Cases of the flu and RSV continue to rise as we approach the holiday season
Influenza is hitting the U.S. unusually early and very hard. The NY Times reports that we are seeing the most hospitalizations at this point in the season in more than a decade, “underscoring the potential for a perilous winter of respiratory viruses,” according to recent federal health data.
Get your flu shot now
“Getting the flu shot is still the best way to protect yourself,” says Dr. Raymond James, D.O., Medical Director at the Boca Grande Health Clinic. “And if you haven’t already been vaccinated this year, the best time to do it is now.”
The Clinic is running weekly drive-thru vaccination clinics for registered patients. If you are interested in getting a flu shot or COVID-19 booster, call the Clinic at 941-964-2276 to register for a time slot for an upcoming clinic.
RSV is dangerous for adults, too
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infections are surging across the United State. RSV mostly impacts children, and by 2 years of age we all have been exposed. We can get it multiple times during our lifetime but it’s usually no more serious than a cold. “We treat it more like rhinovirus (common cold) in that if someone has a runny nose, cough and symptoms of a cold,” Dr. James tells us. “They should mask and follow good hand washing hygiene so we can lower risk of transmission to others.”
Immunocompromised patients and pulmonary disease patients (people suffering from COPD, asthma, lung cancer, etc.) are at higher risk to become significantly ill from any viral or bacterial agent. Recent data show RSV hospitalization rate for seniors is 10 times higher than usual for this point in the season.
With this in mind, the Clinic is taking extra precautions to be especially cautious about patient exposures in our waiting room or exam rooms. Masks are on hand and will be provided to those with suspected symptoms. If you plan to visit the Clinic and think you may have been exposed, please let us know in advance so we can best prepare for your appointment.
RSV tests provide rapid results
Contributions from the Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation provided the Clinic with new technology that allows us to perform a four-in-one rapid test to detect SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, Influenza B and RSV on premise. It’s a simple nasal swab and test results are available in under 40 minutes.
More Recent Healthcare News
Following another eventful year of challenges and increasing patient demand, the Boca Grande Health Clinic is pleased to announce the exploration of facility opportunities to best meet current and future patient and Island needs for expanded primary and urgent care services. “The Clinic’s board and CEO have been working diligently on upgrading the Clinic’s staffing […]
The Big Red Bus Comes to Boca Grande April 6
March 10, 2023Donating blood saves lives. We all intrinsically know this. Yet, according to the American Red Cross, less than 3 percent of age-eligible people donate blood annually. The Boca Grande Health Clinic is sponsoring a blood donation event on Thursday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Big Red Bus® will be parked on […]
Colon screening saves lives
March 8, 2023March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) has some sobering news for us. According to its report issued March 1, 1 in 5 colon cancer diagnoses now occurs in people younger than 55 years old. The report also notes a trend toward more advanced disease in people of all […]
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week authorized the first over-the-counter (OTC) at-home test that can detect – and differentiate between – the flu and COVID-19. Raymond A. James, D.O. and medical director of the Boca Grande Health Clinic tells us what to know about this and what to keep in mind when using […]