LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: cough

  • Prevention Called Key to Heading Off COVID, Cold, Flu

    Prevention Called Key to Heading Off COVID, Cold, Flu

    Mary Schuermann Kuhlman and Public News Service

    Whether it’s COVID-19, the seasonal flu or a cold, health-care professionals say reducing your risk of illness starts with prevention.

    All three respiratory diseases are caused by viruses and share similar symptoms including a cough, sore throat and runny nose.

    Elena Roach, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner for The Healthcare Connection, a Cincinnati-area federally qualified health center, said actions we take to prevent the spread of COVID can reduce the risk of getting a cold or the flu.

    “Flu is spread from respiratory secretions, kind of like COVID,” Roach explained. “And you sneeze and cough and eat and drink and talk, flu can spread that way as well.”

    Roach pointed out last year’s mild flu season was the result of precautions taken during the pandemic. Those steps include avoiding close contact with people outside your household, frequent handwashing, and wearing a face mask while in indoor public places.

    Ohio’s daily COVID case count has nearly doubled in two months, now at roughly 7,200. Influenza activity still is low, but starting to rise.

    COVID spreads more easily than the flu and common cold and causes more serious illnesses, but Roach noted much like COVID, an infected person can spread the flu before they feel sick.

    “The flu is contagious even before symptoms start for about four days,” Roach emphasized. “And then for people who have been around somebody with the flu, like living in close quarters or close contact, symptoms can usually start within a week after contact.”

    A test can determine whether an illness is COVID or the seasonal flu, and Roach recommended calling a health-care provider if you are experiencing fever, body chills and other respiratory symptoms.

    “The good thing about the flu is that there is a treatment for the flu called Tamaflu,” Roach advised. “And as long as you start that within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms, it reduces your symptoms and the longevity of the course of the illness. “

    She said you can boost your protection from both illnesses by getting vaccinated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who are vaccinated and become infected with flu or COVID experience fewer symptoms and are much less likely to be hospitalized.

    References:  

    COVID-19 Dashboard Ohio Dept. of Health 2021
    Flu Dashboard Ohio Dept. of Health 2021
    Flu information CDC 12/20/2021
    COVID-19 information CDC 02/22/2021

  • Ohio Department of Health classifies 2019-novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) immediately reportable disease

    Ohio Department of Health classifies 2019-novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) immediately reportable disease

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the risk to the American public is low. 

    A News Release from the Ohio Department of Health

    COLUMBUS — Amy Acton, MD, MPH, Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), declared novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), an immediately reportable disease.

    By issuing a Director’s Journal Entry, Dr. Acton elevated 2019-nCoV to a Class A disease. This is a proactive step to ensure appropriate reporting of suspected cases, should the need arise in Ohio. No cases have been reported in Ohio to date. However, one case has been reported in Washington state and this step helps reinforce Ohio’s ongoing preparedness work.

    The Ohio Department of Health has been closely monitoring developments related to 2019-nCoV in tandem with the Centers for Disease Control. 2019-nCoV is considered a low risk to the American public, according to the CDC.

    Classifying a disease as Class A means that confirmed or suspected cases of 2019-nCoV must be reported immediately to the local health district where the person lives (or the local health district where the person is being evaluated if the person’s residence is unknown or not in Ohio). Required reporters include physicians providing care, administrators in charge of hospitals, clinics or other institutions providing care or treatment, laboratory administrators, or any individual having knowledge of a person with nCoV.

    What is 2019-nCoV?

    An outbreak of 2019-nCoV started in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Chinese authorities are reporting an ongoing spread of the virus in the community and so far more than 830 individuals are ill and 25 people have died. As families prepare to celebrate Chinese/Lunar New Year this week, multiple international travel advisories have been issued to help curb the spread of the illness.

    2019-nCoV is part of a large family of coronaviruses, some of which cause illness in people and others that circulate among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people. This happened with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2014, and now 2019-nCoV. These viruses may cause mild to severe respiratory illnesses with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

    How is Ohio tracking 2019-nCoV?

    Ohio’s public health system includes a team of state experts, local health departments, and local partners that perform daily monitoring of reportable diseases, including 2019-nCoV. ODH is closely monitoring the 2019-nCoV situation in lockstep with the Centers for Disease Control and is ready to respond if a case is reported in Ohio.

    “This situation is at the heart of public health,” said Dr. Acton. “We are working proactively with healthcare providers and local health districts/partners to identify and appropriately address emerging threats like novel Coronavirus.”

    What happens if a case is reported?

    • A case or suspected case of 2019-nCoV is reported to a local health department.
    • ODH reports to the CDC and, if indicated, patient specimens will be collected and shipped.
    • Currently, testing for this virus must take place at CDC.
    • ODH will work with local, state, and federal partners to investigate reports of 2019-nCoV in order to identify cases and prevent the spread of infection.

    What can you do to limit risk?        

    If you suspect you may have been exposed to 2019-nCoV because you have traveled to China or have been around people who may have been exposed and/or are exhibiting symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and let them know you may have been exposed to 2019-nCoV before visiting the healthcare facility. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take precautionary steps to keep other people from being exposed.

    Just as with influenza and other illnesses, it’s critical to protect yourself. Experts at the Ohio Department of Health recommend these tips:

    • Practice good hand hygiene.
    • Follow appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette.
    • Don’t go to work or school when you feel ill. Stay home and rest.
    • Avoid exposure to others who are sick.

    “Anticipatory action like this is critical to ensuring that we are protecting Ohioans,” Dr. Acton said. “It is our sincere hope that this virus does not spread but if it does, Ohio’s public health system is prepared.”

    Although 2019-nCoV is an emerging illness, the Ohio Department of Health has addressed similar issues in the past including two previous coronavirus outbreaks, MERS in 2014 and SARS in 2003.

    In addition to the latest work of declaring 2019-nCoV a Class A disease, ODH also routinely collaborates with healthcare providers, local health departments, local health partners, and the CDC to share information and best practices for addressing other potential infectious diseases.

    For more information about 2019-nCoV, visit our website at www.odh.ohio.gov.

  • Ohio Department of Health urges earlier vaccination as flu season approaches

    Ohio Department of Health urges earlier vaccination as flu season approaches

    With the approach of flu season, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is recommending all Ohioans 6 months and older get a flu shot as soon as possible. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging vaccination by the end of October.

    Flu activity traditionally begins to increase in October.

    Flu activity traditionally begins to increase in October and can last as late as May, with cases typically peaking between December and February. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the best protection against seasonal flu viruses. Flu vaccines have been updated this year to better match circulating flu viruses.

    Flu vaccines have been updated this year to better match circulating flu viruses.

    “Flu vaccination can help keep you from getting sick, missing work or school, and prevent flu-related hospitalization and death,” said Sietske de Fijter, State Epidemiologist and Chief, Bureau of Infectious Diseases. “Getting your flu shot helps protect all, including older adults, very young children, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.” Symptoms of influenza can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.

    “If you are sick with the flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading it to others,” said de Fijter.

    Although most people fully recover from the flu, some experience severe illness like pneumonia and respiratory failure, and the flu can sometimes be fatal. People who think that they may have the flu and are pregnant, have an underlying medical condition, or who are extremely ill should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

    Other effective ways to avoid getting or spreading it include: washing hands frequently or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer; covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or coughing or sneezing into elbows; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth; and staying home when sick and until fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.

    Flu vaccines are offered by many doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers and some schools. While vaccination provides the greatest protection against the flu, other effective ways to avoid getting or spreading it include: washing hands frequently or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer; covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or coughing or sneezing into elbows; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth; and staying home when sick and until fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.

    CDC recommends that healthcare providers administer prescription antiviral medication as a second line of defense as soon as possible to patients with confirmed or suspected flu who are hospitalized, have severe illness, or may be at higher risk for flu complications.

    More information about influenza and flu activity in Ohio is available at www.flu.ohio.gov.

    New classes starting September 4th at Sangha Yoga in Historic Downtown

    Advertisement Sangha Yoga Studio in Loveland is offering 60 minute AM Yoga classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, beginning September 4th at 9:30 AM.