PULSE Magazine | January 2019 Issue PE

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PULSE Magazine is the interactive monthly news magazine of Austin-Travis County EMS. Click, open, read, share, enjoy!

P U L S E January 2019 ANAUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY EMS PUBLICATION

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January 2019

Contents

Featured News

ATCEMS IN THE NEWS

On January 10, 2019 Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge addressed attendees of the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) in Austin, where he got to personally thank the ATCEMS medics and Austin firefighters who saved his life in 2017.

NEW BEGINNNGS & NEW LIFE

What an honor to be present during the birth of a child! Three EMS crews recently took part in bring- ing new life into the world made even more special by the gratitude of the new mothers and their families .

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SURVIVOR STORIES

This month we are proud to share the stories of two incredibly courageous former patients who wanted to meet and thank in person the medics, firefighters and STAR Flight personnel who saved their lives.

NEW RE-FORMATTED EMPLOYEE DIRECTORY

Please take the opportunity to look at the new Employee Directory. Clemente Leal has redesigned the directory into an employee profile format that Incorporates a new SEARCH feature.

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EXPLORER SPOTLIGHT

ATCEMS DMR TEAM

Joanna Sanders is our Explorer in the Spotlight this month. She has been Captain of Treasury since July 2018 and a Post member since October 2016.

DMR specialized team members will be wearing a new t-shirt during training and deployments. Gil Torres was motivated to design a shirt that properly recognizes the team as the professionals they are.

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Division News

COMMUNITY RELATIONS & THE AGE-FRIENDLY AUSTIN ACTION PLAN The ATCEMS Community Relations team part of the workgroup tasked with Domain 8 of the Age Friendly Austin Action Plan. In 2015 Austin’s Commission on Seniors formed a working group comprised of City department officials, members of the Commission, AARP, AustinUP and regional aging-related service organizations, to bring to fruition recommendations from the 2012-2013 Mayor’s Task Force on Aging, including the development of an Action Plan to trans- form Austin into an Age-friendly City. This working group meets monthly to outline a five-year plan, and identify goals and strategies.

In Every Issue

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EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

ATCEMS employees receive kudos, special thanks and congratulations for a job well done.

COMMUNICATIONS CALL OF THE QUARTER

Congratulations to Medic Virginia Rangel who received a phone call from a concerned citizen who reported that a woman in her apartment complex had just delivered a baby on the porch outside.

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In September 2015 , Austin’s Commission on Seniors formed a working group comprised of members of the Commission, AARP, AustinUP and regional aging-related service organizations, to bring to fruition recommendations from the 2012- 2013 Mayor’s Task Force on Aging, including the development of an Action Plan to transform Austin into an Age-friendly City. This working group meets monthly to outline a five-year plan, and identify goals and strategies. In developing the Age-friendly Austin Action Plan, the working group reviewed existing systems to support Austin’s senior population and identi- fied where there are gaps, both in relation to the Task Force recommendations and the AARP/World Health Organization’s Eight Domains of Livability:

Sustain and enhance investment in affordable, accessible, and holistic care that will build a vibrant and productive senior community.

1. Outdoor spaces and buildings

2. Transportation

3. Housing

 Build awareness of public, private and nonprofit low- or no-cost senior health services availability in citywide promotional material

4. Social participation

5. Respect and social inclusion

 Create focus groups of city and community representatives with t charge of developing a strategic plan to integrate aging, mental health and wellness programs  Develop health outreach programs and community care clinics, including mobile clinics and mobile food vans, in neighborhoods with dense and growing populations of older adults

Civic participation and employment

Communication and information

Community support and health services

ATCEMS Community Relations is part of the workgroup for Action Item—Domain #8 Community Support and Health Services :

 Expand opportunities for affordable and accessible health care services not covered by Medicare, e.g., dental, hearing and vision

Provide information, education and train- ing to ensure the safety, wellness and readiness of seniors in emergency situations.  Provide formalized emergency prepared- ness training that includes promotion of existing registries to seniors and caregivers at senior community centers, congregate sites, and any other venue deemed appro- priate

 Ensure emergency responders are trained in age-friendly best practices to be pre-

pared to respond to the needs of this population during emergency events

 Provide emergency response, prepared- ness strategies on the CoA website specific to the needs of the senior population

 Add emergency preparedness script with guidance for 311 operators

Prevent financial exploitation, neglect, and the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of seniors . Strengthen elder abuse detection by providing education to law enforcement and other first responders  Provide detection, prevention and reporting strategies on the COA website specific to the needs of the senior population  Create partnerships to provide educational materials related to identifying and report- ing senior financial exploitation targeting banking and financial institutions 

5  Expand culturally responsive family caregiving programs and resources including dementia care, community respite care and home-based supportive services Ensure access to proper support services, community resources and information for successful aging environment.  Expand community outreach and public awareness around caregiver support and in-home support programs, including respite care, palliative care and other home-based support- ive services  Support a robust awareness and education campaign fo- cused on SNAP outreach and the benefit of investing in bet- ter food choices for better health outcomes  Provide broad access to healthy culturally appropriate foods, local farmers markets, co-ops, grocery stores, com- munity gardens, and corner stores in neighborhoods

 Add elder abuse, neglect, and fraud script with guidance for 311 operators

What do you think? We want to hear from you so click here and Feel free to share your comments and suggestions.

New Beginnings & New Life CONGRATULATIONS

What an honor to be present during the birth of a child! Three EMS crews recently took part in bringing new life into the world made even more special by the gratitude of the new mothers and their families .

Dec 18th Medic-3 Clinical Specialists H. Moore & J. Kalinowski

Dec 29th Medic-18 Clinical Specialist Chris Marks & Medic Cole Turner

Jan 9th Medic-1

Clinical Specialist A. Pickhardt & Medic A. Reed

It’s a boy! Medic-3 December 18, 2018

On the morning of December 18th Medic 3 had a field delivery of a baby boy by Clinical Specialists H. Moore & J. Kalinowski. We are happy to now be able to share this picture from that morning as mom and baby arrive at the hospital. It was a great morning for all those involved.

It’s a girl! Medic-18 December 29, 2018

C linical Specialist Chris Marks & Medic Cole Turner assisted with delivery of healthy baby girl on the Hwy 183 service road at around 3:15 on the morning of December 29th.

Mom and baby girl are doing great!

Another baby girl! Medic-1 Jan 9, 2019

This baby girl makes three field deliveries for our medics in recent months.

Our latest was delivered by Medic-1 Clinical Specialist A. Pickhardt & Medic A. Reed on Wednesday morning January 9th. Our partners at West Lake FD were on scene first and helped mom through the contractions until the arrival of the crew from Medic-1.

Community Relations ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| WHATS NEW? Employee Directory Please take the opportunity to look at the new Employee Directory . Clemente Leal has redesigned the directory into an employee profile, format. At just a glance you can quickly find information about an EMS employee. The new “ SEARCH” feature allows you to navigate the directory through by name, EM number or specialty. All employees are listed in alphabetical order and no longer broken down by sections. The former Directory provided only the employee’s picture and rank. Great suggestion by the Wellness Center to add the EM numbers to each picture for easier identification of employee’s. As the directory was being rebuilt, the format evolved into a new style and we discovered the need for additional information. Chief Rodriguez requested the Date of Hire, which would be helpful for his daily use. Milissa Warren and some Division Chiefs played an instrumental role in the development of this new Employee Directory. Their feedback helped it take on these new dynamic features to become an Employee Profile! To view the new Employee Directory click on the tab in www.atcemsinside.org (login required). You will notice, as the employee becomes more tenured, more information will be included on his/her profile, (Special Operations, Motor Medic etc.). Right now, there are discussions about possibly adding additional employee information that may be pertinent or useful. Clemente says “I took pleasure in creating the new profiles. As an employee and former field medic, I try to take the time to make every one of you proud of your employment with the best EMS service in the nation, and I hope this adds pride to your career.” Clemente Leal, EMT-P

A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P Editor-in-Chief @JEMS

Austin-Travis County EMS Ambulances Offer Eye- catching, Effective Locations & Intersection Clearance JEMS.com

When leaving the National Association of EMS Physicians annual conference this weekend, I got a chance to scout out one of the Austin-Travis County EMS ambulances on a call at Austin's airport. (I tried to take home some souvenir EMS equipment but their alert crew—and vehicle design—locked up all doors and compartments!)

Although you may not be a fan of their color scheme, it is effective, and particularly eye-catching from a distance.

I especially like their use of all-exterior storage space and side-door step extrusion.

One of the most impressive design features of these Wheeled Coach vehicles is the location and flash pattern of their warning lights and sirens/airhorns. They utilize dual electron- ic sirens and air horns that are integrated into the far end of their front bumper. The heavy-duty front bumper, which offers great front impact protection for their crews, has small vertical/angled LED warning lights that are extremely effective for intersec- tion clearance. These lights aren’t expensive and are worth their weight in gold. The ATCEMS ambulance’s patient compartments feature high and mid-level (over the wheel well and at rear window level) dual flash pattern/color flashers that also offer great

Ambulances for Austin-Travis County EMS are designed for functionality, efficiency, high visibility and crew safety.

intersection and on-scene warning patterns.

The angled protrusion at the front of the patient compartment (over the cab) also offers great intersection clearance.

ATCEMS, well known for their exceptional patient care and integrated EMS system, gets two thumbs up from me for their ambulance design.

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By Gil Torres

ATCEMS DMR TEAM DMR specialized team members will be wearing a new t-shirt during training and deployments. Gil Torres was motivated to design a shirt that properly recognizes the team as the professionals they are.

How did the idea originate?

FRONT

“My wife and I were out to dinner and I mentioned it would be nice if the DMR team had a unique shirt to wear during training exercises and deployments. We started jotting ideas down on a napkin then after sketches, team input, and final approvals the idea became a reality.”

What was your thought process in making the design?

“Emergency Medical Task Force was developed as a state network of regional based rapid response medical teams. ATCEMS DMR is part of Region 7 in the network repre- senting Central Texas. Since other specialty teams have their own design I wanted something to capture the identity of our team.”

What does the design mean to you?

“To me the design means that while on deployments we can be identified as a specialized team.”

BACK

What is the design and what were you attempting to capture with it?

“I think the design captures missions the team has been deployed to around the state which have been flooding, hurricanes and tornados. EMFT-7 and ATCEMS emblem identifies us as both a local and statewide resource.”

When can the DMR team expect to obtain the shirts?

“The shirts are printed and will be ready for distribution very soon.”

Gil Torres, ATCEMS Clinical Specialist

K. Bradshaw, Tribune News Service

Austin-American Statesman / EMS World

As they tried to revive Ridge, medics broke several of his ribs and cracked his sternum, he told the Washington Post weeks after the event. Medics recalled Ridge being in good spirits each time he was brought back. Austin-Travis County paramedic Brendan Cluskey said that after one of the revivals, they asked Ridge if he was OK.

"It's good to see everybody!" he said.

Ridge replied with a resounding, "Yeah!" and two thumbs up, Cluskey said.

The last time they met, things were not so good.

Ridge woke up the morning of Nov. 16, 2017, not feeling well. The former Pennsylvania governor was in town then for the annual Republican Governors Association meeting but soon found himself thinking he might be having a heart attack. Ridge thought maybe his symptoms were not serious, but they persisted. He searched the internet and found a checklist of heart attack symptoms. From his room on the 22nd floor of the JW Marriott in downtown Austin, he called the hotel operator to say he was in trouble. He doesn't remember much else, he told the National Associ- ation of EMS Physicians at their annual meeting, which was being held at the same hotel. Ridge suffered a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest three times, medics said. While Ridge was a history-making figure as the nation's first Homeland Security secretary after the Sept. 11 attacks, the first responders treated him like any other patient, they said. They worked on him for more than an hour, during which he flatlined three times: once in his room, then in an elevator and in an ambulance. "I said, 'You know, Ridge, you might be having a heart attack,' " Ridge said.

"I don't remember a moment," Ridge said.

He said he remembers waking up days later in Dell Seton Medical Center, where he recovered for several weeks. On Thursday, he said he was grateful to be back in the center of what he called "the Austin incident." "I'm exhibit A for what you do. I'm exhibit A for your training; I'm exhibit A for your protocol; I'm exhibit A for your professionalism," Ridge told the crowd of nearly 1,000 EMS professionals gathered in a ballroom at the JW Marriott. The now 73-year-old said he was thankful for EMS personnel, especially because they are often the first ones who arrive during a dangerous event, such as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Virginia Tech shooting or a natural disaster. Medics are "rushing to fire, rushing to danger," he said. He marveled at the medics who treat their patients, often complete strangers, like loved ones.

"My crew never gave up on me, never gave up on me," he said.

On the night of Dec 27th while a violent storm was rolling through Austin, Clinical Specialist Tyler Smith & Medic Chris Hunter were driving Demand 2 back to the station when they noticed multiple cars pulled over with their hazards on in an area with no street lights. Demand- 2 turned on their emergency lights, turned around, and pulled over to see what was going on. Two people were out with an elderly limping dog on the side of the road. The dog had been wandering around in the dark and pouring rain with a limp to it's back left leg; the dog also had cataracts. A Travis County Sheriff's Office deputy also stopped and assisted by slowing traffic. When the rain pours, the wind howls and lighting strikes animals can and frequently do become frightened. This story has a happy ending thanks to our animal loving crew who took the time to rescue a dog in need. FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS

Medic Hunter carried the dog back to the station where he was dried off, kept warm, fed, and given water. The medics called and requested Animal Control to respond to their location. Austin Police Department officers also showed up and kept the dog company while everyone was waiting on Animal Control to arrive. Animal Control arrived after about an hour and were about to take the dog to an emergency animal clinic when the dog's owner happened to pull into the driveway. Turns out the heavy winds from the storm had blown open the gate and “Scout” the elderly dog had gotten out. The crew found out that Scout was micro-chipped and that his limp was from a chronic condition and not from any trauma that evening. Scout was reunited with his owner and is happily at home once again. Chris

COMMUNICATIONS 4th Quarter Call of the Quarter

Winner Medic Virginia Rangel

On October 29 th , 2018 Medic Virginia Rangel received a phone call from a concerned citizen who reported that a woman in her apartment complex had just delivered a baby on the porch outside. During the course of the call, Virginia discovered that the mother was altered and was attempting to leave the scene before the afterbirth was delivered or the cord had been cut. Virginia managed two patients, provided pre-arrival instructions for the baby and the mother, and reassured the caller that help was coming. This was one of those calls that isn’t the normal, run of the mill pregnancy/baby delivery call. Virginia did an amazing job handling the situation in the most appropriate way possible. Congratulations Virginia!

SURVIVOR REUNION WITH ALEX SMITH

On January 7, 2019 Captain Brian Hadas, Clinical Specialist Rick Smith, & Communications Captain Amy Fairbrother had a chance to meet Alex Smith, a patient from a call 15 years ago. Alex and his family were enjoying an evening on Lake Austin when their boat was struck head on by a passing boater. Alex was thrown from the boat and lost part of his right arm and hand and sustained multiple serious injuries as a result of that collision. He was only 11 years old. Alex was an avid tennis player at the time and although he was expected to recover, no one was sure if he would ever be able to play tennis again. But his determination never faltered and today Alex is a A special thank you to Medic Kristy Rosenacker for getting the ball rolling for this reunion! Kristy met Alex at a social event and learned of his accident while they were in conversation. Kristy reached out to EMS Community Relations Manager Lisa Sepulveda who brought everyone together for the reunion. Additional members of the response team included STARFlight crew members Mike Gregerson, Casey Ping and Brian Johnson and EMS medics Mike Fontana and Gerry Moreau who were unable to attend. Watch the video to see their reunion and learn more about his story. grateful survivor, successful businessman and entrepreneur and yes—he still plays tennis!

Surv Reun

NEXT TO C A LI THE FINEST MAN CA SAVE

Abraham L

SURVIVOR REUNION WITH YAZMEEN TUSKAN

On December 4, 2018 Communication Medic Ken Bostick and ATCEMS crews from Medic 6 Anthony Ferrando and Matthew Pearson and Medic 2 Heather Coy and Ryan James along with AFDs Engine 22/A shift crew Tyler Naylor, Joshua Lewis, Alex Newman and Issac Saldivar were part of a great survivor reunion. On May 15, 2018 Yazmeen Tuskan was home alone when she went into premature labor. She called 9-1-1 and delivered little baby Leo with the help of EMS Communication Medic Ken Bostick on the phone. Baby Leo was born prematurely at 26 weeks and was in cardiac arrest. When the Medic 6 crew arrived a few minutes later they immediately clamped and cut the umbilical cord and performed their initial patient assessment. The severity of baby Leo’s condition prompted them to call for Medic 2 to care for Yazmeen as Medic 6 initiated CPR and immediate transport of baby Leo to Dell Children’s Hospital. While in route to Dell Children’s Firefighters Lewis and Newman performed chest compressions on baby Leo and assisted with ventilation support, as Captain Pearson provided advanced life support treatment. ATCEMS medics Heather Coy and Ryan James provided Yazmeen with continuous updates on baby Leo’s condi- tion while she was in their care.

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EATING E

HING A DO IS NE

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Watch the video to see their reunion story.

by Allyson Hall

Explorer Spotlight

Future career goal?

Joanna would like to go to Texas A&M to pursue medicine in some form with hopes of becoming either a nurse or doctor.

Interests?

She enjoys playing volleyball, reading, listening to music, and being with friends.

Favorite Aspect of Exploring

Her most memorable experience was Winter Camp 2016 because it was the first event that she got to bond with her fellow Explorers and where she fell in love with the post as a whole.

Accomplishments

Community Service Award - given to recognize 100 hours of community service associated with Explorer Post 247.

Joanna Sanders Captain of Treasury since July 2018 Member since October 2016

Interested in getting to know more about Joanna and the other members of Explorer Post 247?

Visit emspost247.org to learn more and register to join .

“Shoulder to Shoulder we will NEVER walk alone”

Anyone can be affected by the traumatic events that first responders encounter on a daily basis. The Peer Support Team provides vital support with compassion and confidentiality, embracing your needs professionally anytime, anywhere.

Employee Recognition

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KUDOS

CONGRATULATIONS

Meet our NEWEST Communication Medics!

Coty Baker Kenneth McGarry

Graduating Class of 1018

Congratulations to the Communication Cadets who graduated this past December. When you have the opportunity please welcome them to the EMS family.

The caller, Maggie, from call #360 that you ran on Dec. 31st called back to 911 because she wanted to thank you for the professional and kind way that you treated her loved one today. She wanted me to pass on her thanks and to tell you both Happy New Year. Nicely done. Jaelithe Barr , Communications Captain

Booth, Bridgett

Poole, Perry

Peters, Shelby

Ruiz, Steven

Thank you for helping coordinate the EMS visit to the Magellan Brownie troop today. The girls enjoyed learning how to get help from 911, how to treat minor injuries with first aid, and touring the emergency vehicle.

Many thanks to you and the Medics.

Best regards, Emily

WELL DONE Hey who is responsible [Clemente Leal] for creating the new employee profiles versus the old Employee Directory? My hat is off to them whoever they may be it is so much better organized and has really good information in there. I love it!

Congratulations Maria Valenzuela

On January 20th Maria was promoted as our new Ambulance Billing and Cod- ing Supervisor. If you happen to see her please congratulate here on her new promotion.

Temple N. Thomas - LP

District Commander

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Our values and principles are Excellence in Service, by People Who Care. Your dedication and commitment serve as a vital link in the chain which drives our department. The Years of Service Award symbolizes the time you’ve given to help us as we pursue those values and principles. It is also a token of appreciation for the part you’ve played in making ATCEMS what it is today. Your talents and efforts already have helped us achieve excellence in many areas.

J. Angelovich 5 years

C. Smith & E. Johns

20 years

B. Fitzpatrick 25 years

B. Stutzman 5 years

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ATCEMS Explorer Post 247 Awards & Recognition 2018

He is present at almost every meeting and event held by Post 247 and is always very involved with whatever the Explorers are doing. Obie is well respected by the Explorers and as a former Explorer himself, sets an example for the Explorers as to what they can achieve.

EXPLORER OF THE YEAR

Allyson Hall was chosen as our Explorer of the Year for her continued dedication to the growth of Post 247. Ally has been serving in the role of Lt. Commander over the program and has implemented a Google classroom to ensure that all explorers have access to all educational materials needed. She is always quick to accomplish assigned tasks and does so very well with minimum guidance. She makes herself available to help her fellow Explorers when needed. She also serves as the Commander of the Post 247 Honor Guard and develops and leads trainings for her team. Some additional tasks include: quarterly educa- tional planning, scenario development, writing the Explorer Spotlight, working to achieve individual Explorer recognition, community service, management of the educational calendar, development of retention quizzes, tracking attendance and ensuring meeting compliance. Ally has dedicated herself to the educational needs of all Explorers and has been pivotal in developing not only her fellow Explorers, but the Post as a whole. Ally demonstrates a strong “lead from the front” attitude and always sets an excellent example for her peers.

CONGRATULATIONS ALLY & OBIE!

ADVISOR OF THE YEAR

Obie Jones was chosen by the Explorers of Post 247 as the Advisor of the Year . Obie has dedicated many off duty hours to the Post and continues to do so to ensure the best learning environment for the Explorers. Obie facilitates arrangements with Boy Scouts of America frequently to access their resources for the explorers. His official role for Post 247 is Associate Advisor over Administration. He is responsible for managing all field ride-outs and documentation needs for the Explorers.

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2018 American Institute of Medical Science

WHAT IS...

The most common deadly disease?

The Top Three Deadliest Diseases Wreaking Havoc

1. Dengue Virus According to 2014 Tropical Medicine Reports, the Dengue virus (DENV) is one of the most common viral diseases of the past 30 years, with approximately 390 million people infected globally each year. It is a viral infection with flu-like symptoms usually appearing 4-6 days after the initial infection.

DENV Symptoms Include:  High fever  Nausea and vomiting  A rash appearing 2-5 days after the fever  Severe headaches  Pain behind the eyes  Joint and muscle pain  Bleeding, from the nose, gums, and easy bruising

How Does Dengue Spread? DENV is not a contagious illness and can’t spread directly from person to person. According to information from the World Health Organization, people contract dengue fever if they are bitten by an infected female mosquito. A healthy mosquito can also be infected by biting a person with the virus in their blood. The mosquito then transmits the disease to the next person it feeds on. Recent Outbreaks of Dengue in America DENV has a long history in America. While the latest DENV cases have been travel-related, the Texas-Mexico border has the most patients admitted to hospitals. There has been an increase in southern states, however. In 2009, there was an outbreak of dengue fever in Key West, Florida, the first (not along the Texas-Mexico border) in 60 years. In 2017, there were 80 reported cases of Dengue fever in the U.S. 43 of those were travel-related, and the 37 ‘local’ contractions were in the US territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. How Dangerous is Dengue Fever? If detected early, the fatality rate falls below 1%. The major problem is that symptoms can resemble the flu or other viruses. Out of the approximate 500,000 people admitted to hospital with severe dengue, 2.5% die. There are four strains of the dengue virus, and once infected and recovered from one, the patient will have lifelong immunity for that particular strain. However, later infections by one of the others can increase the risk of severe dengue. 2. Influenza A The flu may not sound like one of the deadliest diseases in the US, but this infectious disease is highly contagious, with hundreds of strains that mutate frequently. As if that isn’t troubling enough, it’s also incurable. Strains are classified into three main categories: A, B, and C. A and B are behind the winter flu season, with A being the most severe. C strains also cause illnesses, but the symptoms are much less severe. Influenza A viruses are further broken down into H and N subtypes (eg. H1N1, also known as Swine Flu).

Symptoms Flu symptoms can last anywhere from two to seven days, but four to five days is the usual time frame. Symptoms can include a combination of the following:

   

Fever

   

Cough

Body aches

Runny or stuffy nose Itchy/watery eyes

Extreme fatigue

Headache

Sore throat

How Does The Flu Spread? The flu is spread from person to person by droplets in the air, caused when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk. The flu can also be transmitted when a person touches an object infected with the influenza virus and then touches their mouth or nose. The flu is one of the most easily transmit- ted diseases with 5-20% of the US population contracting it each year. Recent Occurrences of the Influenza Virus The death toll of the 2017/18 flu season bypassed the 2009 swine flu epidemic, which infected 60.8 million Americans, hospitalized 274,304, and killed more than 12,000. According to the CDC, hospitalizations for the 2017/18 flu season exceeded the 710,000 of the 2014/15 season, which had the highest rates of hospitalizations for people aged 65 and older. How Deadly is The Influenza A Virus? Influenza is extremely complex and difficult to predict, which is why it remains one of the greatest challenges to international public health. While most people recover from the flu with no lasting effects, many have a higher risk of developing additional complications such as pneumonia, either due to a weakened immune system or underlying conditions. Young children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions (such as asthma or heart disease) are at higher risk for serious flu complications. 3. MRSA Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), is known as the ‘superbug’ as well as ‘flesh-eating disease’. Caused by a particular type of Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria, MRSA is resistant to many commonly-used antibiotics. MRSA can start as a simple skin infection, but if the infection is left untreat- ed (or forms deeper into the body) it can cause severe pain, infections in the organs, and even death. What Are the Symptoms of MRSA? At first, MRSA appears like any other skin infection, with small red bumps, pimples, or boils that may be swollen, tender, or warm to the touch. As the infection progresses, these can turn into painful, pus-filled abscesses. The skin infection may also be accompanied by fever. If the infection enters the body through broken skin or a cut, more serious conditions may develop such as:



Septicemia (blood poisoning)

 Urinary tract infection (bladder infection)



Pneumonia (lung infection)



Osteomyelitis (bone infection)

 Septic bursitis (small fluid-filled sacs under the skin)

 Endocarditis (heart valve infection)

How is MRSA Spread? MRSA is a highly-contagious bacteria spread by either touching a person who has it on their skin, or by touching objects that have the bacteria on them. MRSA not only spreads from person to person, but the bacteria can live up to 6 months on some surfaces. Although the bacteria can be found anywhere, it is most commonly found in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Approximately one in three (33%) people carry the staph bacteria usually without any major infection. Only 2% of the population carry the MRSA version of staph bacteria. However, even with the ‘safe’ staph, the bacteria multiplies at an alarming rate, and it takes only one mutated cell to allow the infection the ability to withstand antibiotics. How Deadly is MRSA? The CDC estimates that in the US there are at least two million illnesses and 23,000 deaths caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year. Their study examined 699 patients with MRSA. Out of the 699, 31.5% died, with the elderly most at-risk.

Like influenza A, MRSA is constantly evolving and becoming resistant to more antibiotics.

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