Health Matters

          A common question in practice is whether people should be wearing face masks to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. We know a key transmitter of COVID-19 is via droplets that can fly out of our mouths when we speak, cough and sneeze. Public Health Ontario recommends wearing a mask if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are caring for someone with COVID-19. Unless you have symptoms of COVID-19, there is no clear evidence that wearing a mask will protect you from the virus, however it may help protect others around you that may be sick.



          There are different types of masks that you may have seen when out getting groceries or going for a walk and it is important to discuss the difference between these appliances. Medical masks include surgical and N95 masks. Surgical masks can block 95% of small particles but do not fit tightly around the face, therefore do not provide complete protection. N95 masks are respiratory devices designed to filtrate airborne particles.

          Non- medical masks or “cloth masks” can act as an additional barrier for yourself and others around you when worn for short periods of time. Although non- medical masks provide an extra barrier, they may not be effective in blocking virus particles due to the loose fit and non- medical materials used. If you do choose to wear a non- medical mask you must wash your hands immediately before putting it on and taking it off, avoid touching your face while using it and make sure to change the mask as soon as it is damp or soiled.



           Health Canada recommends that both surgical and N95 masks be reserved for healthcare workers or those providing care to COVID-19 patients since these are critical supplies. Wearing a cloth mask has not been proven to protect the person wearing it but it can be an additional measure to protect others around you when physical distancing is not possible in public settings. New preliminary evidence suggests that non- medical masks in combination with public health measures could help prevent the spread of COVID-19. But remember, strict handwashing and physical distancing are key in reducing exposure to COVID-19 and wearing a mask should never be a substitute for these measures.
 

References:
Public Health Ontario 2020 -https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/factsheet/factsheet-covid-19-how-to-wear-mask.pdf?la=en
Centre of Disease Prevention and Control 2020- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Government of Canada 2020- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/instructions-sew-no-sew-cloth-face-covering.html

All vaccines are administered free of charge to eligible patients.
Talk to your Nurse Practitioner today!

Infants

• Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus Influenza type B- DTaP-IPV-Hib- given at age 2,3,6 and 18 months
• Pneumococcal Conjugate 13- Prevnar 13- given at age 2,4, and 12 months
• Rotavirus- Rot 1- given at ages 2 and 4 months
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella- MMR- given at age 12 months
• Varicella- (chicken pox)- given at age 15 months

Children

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella- MMRV, given between 4-6 years old
• Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis, Polio- TdAp- given between 4-6 years old
• Hepatitis B- given in grade 7
• Meningococcal Conjugate ACYW-135- Menactra given in grade 7

Adolescents

ü Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis- Adacel- given between 14-16 years old

Adults

• Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis- Adacel- given once in adulthood, then Td every 10 years after
• Tetanus, Diptheria- Td- every 10 years

Older Adults >65 years old

• Pneumonia Vaccine- Pneumovax 23- given once over age 65 years
• Shingles Vaccine- Zostavax- given between 65-70 years old 

 

Do ticks spread disease?
Ticks can spread diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. “Deer Ticks” spread the bacteria that cause Lyme disease (Borrelia Burgdorfen). This is most likely to be transmitted if the tick has been attached to you for more than 24 hours.

What is Lyme Disease?

• bacterial infection spread through the bite of a blacklegged tick
• these ticks are found in South Western Ontario most commonly during the months of April to November

Symptoms: Usually occur within 1-2 weeks but can occur as soon as three days after a bite or as long as a month after

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pains
• Fatigue
• Skin rash that looks like a red bull’s eye
• Numbness or tingling
• Swollen lymph nodes

How to Protect Yourself

• Cover up, wear long sleeved shirts and pants
• Avoid walking in tall grass, stay on the center of paths
• Wear light coloured clothing to easily spot ticks
• Tuck your pants into your socks and wear closed toe shoes
• Use insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET
•  Do a fully body check on yourself, children and pets are after being outdoors
• Shower within 2 hours of being outdoors
• Put your clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 60 minutes
• Put a tick collar on your pets
• Keep your grass cut short

What if I get bit?

• Quickly remove tick with a tick key or tweezers
• Wash the bite and surrounding area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol
• Do not dispose of the tick. Keep it in a container with a damp paper towel.
• Contact your health care provider for further instructions. 

With all of the different viruses and infections circulating in the community during cold and flu season it can be difficult to decide what type of a setting is best to assess and treat your condition. The helpful charts below can help you to make the decision that is best for you and your needs.

Nurse Practitioner Clinic	Urgent Care Clinic	Emergency Room
-  Abdominal pain- mild	-  Allergic reactions- moderate	-  Bleeding that will not stop
-  Allergic reactions- mild	-  Asthma attacks         - mild to moderate	-  Bone breaks, compound fracture
-  Colds, coughs and flu	-  Dehydrations or heat exhaustion	-  Unable to urinate
-  Ear and eye infections	-  Minor fractures	-  Fever in babies (under 3 months old)
-  Fever	-  Skin cuts requiring stitches	-  Loss or change in vision
-  Minor burns	-  All other ailments that could be cared for at your primary care provider’s office if after hours	-  Major cuts, lacerations
-  Minor eye injuries		-  Motor vehicle accidents
-  Scrapes, minor cuts and bruises		-  Seizure w/o existing condition
-  Sinus infections		-  Serious burn
-  Skin infections and rashes		-  Snake bite
-  Sore throat		-  Head, spine and serious neck or back injury
-  Sports injuries, falls, sprains and strains		-  Sudden difficulty breathing
-  Urinary tract infections		-  Sudden loss of consciousness
-  Vomiting and diarrhea		-  Suicidal thoughts
		-  Symptoms of heart attack or stroke
		-  Vaginal bleeding if pregnant
		-  Vomiting or coughing up blood