The Putnam County Health Department is offering the H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine to people who fall into the CDC’s priority groups.

The free vaccine clinic will be held on Saturday, Nov.7 at the Putnam Valley Middle School in Putnam Valley from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Due to limited quantities, the vaccine will only be given to pregnant women, people caring for infants under 6 months old, health-care workers who have direct patient care and people six months to 24 years old.

You must live or work in Putnam County to receive the vaccine at this event.

The county is also sponsoring two seasonal flu clinics on election day from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brewster High School and Haldane School for all New York state residents.

The seasonal flu shot doesn’t protect against the H1N1 flu and vice versa.

Check the Putnam County Department of Health Flu Vaccine Hotline at 845-278-6130 for further updates.

A shampoo to protect against the H1N1 virus? A dietary supplement that does the same? How about a spray that claims to leave a layer of ionic silver on one’s hands that kills the flu virus? 

The are all among the quack cures that have come to the attention of the Food and Drug Administration.

The federal agency has developed a widget that can be dowloaded  that lists phony swine flu cures.  Since May 2009, FDA has warned more than 75 Web sites to stop the sale of more than 135 products with fraudulent H1N1 influenza virus claims.

Consumers are urged to only purchase FDA-approved products from licensed pharmacies located in the United States, and should contact their health professional if they have any questions or concerns about medical products or personal protective equipment.

As many as 5. 7 million people nationwide had symptoms of the swine flu from the time the pandemic started in the April until July, according to a new article in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Using computer models based on reported cases of the illness, scientists estimated that between 1.8 million and 5.7 million people were infected during that time.

The scientists estimated that as many as 800 people in the U.S. died after being infected with the swine flu virus.

Nyack Hospital will hold its annual diabetes symposium from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 4. The event will include educational and motivational speakers,  the latest information on diabetes management.

Participants will  learn how to enjoy eating out,  find food facts of favorite recipes, pick up pointers from a personal trainer on how to get in shape. A speaker will talk about how he  was motivated by the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes to become an avid cyclist and went on to lose seventy pounds.

The event include a light dinner and a raffle. Preregistration is required. To register,  call 845-348-2004.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved use of the seasonal influenza vaccine Fluarix for children ages 3 years to 17 years. Previously, this vaccine, which contains inactivated influenza A and B viruses, had been approved for use in adults, ages 18 years and older.

The safety and effectiveness of Fluarix for use in children ages 3 years and older is documented by  a U.S. study comparing 2,115 children who received Fluarix with 1,210 children who received Fluzone, a different influenza vaccine already licensed by the FDA for use in children ages 6 months and older. Study results showed that children 3 years and older vaccinated with Fluarix and Fluzone produced similar amounts of antibodies in the blood at levels considered likely to be protective against seasonal influenza.

Read more about the FDA’s decision here.

 

Support Connection Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Services is holding a teleconference  discussion  about Parenting While Going Through Breast Cancer.

The discussion will take place November 18 at 8 p.m. It is a topic-focused session of an ongoing breast cancer telephone support group that meets monthly. The unique advantage of a telephone support group is that it is accessible to women regardless of where they live and without having to leave their homes. It will be an opportunity for women with young children to participate in a support group discussion about raising children while undergoing cancer treatments.

Participants in this discussion will have the opportunity to share their concerns and learn from one another about the impact of cancer on their parental roles and their children’s lives. The discussion will be led by the support group’s regular facilitator, Robin Perlmutter,  Support Connection Clinical Director, who is also a breast cancer survivor and a mother.

Advance registration required is required. Call  914-962-6402 or 800-532-4290 or go here.

from Danbury Hospital:

Danbury Hospital hosts an energizing Spirit of Women Wellness Weekend at the Danbury Fair Center Court (lower level) on Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Danbury Hospital’s Spirit Wellness Weekend is a fun-filled Saturday on October 17th where health education, health screenings, and other fun activities will be woven throughout the five hours to emphasize the importance of awareness of common health issues affecting women today.

Along with these important educational segments, the afternoon will also include some empowering and essential health tips and screenings for women:
· fashion shows featuring breast cancer survivors modeling women’s active clothing and lounge wear at 2 and 4 p.m.,
· private bra fittings courtesy of Macy’s,
· flower arranging demonstrations by Confetti
· plus several high-“zenergy” fun, free activities,
· seasonal flu shots,
· and a chance to talk face-to-face with leading women physicians about your health questions.

Spirit Wellness Weekendis organized and hosted by Danbury Hospital, a member of the Spirit of Women Hospital Network, with support provided by some Danbury Mall stores, Star 99.9 FM, and other local business sponsors.

Take Charge of Your Health
“Our health is our best investment,” said Patricia Tietjen, MD, FCCP, FACP, Chair, Danbury Hospital Department of Medicine. “As women, we are always looking for the latest health information to ensure our family’s health and wellness, but we often end up neglecting our own health.” Visitors can sign up right then and there for their screening mammogram and for those who can’t afford a mammogram, there will be information on Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening grants.

Latest Advancements in Breast Health
Statistics show that breast and gynecological cancers are among the leading malignancies that occur in women—together affecting more than 280,000 Americans in 2008 according to the American Cancer Society. Most women will have no risk factors other than being a woman and increasing age. As women, we sometimes put ourselves at the bottom of the list but it’s important to get routine screenings done. “For women at high risk because of family history or other factors it’s essential to have a conversation with your doctor to discuss this risk,” said Pat Hough RN, MSN, Manager, Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital. “Detected early, survival rates for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in a localized stage is over 98 percent. That’s a very important reason why annual mammography screening continues to be so vital,” Pat and other health professionals will be at the Danbury Fair to give you information on the latest advancements in mammography that will benefit you and your loved ones.
Health Screenings Feature Flu Prevention and Preparedness
Flu season has started and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports influenza is ranked seven on the list of leading causes of death in the United States. These topics and more are discussed at the Spirit Wellness Weekend on Saturday, October 17th. Seasonal flu shots will be made available both days by the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association.
To learn more about Danbury Hospital’s Spirit of Women programs go to Danbury Hospital.org/spiritofwomen.

Spirit of Women is a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women’s lives with innovative health and community programs. Spirit of Women Hospitals touch the lives of millions of women each year through the presentation of educational events, consumer membership programs, annual conferences, marketing communications and grassroots efforts to improve the health and well-being of women everywhere. Spirit of Women enables participating hospitals to focus on community needs while providing the strength of national support.

One in every 91 children, or one percent of youngsters between the ages of 3-17 have autism, according to a new study. The findings show an increase in rates of the disease, which experts had long estimated occurred in one of every 150 children.

The report, entitled “Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the US,” was published in today’s issue of Pediatrics. It  was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services National Survey of Children’s Health, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report was conducted via a telephone survey of over 78,000 parents, and determined a point prevalence of 110 per 10,000 respondents, roughly 1 percent of the population of children in the United States.

from White Plains Hospital:

White Plains Hospital Center and the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps will team up to present free lectures entitled “What You and Your Family Should Know About H1N1 (Swine) Flu” which will be held from 1-2 PM, Tuesday, October 13 and 7:30 to 8:30 PM, Wednesday, October 21. The discussions will be held at the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps at 5 Weaver Street.

Two prominent physicians at White Plains Hospital Center will be the presenters—Timothy Haydock, MD, Director of the Emergency Department and Eric Larsen, MD., Associate Director of the Emergency Department.

They will present facts about the H1N1 Flu including symptoms, treatment options, prevention methods, and everything else individuals and families will need to know to prepare for the flu season.