Concourse Village Primary Care

03/23/2020

05/14/2019

05/01/2018

-Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that infects and can damage the liver. It is passed from one person to another when the blood or s*xual fluids of an HBV infected person gets into another persons blood stream through openings in the skin (punctures, cuts, sores) or through the mucosal membranes (nose, ge****ls). Hepatitis B can live outside of the body for several days.

Hepatitis B sometimes becomes a chronic or life-long infection. If a person has a fully developed and strong immune system they can often fight off Hepatitis B during the first few months of infection and then they become immune for life.

If a person has an un-developed immune system (such as a baby or small child) or a weak immune system (such as someone who has HIV or cancer) they may have trouble fighting off Hepatitis B and may develop chronic or life-long infection.

Chronic Hepatitis B can cause serious liver damage, can cause the liver to shut down, and increases the risk for developing liver cancer. There is a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B.

If you are pregnant, or thinking about having a baby,
learn about Hepatitis B and Pregnancy

How do you get Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is transmitted, or passed from one person to another, through blood or s*x. You can get Hepatitis B through unprotected s*x or by sharing needles or other drug equipment. Infants infected by their HBV+ mothers during childbirth are at the highest risk for developing chronic infection.

How do you prevent Hepatitis B?
Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine
Don't share needles, syringes, cotton, rinse water, cookers, spoons, straws or pipes or any other drug use supplies. You can get clean needles at many locations in NYC.
Don't share or reuse medical supplies (diabetic needles, finger stick devices, etc.)
Safer s*x: avoid s*xual activity that involves the possibility of blood exposure and use condoms. You can get free NYC condoms.
Do not share personal items (razors, clippers, toothbrushes, etc.) that could have blood on them.
Only get tattoo and piercings in a licensed business and be sure that new sterile equipment is used. For more info on safer Body Art, see: Hepatitis & Tattoos
Clean blood spills immediately with 1 part bleach and 10 parts water.

04/27/2018

-Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that infects and can damage the liver. It is usually passed from one person to another through contaminated food or water, or through s*xual contact. Hepatitis A can sometimes lead to hospitalization. In rare cases, it can lead to severe liver problems or death.

You can avoid infection by getting vaccinated or regularly washing your hands with soap.

Symptoms
Symptoms of hepatitis A can appear between two and seven weeks after exposure. Most people start experiencing symptoms about one month after being exposed, including:

Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Diarrhea
Not everyone who is infected will have all of these symptoms.

Symptoms can become severe and lead to hospitalization or death, but most people get better within a few weeks. Less than 1% of cases result in death. People who have chronic liver disease or a weakened immune system are at a higher risk for serious illness.

About a third of hepatitis A cases occur in children. Infants and young children tend to have very mild symptoms and are less likely to develop jaundice than older children and adults.

Diagnosis and Treatment
If you think you may have hepatitis A, your doctor can check with a blood test.

There is no treatment for hepatitis A once symptoms appear, but most people fully recover on their own by resting and not drinking alcohol. People with hepatitis A should also avoid taking drugs that can hurt their liver, such as acetaminophen or Tylenol™️.

Avoiding Infection
The hepatitis A virus enters the body through the mouth and is passed in the stool (f***s). It can be carried on an infected person’s hands and spread through direct and indirect contact, such as by eating food that was handled by an infected person. Hepatitis A may also be transmitted if someone is exposed to stool during s*xual activity.

Infected people are most likely to spread the virus in the two weeks before symptoms appear and in the first week with symptoms.

You can avoid infection and transmission by:

Getting vaccinated.
Washing your hands with soap regularly, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
Avoiding s*xual practices that may result in hand or mouth exposure to stool (NYC Condoms prevent other STIs, including HIV, but may not prevent hepatitis A).
Using bottled water or boiling tap water for one minute if you are in a country where Hepatitis A is common. Also, avoid eating shellfish that may have come from a contaminated water source in those countries.
If you have had hepatitis A and recovered from the disease, you are now immune and can never get infected again or spread the virus.

04/23/2018

-About the Liver
The liver is one of the largest and most important organs in a person's body. It is about the size of a football and weighs about 3 pounds in the average-sized person. The liver is located on the upper right side of a person's body, behind the lower ribs.


Hepatitis
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver can become inflamed when it is trying to manage stress such as from alcohol, toxins, or infection.

Liver Damage
When the liver is under stress due to repeated exposure to toxins such as alcohol, or because of infection with chronic hepatitis B or C, the liver tissue can become damaged.

The liver is a very strong and remarkable organ because it can tolerate a lot of stress without any signs or symptoms and it can heal in some cases. However, if the stress is severe or goes on for a long period of time the liver tissue can become permanently damaged or scarred, and the liver functions slowly begin to shut down.

Common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States include hepatitis B & C and long-term alcohol abuse. Other common causes are fatty liver, certain medications or metabolic disorders.

Symptoms of Hepatitis or Liver Damage or Disease
Symptoms of liver damage or liver disease may develop gradually or there may be no symptoms, which is why having a Hepatitis test is important if you think you may have been exposed. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

flu-like symptoms
pain or tenderness under lower right rib
dark urine or light colored stool
yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes (jaundice)
Search for a location to get a hepatitis test, treatment or related services.

Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cirrhosis is a term that is used to describe severe damage or scarring of the liver which leads to poor liver function and serious health risks including liver failure and death. It is the final phase of chronic liver disease.

Common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States include hepatitis C and long-term alcohol abuse. Other causes can be hepatitis B, certain medications or metabolic disorders. Symptoms may develop gradually or there may be no symptoms.

04/21/2018

-Heart Disease Risk Factors
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in New York City. Learn about the risk factors for heart disease and reduce your own risk. There are many things you can do to keep your heart healthy.

What are Risk Factors for Heart Disease?
Some risk factors for heart disease you can do something about, some you cannot. It's important to see your doctor to determine your risk. Here are some risk factors for heart disease that you can control:

Obesity & Overweight
Extra weight can put you at risk for heart disease.

Physical Inactivity

Being physically active is important for overall health - including heart health

To***co Use

If you smoke, you can lower your risk for heart disease and other health problems by quitting.

Diabetes
Many people have diabetes and don't know it. Others know they have diabetes, but have trouble controlling it.

04/16/2018

-High Blood Pressure
Heart disease kills more New Yorkers than anything else — high blood pressure puts you at risk:

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading and treatable cause of heart disease and stroke.
1 in 4 adult New Yorkers have high blood pressure.
Because there are usually no symptoms, the only way to know you have high blood pressure is to get checked.
People can often prevent or control high blood pressure by eating a heart-healthy diet low in salt (sodium) and getting more physical activity.
Medications to lower blood pressure are safe and effective.
High Blood Pressure Is Dangerous
Health Bulletin: High Blood Pressure is Dangerous
Untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, problems with blood vessels and blood flow, kidney and eye problems, and early death.
Blacks and Latinos are more likely than other groups to have high blood pressure.
To find out about your risk of heart disease, please visit Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention's interactive website, which has a risk calculator on heart disease as well as other conditions.
Know Your Numbers
Blood Pressure Levels
Normal for most people At risk (close to high blood pressure) High blood pressure
Systolic
(top number) Below 120 120 to 139 140 or higher
Diastolic
(bottom number) Below 80 80 to 89 90 or higher


Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. It is written with one number over the other.
Both systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) numbers are important.
Check your blood pressure regularly. If you need to find a doctor.
People who are at risk should take action to control their blood pressure through lifestyle changes.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Make Your Diet Heart-Healthy

Limit your salt (sodium) intake
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Choose lean meat and fish
Limit your alcohol intake
Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as a brisk walk) at least 5 days a week. For more tips, including examples of moderate-level physical activities. If you're an adult over the age of 60, a senior center near you may offer heart healthy activities for you to join.
Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you are overweight, losing as little as 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure.

If You Smoke, Quit Now

If you have high blood pressure and smoke, you more than double your risk of a heart attack.

Take Prescribed Blood Pressure Medications

If your doctor prescribes medications, take them as directed; do not miss any doses. For information on specific drugs that your physician may prescribe.
Helpful resources to help you take your medications as prescribed
Monitor Your Blood Pressure Outside the Clinic
If you have hypertension (high blood pressure) and can’t get it under control with lifestyle changes and medications, monitoring your blood pressure at home may help.
Automated blood pressure monitors can be purchased at pharmacies. Sometimes health insurance covers the cost.
Talk to your doctor to see if this is the right option for you.
The NYC Health Department has teamed up with local pharmacies to offer free blood pressure checks in certain areas of East and Central Harlem, North Central Brooklyn and the South Bronx. If you don't live or work in these neighborhoods, many pharmacies around the city also have blood pressure machines where you can get your blood pressure checked for free, so check out your local pharmacy.
Use a Blood Pressure Tracking Card to record your blood pressure readings and share them with your doctor.

04/13/2018

-Headphones and Hearing Health
Listening to personal media players with headphones is common among younger adults regardless of s*x, race/ethnicity, or income. The effects of loud sounds are cumulative, and hearing problems may occur many years after the exposure begins. Personal music players, such as smart phones, iPods®️ and MP3 players can produce very loud sounds. Listening at high volumes, even for short durations, can cause hearing problems. Hearing loss can make these every day activities difficult:

Talking with friends, family or coworkers
Talking on the phone
Listening to music, going to the movies, watching television
Nearly one out of four adults aged 18 to 44 who report heavy headphone use say they have hearing problems(PDF), and are more than twice as likely to report hearing problems than those who report light-to-moderate use or no use of headphones.

Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. In an effort to protect against hearing loss, the Health Department encourages headphone users to
Reduce the volume, limit listening time, take regular breaks and never listen at maximum volume.
Know the early signs of hearing loss and ask a doctor for a hearing test if they have trouble hearing conversation, need to turn up the volumes on TV, radio or personal music players or experience ringing in the ear.

04/09/2018

-Hantavirus Infection
What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
Numerous viruses found worldwide belong to the genus Hantavirus . Some of the viruses in this group cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS was first identified in the southwestern United States in 1993 caused by the Sin Nombre virus. The disease remains very uncommon, however sporadic cases have now been found in many states. There have been two cases in New York State residents, both due to exposures on Long Island. There have been no cases in New York City or New York City residents.

Who gets HPS?
People exposed to rodent infested environments are at greatest risk for becoming infected. Hantavirus infection has been documented in 31 states in the U.S., from at least 3 different viruses. Sin Nombre virus has only been found in the western U.S.; Black Creek Canal virus and Bayou virus occur in the southeast; and Monongahela and New York-1 viruses have caused infections in the northeast. The New York-1 virus was responsible for two cases in New York State residents exposed on Long Island.

How are hantaviruses spread?
Rodents such as deer mice (which can be found in New York City) and cotton rats (which are not found in NYC) can be infected with hantaviruses. It is not known how hantaviruses spread in rodent populations. Infected rodents shed virus into their environment. Contaminated urine, f***s and dander from mouse nests can become aerosolized and serve as a source of infection in poorly ventilated areas. Human are infected when they inhale this contaminated material. Old world mice (like the domestic house mouse) and rats do not appear to be involved in hantavirus transmission. Person-to-person transmission does not occur.

What are the symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
Typical symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, cough, and headache. After several days, severe respiratory distress develops. The lungs may fill with fluid and victims may die of respiratory failure and shock.

How soon after infection do symptoms appear?
The incubation period is not clearly defined. Typically 1 to 2 weeks, but it may range from a few days up to 6 weeks.

How is HPS diagnosed?
Hantavirus infection can be diagnosed by antibody tests, or by testing tissues from a biopsy or autopsy specimens. Hantavirus testing requires specialized techniques, and is currently only available through the State Health Department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Does past infection with a hantavirus make a person immune?
No one has ever been reported to get a repeat case of HPS, however it is not known how long immunity lasts following infection. It is also not known whether infection with one virus protects against other similar viruses.

What is the treatment for hantavirus infections?
There is no known effective treatment for HPS. Respiratory supportive care is provided for patients in severe respiratory distress. Fatality from severe illness is 40-50%. Recovery is usually complete, though restoration of normal lung function may take weeks to months.

How can HPS be prevented?
The best way to prevent hantavirus infection is to control rodents both inside and outside the home, and take precautions when exposed to rodent infested environments.
Remove and secure trash around the home and workplace.
Dispose of dead rodents properly (use gloves and avoid directly handling the animal, individual rodents should be placed in a double plastic bag and placed in the trash.)
If infestation is severe, professional extermination may be necessary.
When cleaning up rodent droppings, wet them down first with a 10% bleach solution and wear gloves.
Avoid contact with rodents and rodent burrows when recreating outdoors.