You're Going to Give Me a Shot Where?

Due to a local physician having some problems at his office, we've had several questions concerning just who's who at the doctor's. Here's the run down of what type personnel you will usually find:

Physician - either a Medical Doctor or an Osteopath
Physician's Assistant - these are licensed and usually possess a Master's Degree
CRNP - these highly trained nurses are licensed and also usually possess a Master's Degree
RN - professional nurses; there are currently four kinds practicing in the state, but all have the same legal status
LPN - trade nurses that are called LVNs in some states
Medical Assistant - these are not licensed, do the basics, and do not usually administer injections
Phlebotomist - personnel trained in drawing blood, found in larger offices

If you have any doubt about who is assisting your physician or administering vaccinations, etc., feel free to ask. All competent personnel will be glad to answer your questions concerning their credentials.

The Alabama Department of Health is mounting a campaign for massive vaccinations this fall. Without vaccinations, their estimate is 30% of the state's population will contract swine flu. The vaccine should be available here in early to mid October.

And just where should you get your injection? We've actually had a question about this, and the answer is it depends. Some injections need to be given in a large muscle, usually in the buttock. Untrained personnel can easily injure the sciatic nerve while administering these injections--one big reason to ask who's who if you aren't sure.

If you take frequent injections that don't require a large muscle, standard protocol is to administer the medicine subcutaneously, avoiding the muscle; however, if you receive minimal injections each year, don't hesitate to ask for the shots to be given in the deltoid where less pain and soreness result.

Again, we urge everyone to begin making plans for this year's flu shot. Shots are no fun, but neither is the flu, and we don't want to lose any readers.

Wishing you good health,

Nurse Nan

WHO Says Pandemic is Coming

Medscape release:

Breaking News - April 29, 2009

Swine Flu One Step Closer to Pandemic
Swine flu has pushed the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise its pandemic alert level to phase 5, which means that a pandemic is imminent. It's the second time in a week that the WHO has raised its pandemic alert level, which ranges from phase 1 (low risk of a pandemic) to phase 6 (a full-blown pandemic is under way).

Swine Flu Redux?

Two readers have contacted us asking about the Swine Flu inoculations of 1976--specifically if this vaccine would offer any protection against a possible outbreak of the 2009 version. In my opinion it would, and while it would be very little, a little is still better than nothing.

Swine flu vaccines were provided to those under 25 or over 70 and to those in chronically bad health. A series of two inoculations was recommended, but I'm sure many were like me and stopped with only one. The vaccine came with some hard to take side effects, namely serious flu like symptoms that lasted for 24 hours. To an active teenager, the risk didn't seem to outweigh the discomfort and the possible necessity of canceling social activities.

I will stress again, if you have traveled recently and suspect you have contracted the disease, contact a physician immediately and ask for Tamiflu. Also, while regular flu shots are usually given in October in order to be effective during the winter flu season, and are not expected to combat this new strain, any extra protection is better than none.

Think of it this way, staying home the next few weeks may not only save you money in this recession, but also save your life.

Good luck,

Nurse Nan