prepare for a surge in H1N1 cases

By Michael D. Shear and Rob Stein
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Article from the Washington Post

President Obama has declared H1N1 swine flu a national emergency, clearing the way for his health chief to give hospitals wider leeway in how they handle a possible surge of new patients, administration officials said Saturday.

The president granted Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the power to lift some federal regulations for medical providers, including allowing hospitals to set up off-site facilities to increase the number of available beds and protect patients who are not infected.

Obama said in the declaration that the "rapid increase in illness . . . may overburden health-care resources." White House officials played down the dramatic language, saying the president's action did not stem from a new assessment of the dangers the flu poses to the public....

Complete article available at the Wshington Post.

Packing tips

2009-10-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

Any great escape starts with a smartly packed bag. Use these practical solutions to prepare for a well-equipped trip.

PACKING PLAN
Approach your suitcase with a plan in place. Start by creating a checklist catered to the climate of your destination and your planned activities. Lay out every item on your list. Now, start editing — do you have too much, not enough? Can you mix and match certain outfits, or can you substitute one item for many (like one pair of black pants for three pairs of suit bottoms)? Once you've decided on everything you absolutely need, put them into a suitcase in the most space-saving way possible.

SPACE-SAVING STEPS
• Think chronologically as you put things into your bag. Leave what you are planning to wear first for last (place it at the top of your bag).

• Plan to carry absolute essentials such as identification/passports, tickets, cash, itineraries, and medication in your carry-on or on your person — never in checked luggage.

• Transfer any cleansers, shampoos, and creams to travel-size bottles. Fill bottles only 3/4 of the way if there is a chance contents can freeze or expand. Store all bottles in a zip-up plastic bag to prevent leaks.

• Make use of all excess space by putting socks and underwear inside shoes. Pack shoes and belts around the edges of your bag.

Customer Feedback

2009-10-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 19, 2009
Passport Health: Your One-Stop Shop For All Your Travel Health Needs

PharmaLive: Sanofi Pasteur Announces Results of U.S. Clinical Trials in Adults Following One Dose of Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine

2009-10-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

PharmaLive: Sanofi Pasteur Announces Results of U.S. Clinical Trials in Adults Following One Dose of Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine: "Sanofi Pasteur Announces Results of U.S. Clinical Trials in Adults Following One Dose of Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine"

Tell us what you think

2009-08-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Here is your chance to tell us about your trip(s) and travel, share experiences and photos, share breaking medical information as it relates to travel health and wellness.