Dr. Radha Raman

03/01/2023

*Sadly, COVID-19 is not a thing of the past. Weekly, there are close to 240,000 new reported cases (this number doesn't include asymptomatic and unreported cases). Also, weekly, on average this year, there have been over 3500 deaths in the US. Each day over 3300 people are admitted to the hospital and 1 in 5 adults who have contracted COVID-19 have or experienced long Covid.
(*stat sources are John Hopkins, The New York Times, and The CDC)

As you can see, COVID-19 is still out there and is a threat to many. Mortality rates are down because time has given us the benefit to identify and utilize more effective treatment options, but having a plan to protect yourself and others can play an enormous role in saving lives and maintaining quality of life.

People who are more likely to get very sick include older adults (ages 50 years or more, with risk increasing
with age), people who are unvaccinated, and people with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung
disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system. The CDC has created this comprehensive COVID-19 planning guide. that includes tools, information, and action steps to share with your family, friends, and healthcare provider.

02/24/2023

Please keep in mind the many lives you’re protecting…

As we have seen with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, people can unknowingly have the flu and gravely affect vulnerable elderly, children and those who have impaired immune systems, such as cancer patients and people with HIV or pulmonary disease. The more you suppress influenza through vaccination, the less opportunity the virus has to mutate and infect more people. You’ll also have lower viral loads and will shed the virus – and be infectious – for shorter periods of time.

02/24/2023

When was your last booster?

Need answers on updated COVID-19 booster eligibility, timing, and available vaccines? CDC’s booster tool is an easy-to-use guide that can give you the information you need. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3B3IYZx

05/31/2022

Just want to give to a heads up.

Adults and teens are more likely to have symptoms compared to children. Symptoms may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, pale stools, or jaundice (i.e., yellowing of skin or whites of eyes).

Do not eat, serve, or sell FreshKampo or HEB brand organic strawberries purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, FDA’s investigation is ongoing

09/01/2021

08/25/2021

Self-talk can enhance your performance and general well-being. When it's positive self-talk. For example, research shows self-talk can help athletes with performance. It may help them with endurance or to power through a set of heavy weights.

Furthermore, positive self-talk and a more optimistic outlook can have other health benefits, including:

increased vitality
greater life satisfaction
improved immune function
reduced pain
better cardiovascular health
better physical well-being
reduced risk for death
less stress and distress

https://www.healthline.com/health/positive-self-talk

05/13/2021

Beginning today, anyone 12 and older are eligible for the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine! This is a giant leap toward us moving toward herd immunity and getting back to normal. Arguably, our children have been most impacted by the isolation and fear of this pandemic. After vaccination, not only will kids who've been exposed to Covid-19 not have to quarantine (which is a game-changer for parents struggling to stay working around the burden of a quarantined child), but it also allows kids to get back to enjoying the 'little things' that made our teen years so memorable.

-marching bands
-proms/parties
-festivals
-sports/athletic events
-graduation

All without the fear of serious illness (don't underestimate what this did to our children's psyches) or potentially infecting their older at-risk loved ones.

We're lucky to live in a city that has prioritized vaccinations. Our economy depends on tourism and our city leaders recognized that herd immunity is key. This website is a resource for finding your community vaccine location, it answers questions and concerns, and even offers info regarding free or reduced UBER transport to and from your vaccine location.

We recognize that this has been an unprecedented era and fear and anxiety are natural. If you have any questions or concerns about the Covid-19 vaccines, please speak with your physician. Misinformation or lack of information could keep us locked in this pandemic lifestyle for years and these vaccines are the prescription to help us move forward.

In general, vaccines stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies. Antibodies are the cells in your body that fight infections and either keep you from getting sick or help you recover from being sick. So, unlike medications that help you get better, vaccines can actually prevent you from gett...

05/06/2021

If you’re feeling it’s becoming unmanageable, please consider having a conversation with your doctor.

04/27/2021

Pfizer Covid-19 update:

How well it works: 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in those without prior infection. The researchers report that the vaccine was equally effective across a variety of different types of people and variables, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI)—or presence of other medical conditions. In clinical trials, the vaccine was 100% effective at preventing severe disease. In late March, a small CDC study that enrolled 3,950 health care personnel, first responders, and other essential and frontline workers showed the vaccine to be 90% effective upon full immunization (at least 14 days after the second dose) in real-world conditions.

How well it works on virus mutations: So far, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been found to protect against the variant that was first detected in Great Britain (B.1.1.7), but it may be less effective against the variant first detected in South Africa (B.1.351).

03/22/2021

The lack of social connection and the anxiety created by this pandemic has left folks particularly vulnerable. Please remember this before reacting. Kindness matters.