Hospital worker with dangerous condition helps to raise awareness

11:00am Thursday 10th May 2012 in Bradford by Claire Lomax

Cath Seal in her mobility scooter, which she bought after being diagnosed with vasculitis

ing a national drive during May to raise awareness of vasculitis – a rare disease which can kill.

The awareness month is being led by Vasculitis UK, which supports sufferers.

Cath Seal, 47, who works at Airedale Hospital near Steeton, has spoken about her diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome – a form of vasculitis, as part of the campaign.

Vasculitis is the overall name for a group of potentially life-threatening diseases. it involves an overactive immune system and inflammation of the blood vessels, which can cause blockages and death of tissue.

different types of vasculitis can cause loss of sight, deafness, kidney failure, skin scarring and damage to lungs, the brain, nervous system and the heart and ultimately loss of body parts. The cause is not known and there is no cure, but it can usually be controlled by drugs such as steroids and immune suppressants.

some of the common symptoms include: flu-like with muscle and joint pains; fever; unexplained weight loss, ulcers that do not go away; immense fatigue; palpitations; weakness in limbs; sinus problems; persistent cough and shortness of breath.

John Mills, chairman of Vasculitis UK, said: “Vasculitis affects people of all ages and both sexes. it can cause serious illness, even death, if not dealt with promptly. The problem is the symptoms are easily confused with other illness and so the disease can go unrecognised for a long time.”

The charity will be launching a ‘route map’ for the disease at its annual meeting on Thursday, May 17 which has been commissioned and funded by the Department of Health as part of an encyclopaedia of rare diseases useful for health professionals and patients.

Vasculitis UK is revamping its website this month – vasculitis.org.uk – and has recently set up an online discussion group for members at vasculitis-uk.healthunlocked.com.

it also runs a Facebook page, email and telephone helpline for vasculitis patients every week. Contact pat.fearnside@btinternet.com for more information.

Cath Seal is slowly returning to work eight months after being diagnosed with Churg-Strauss syndrome – a form of vasculitis.

She has had to buy an automatic car and have it adapted as she has completely lost the sensation in her right foot due to the disease. Her job requires her to get around the large site of Airedale Hospital and so she has bought a scooter to make sure she is mobile. She still takes high doses of drugs to keep the disease under control and is under the care of Airedale Hospital’s rheumatology team.

The 47-year-old had suffered from allergies including rhinitis for a long time and they had recently got much worse causing her to have regular sneezing fits. then she suddenly developed asthma in February and had a flu virus which lasted for a couple of months leaving her totally wiped out. She developed sciatic pain after going on holiday to Turkey last September which grew worse.

She said: “I was lucky as they caught my disease early. it came to light in a blood test which showed that my cells, which were supposed to be attacking foreign bodies as part of my natural immune system, were actually attacking healthy cells.

“The problem with vasculitis is that it is incredibly difficult to diagnose as it can affect many parts of your body.

“Because it is such a rare disease most health professionals have never even heard of it. this does make it very scary and difficult to get accurate information about the disease. I recently went along to the Yorkshire support groups held in Doncaster – and was impressed by what a wonderful job is being done by a few dedicated volunteers who run Vasculitis UK.”

SAN BERNARDINO – Adam Quintana woke up Saturday not feeling well because of flu-like symptoms, but he knew he needed to pick up a win on the mound if San Bernardino Valley College was going to make the playoffs.

The former San Gorgonio standout felt great, however, after going eight strong innings and allowing just two runs and striking out 10 to lead the Wolverines to a 15-2 Foothill Conference victory over visiting Antelope Valley.

The 21st win of the season ensured San Bernardino Valley of its first playoff trip since 2005 and Quintana helped his own cause with two hits and three runs scored as his high school coach Bill Eatinger looked on.

San Bernardino (21-14 overall) finished 16-8 in conference and tied Chaffey for second place, but the Wolverines won the head-to-head season series two games to one. Quintana also improved to 6-2 and lowered his ERA to 1.61.

“Adam didn’t feel well at all this morning and I asked him if he still wanted the ball and he didn’t hesitate in answering,” manager Bill Mierzwik said.

“He’s a warrior and after the second inning, he really settled down and hit his spots and was very effective.”

Joseph Szczepanski was excellent in the leadoff spot for San Bernardino Valley as the freshman first baseman went 4 for 5 with three runs scored and two RBIs to pace the Wolverines’ 12-hit attack.

Brett Torrence had two hits, a run scored and an RBI, but it was his play on defense that tilted the momentum in the Wolverines’ favor.

Antelope Valley’s (14-20, 11-13) Ryan Marshall singled home Cory DeRush in the top of the fourth to give the Marauder’s a 2-1 lead and looked like to make it more, but Torrence’s throw to the plate retired Aaron Owen to end the inning and minimized the damage.

San Bernardino Valley took the momentum in the bottom of the fourth and scored six runs on four hits and capitalized on four Antelope Valley errors to take a commanding 7-2 lead.

“Getting out of the top of that inning and getting six runs in the bottom took all the pressure I was feeling away and I was able to relax and do my job,” Quintana said. “It feels great after falling just short of making the playoffs last year to do it this season.

“Later in the game, I felt like I was hitting my spots and mixing my pitches well.”

Josh Alonzo was just 1 for 4, but the Wolverines’ second baseman scored three runs and drove in three.

“We did a lot of things well today,” Mierzwik said. “We got some timely hitting, took advantage of some of their mistakes and even though we needed a three-game sweep to make the postseason our kids played with a lot of composure.”

Four Antelope Valley pitchers combined to walk six batters and hit five more in a long day for the Marauders.

Marshall had two hits and two RBIs for Antelope Valley.

Kevin Verdeja went the final inning for the Wolverines and struck out two batters in the ninth inning.

The Estes Park Bobcats boys swim team hits a rough stretch, between illness, injury and competition. The ‘Cats have lost to Silver Creek and Greeley Central while defeating Northridge.Coaches commented that the Bobcats had more boys injured or sick than the Grizzlies had brought from Northridge. Sophomore Forrest Beesley turned an ankle during spring break and is on crutches while Andrew Park has an arm in a sling from a dislocated elbow. several other Bobcats were suffering flu symptoms.On Tuesday, the boys traveled to Longmont to take on the large Raptor squad from Silver Creek. The Bobcats managed only two first-place finishes, 100-yard backstroke, in which Luke Holmes took first and TJ Hall took second, and diving, where Nate Dewitt took first and will Casey took second.The rest of the lineup was jumbled to cover for missing teammates. in the end the ‘Cats lost 120-64.On Thursday, the Bobcats hosted Greeley Central and Northridge for a triangular meet. again, with injury and sickness, the results weren’t what the Estes Park team would normally hope.Highlights included senior Luke Holmes posting a state qualifying time in the 100-yard butterfly, 1:01.13, and a first place. Alex Franklin swam the 500-yard freestyle in 6:14.39, also good for first. Casey and Dewitt switched places with Casey nabbing first in diving with 167.05 points and Dewitt earning 150.55. Jamie Steadman completed the sweep with 90.05 points and third place.The meet was scored as two duals. The Bobcats easily defeat the tired and tiny four-man team from Northridge, 113-38. The ‘Cats came up a bit short against Greeley Central, however, 94-78.The Bobcat re back on the road next week hen they head to Longmont on Tuesday to take on the Trojans at 4 p.m. on Thursday, the boys head down the big Thompson Canyon to Loveland for a duel against traditional powerhouse Thompson Valley. that meet is also scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

The Pocono area ducked the flu this winter, but we didn’t get off scot-free.

The region is seeing a rash of nasty stomach viruses — the kind that keep you close to home.

Cases of the stomach bug have more than tripled locally, said Dr. Susheer Gandotra, medical director of infectious diseases at Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg.

Also known as gastroenteritis, it’s an inflammation of the intestines. the culprit is typically a norovirus, the most common food-borne illness in the United States, according to Stroudsburg gastroenterologist Dr. Charles Cohan.

Symptoms usually include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Low-grade fevers sometime occur.

“Nausea and vomiting is first to go away, followed by abdominal pain, which resolves second. Diarrhea is third — it usually goes away in five days,” Cohan said.

For most healthy people with properly functioning immune systems, the virus is hardly ever dangerous.

“The overwhelming majority of cases resolve without treatment whatsoever,” Cohan said. “Keep yourself hydrated. the best formula is water with sugar and electrolytes or sports drinks like Gatorade.”

Noroviruses are highly contagious, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. the illness usually is over in 24 to 48 hours, but people can still feel run down for a few days after.

“The danger is major dehydration,” said Dr. Jeff Jahre, section chief of infectious diseases at St. Luke’s University Health Network.

Between 80 and 90 percent of stomach bugs are viral in origin, not bacterial, according to Cohan.

“Assuming the person’s immune system is intact, your immune system will overcome the virus and you typically will get better,” he said.

At greatest risk are young children, the elderly and people who are already sick. “They are more prone to get dehydrated,” Gandotra said.

In a separate report released last week, the CDC said noroviruses are more deadly than previously realized. the report says that, on average, they were linked to 800 deaths a year in the U.S., but deaths also doubled in years where new strains emerged. the study looked at gastroenteritis-related deaths from 1999 to 2007 and showed that noroviruses ranked second among the causes.

“Our findings highlight the need for effective measures to prevent, diagnose and manage gastroenteritis,” said lead researcher Aron Hall.

Noroviruses can spread through contaminated food or water and by touching contaminated surfaces, the CDC says.

Contamination occurs, Jahre said, through what health officials politely call the “fecal-oral route,” meaning it’s likely spread first by someone who did not wash his hands after using the bathroom or after vomiting.

In addition, people who have been sick remain contagious for three days to two weeks, the CDC said, so being vigilant is important to stop the spread of the illness.

Gandotra said the outbreak will probably last another few weeks, but it’s impossible to say for sure.

If there is a bright spot, he added, it’s what the illness is not — the flu. Influenza, a much more serious and often deadly virus, has been “virtually non-existent” this year, Jahre said.

Laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Pennsylvania fell 96 percent this winter, from 9,851 last year to 367 this year.

Monroe County had four cases positively identified as influenza this year compared with 130 last year — a 97 percent drop. Pike reported an 81 percent drop, from 16 a year ago to three this year.

MCT Information Services contributed to this story.

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Flu season normally peaks around February — but at USC, it hasn’t this year.

The Thomson Student Health Center has only reported one positive flu case on campus so far this flu season, and that was just in the last week, according to Nicole Carrico, a Student Health Services administrator.

The health center usually sees positive flu cases as soon as students return to campus after fall break, Carrico said.

“This year has been quite unusual, not only for our campus, but also the larger community in terms of flu spread, and we’re not exactly sure why,” Carrico said.

Richland and Lexington counties have seen a similarly inactive flu season so far, Carrico said. Data from the Centers for Disease Control show that the number of flu cases has been below average across the country.

There have been only 12 positively confirmed flu test results reported in South Carolina in the past four months, including six in the last week, according to weekly flu surveillance reports from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The CDC monitors flu activity in the U.S. year-round and releases weekly reports of flu data during the official flu season. The most recently released CDC data from the week of Jan. 15 to 21 reported that “influenza activity in the United States remained relatively low.” There were 175 positive cases of the flu aroundthe nation for the week.

“We’re not in the clear yet with flu this year on campus,” Carrico said.

She added that two years ago the outbreak of the H1N1 virus caused two peaks in one flu season.

“[A peak] could hit us later this spring or even this summer, which is why we’re encouraging everyone to come in the health center and get the flu vaccine,” Carrico said.

The best way to prevent the flu is to be vaccinated, Carrico said. she added that almost 2,000 students, faculty and staff have received flu vaccines from the health center so far this academic year, and the health center has access to an unlimited supply of the vaccine.

Carrico described a concept called “herd immunity,” which states that if a certain percentage of a population is vaccinated against a particular contagion, then members who are not immune are less likely to become infected because the vaccinated members act like firewalls to the disease.

“So it really is true that if one person is vaccinated against the flu, it can end up protecting many, many more people,” she said.

Common flu symptoms may include high fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough and dizziness or fatigue. The virus usually lasts one to two weeks, and patients are able to spread the virus one day before symptoms develop and five to seven days after symptoms appear, according to the CDC.

Carrico said the flu is more contagious when people live in close proximity to other people, sit in classrooms shared by thousands of students and share facilities with a campus community of around 30,000 people.

“It’s tough to avoid touching a contaminated surface,” Carrico said.

Students experiencing flu-like symptoms are encouraged to make an appointment with Student Health Services. Health Services also recommends that students with symptoms isolate themselves, except to receive medical attention, until at least 24 hours after fever subsides.

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 17 (UPI) — more than 80 percent of U.S. adults say someone with the flu should cancel obligations, but 64 percent say they should go about their business, a survey found.

As part of its “Are you that Guy?” influenza education campaign, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases is partnering with the Emily Post Institute to remind Americans to contain the flu.

“While people recognize that the flu virus spreads easily, they admit to tossing proper etiquette aside when they have the flu,” Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post and co-author of the 18th edition of the Emily Post’s Etiquette book, said in a statement.

One-third of people surveyed said they would call their doctor if they suspected the flu.

“It’s important to know the symptoms of the flu so individuals can visit a doctor quickly to get properly treated before they risk spreading it to others,” Dr. Susan J. Rehm, medical director at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, said in a statement. “Every year, millions of Americans get the flu. we are all personally responsible for controlling its spread.”

In the workplace, Post advises employees to tell their boss right away they need to get to the doctor.

“Say: ‘I don’t feel well — I need to see a doctor,’” Post said. “I think I might have the flu.”

During air travel, if you are seated next to someone with the flu, Post said it’s OK to consider saying: “I can see you’re not feeling well — would you mind covering your mouth when you cough? thanks.”

Influenza season runs until April so it’s not too late to get immunized against influenza — commonly called the flu.

It’s a highly contagious infection of the airways caused by the influenza virus and can spread rapidly infecting those around you.

Each year, influenza causes illness among millions of Canadians.

“Some people resign themselves to getting sick in the winter months but influenza is not a mild illness like the common cold,” says Dr. Susan Bowles, chair of the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion. “Influenza is a serious viral infection with symptoms of cough, fever, fatigue and weakness, headache, general aches and pains and respiratory congestion, and it can take several weeks to recover.”

Influenza can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, for some individuals.

It is estimated that between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians can die of influenza and its complications annually, depending on the severity of the season.

“There have been about a dozen confirmed cases of a new variant of H3N2 reported in the US but this new strain has not been seen in Canada at this point,” Dr. Bowles said.

“This year’s influenza immunization includes an H3N2 that matches the H3N2 virus that is circulating in Canada. It is a safe and effective way to prevent getting sick and spreading the virus to those around you.”

Influenza activity is increasing in Canada and it is not too late to protect yourself and your family by getting immunized.

Talk to your local public health department or your health care provider about getting this year’s influenza vaccine.

Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition January 16, 2012

#Frontrunner A CNBC-TV18 Exclusive IIM-A creamier of the creamiest B-schools

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#Australian Open Sydney semis: Tearful Wozniacki injured in defeat

Wozniacki, who needed a medical timeout after the third game of the final set to have her left wrist taped, lost to seventh-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska.

#India vs Australia India’s top four batsmen have to click in Perth: Yuvraj

“if India has to do well guys like Viru, Sachin, Rahul and Laxman all have to fire together, get good partnerships going and I am sure they will bounce back in the next Test match,” Yuvraj said.

#CultureDecoder We are all Players now

Players might look like just another slick Bollywood copy of a Hollywood film. But that’s misreading it, says Shiv Visvanathan. This is an original copy — under the glossy packaging is a message, starting with the title itself.

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#ConnectTheDots India’s babus need a mental makeover

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Health officials confirm one case of norovirus By Tram Whitehurst, Jackson Hole, Wyoming January 2, 2012

Teton County public health officials have confirmed one case of norovirus and suspect other people who have reported symptoms may also have the illness.Although several samples have yet to come back from the state lab, the fact that at least one case has been con-firmed means others are likely positive as well, Terri Gregory, Teton County Public Health manager, said.“we continue to have people call in reporting symptoms,” she said. “It’s pretty widespread at this point.”Norovirus, or “stomach flu,” is spread through contaminated foods or surfaces. Symptoms — including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps — generally last one to two days.Health officials urge residents to frequently wash their hands, disinfect surfaces and stay home from work or school if they are sick. If the virus is not kept in check, Gregory said, it could last all winter.This is the first winter during which county health officials have investigated the presence of norovirus. Traditionally, it has been a summer illness, hitting the county particularly hard last summer.Gregory said she thinks increased awareness of the virus could be the reason why people are reporting symptoms this winter. “I’m beginning to think it’s a year-round illness, but it just flares up during busy times, like summer and Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said.on the bright side, Gregory said the number of influenza cases in the county is still low, though influenza season typically doesn’t hit until January and February.“It would be miserable to have them both,” Gregory said of norovirus and the flu.Although the influenza vaccine does not protect against norovirus, health officials urge residents to get their flu shot.for information, contact Teton County Public Health at 733-6401.

So there you are. Sick. You’ve valiantly tried to fend it off but finally succumbed to all the symptoms promoted on the TV cold/flu commercials, and now you’re down. Or at least you should be.

But there’s a looming deadline at work, you’re overwhelmed with projects, pressures from the boss. Sick leave is exhausted, and you can’t miss a day’s pay, so you soldier on, incurring fear and loathing from co-workers who treat you like you have a contagious disease — which, just so happens, you do.

And the great debate rages on: do you go to work sick or stay home?

“Stay home,” said Dr. Steve O’Brien, vice president of medical affairs at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland. “Nobody wants a sick person coming into the office. Think about it. you know you don’t like it when someone comes in sniffling and coughing all over the place. so don’t do that to them.”

Seems like common sense for the common cold and flu season — after all, who wouldn’t prefer to stay home, slurp some soup and catch up on daytime TV? But in this economy, it’s often a rare luxury, and the health of one’s bank account sometimes comes first and people force themselves to the office. There’s even a newly coined word for it: presenteeism. (The opposite of absenteeism.)

Joseph Siti, a woodworker in Berkeley, has been sick with the flu at least four times this year but has to go into his shop to meet deadlines. “I own my own business, so if I stop, I don’t make any money, and I don’t know when the next job is coming in.”

Even during the 2009 H1N1 crisis, when the Centers for Disease Control told people with flulike symptoms to stay home, more than 8 million struggled to work sick between September and November that year, according to a report from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

“If a person doesn’t have interaction with other people, you can go to work,” said Amy Nichols, director of hospital epidemiology and infection control at UCSF Medical Center. “But if you are symptomatic and working with the public and sharing surfaces or handling things other people will handle, stay home. Definitely if you have a fever or feel hot/cold with chills, stay home at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.

“I don’t care what your job is, the world will not stop if you don’t go to work,” she said. “It’s critical for contagion control, to avoid the domino effect.”

Tanya Tomassini, a project controller for an IT company in San Ramon, knows all about those dominoes. She was to fly out on a trip to Europe the day before Thanksgiving, but a few days before that, a couple of co-workers came into the office — very sick co-workers. She tried to avoid them like the plague, but to no avail.

“I ended up with one of the worst flu bugs imaginable,” Tomassini said. “I had to change my nonrefundable flights, which cost me $400, and I was too sick to even spend Thanksgiving with my family. Long story short, if you’re sick, stay home!” she said. “You don’t realize how much you can affect someone unintentionally.”

Businesses want you to stay away, too, if you’re truly ill.

Michelle Mendoza, owner of Connect HR, a human resources consulting firm in San Jose, admits it’s a tough subject.

“Here in Silicon Valley, there’s that passion of wanting to work all the time, but if you stay home one or two days, you get better faster instead of having it drag out for a couple of weeks.”

Generally, most companies have some type of sick leave policy or PTO (paid time off) available, she said. “From an employer’s standpoint, there’s a big incentive to give workers time to get better faster. many provide on-site flu shots or incentives for workers to get shots at the drugstore. It costs the employer money, but it’s less costly than having multiple people out sick. Or working sick and losing productivity.”

Indeed, a report by researchers at Cornell University found that ill workers on the job could account for up to 60-percent of corporate health costs.

“Your level of productivity drops significantly when you’re under the weather, said physician and radio personality Dr. Dean Edell. “There was a study showing that driving ability is impaired when you have the flu, to the equivalent of having a couple of drinks. so imagine how that affects your efficiency at work if you’re foggy-headed, taking any cold or flu medications that impair cognition.”

The best thing you can do to keep from spreading disease — or getting it — is wash your hands and keep work surfaces clean, said Bay Area health and fitness expert Joanie Greggains. “Avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu such as people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease, pregnant women, young children and infants.”

Oh, and stay home.

“You’re going to get much better much faster,” O’Brien said. “Do it for your co-workers, but do it for yourself, too.”

Good ‘home sick’ DVDs

(Fun, not too stressful and won’t make you think too hard)1. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”2. “Home Alone”3. “Ghostbusters”4. “The Princess Bride”5. “Roman Holiday”

Bad ‘home sick’ DVDs

(Not helpful to watch people dying of disease)1. “Contagion”2. “Terms of Endearment”3. “Outbreak”4. “The Andromeda Strain”5. “The Omega Man”