Category Archives: Preventative Care
Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness
March is Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness Month
The American Cancer Society recommends regular screening starting at age 45. Even if you have been screened before, you will need to screen again when your healthcare provider recommends. Click here for more information about colorectal cancer screening.
COVID-19 Vaccines: To Get or Not to Get, That Is the Question
By: RAFEENA BACCHUS, M.D., MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Vaccine hesitancy, whether due to vaccine fatigue, misinformation or genuine concern for side effects, is very common these days. Headlines from trusted news sources and even not-so-trusted sources come at us fast and can be misleading. So how do you know if the vaccine is right for you?
First and foremost, know that your concerns are valid and that these concerns should be discussed with your trusted physician. There are many reasons why the vaccine is important for some to receive and other times when the benefits may not outweigh the risks and therefore should be avoided.
So, let’s address some of the common concerns providers have heard.
- Blood Clots
The largest global study recently published by the Global Vaccine Data Network, after just shy of 1 million doses of vaccines given, showed a statistically significant increased risk of a type of blood clot in the brain after immunization with viral-vector vaccines such as the one developed by the University of Oxford and made by AstraZeneca. It showed that these vaccines were linked to a threefold increase in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a type of blood clot in the brain; identified in 69 events, compared with an expected 21. This vaccine was never given the U.S. In the same study, mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) showed as small increase in observed ration of blood clots related to low platelet counts but not to statistically significant levels.Several smaller studies have investigated the potential link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and have also not found any clear associations.
- Heart Conditions
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle and has been seen with both mRNA and viral-vector vaccines in several studies. Though cases are rare, they are mostly seen in adolescent and young males. The severity of myocarditis can vary; however, most will have resolution of symptoms. The risk of myocarditis is 5-10 per million vaccine doses. The rate of myocarditis with COVID-19 infection is 40-80 cases per million people infected with COVID. - Neurological Disorders
In the same study done by the Global Vaccine Data Network referenced above, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a syndrome that affects the nerves, was observed to occur at a statistically significant increase in cases with viral vector vaccines. This was NOT observed with mRNA vaccines. However, inflammation and swelling in the brain and spinal cord was observed after both viral-vector and mRNA vaccines. Seven cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after vaccination with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine were observed, versus an expectation of two.
As with any vaccination, there are many potential side effects. However, it is important to note that severe side effects are very rare. In some cases, your provider may recommend against vaccination due to an underlying medical condition. On the other hand, for those in the majority, these vaccines are safe, effective, and lifesaving. Be sure to discuss with your MPCP provider when making these important health care decisions. We are here to support you any way we can.
Article Sources
K. Faksova et al., Vaccine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.100
CDC. Clinical Considerations: Myocarditis after COVID 19 Vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/myocarditis.html. February 24, 2024
Dr. Bacchus is a MPCP partner and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She sees patients in the Columbia office and serves as MPCP’s Medical Director.
Flu, Covid-19, RSV: Which vaccines do you need?
By: RAFEENA BACCHUS, M.D.
Each year, the influenza (flu) virus sickens millions of Americans. This fall we expect two other respiratory illnesses — Covid-19 and RSV — to surge around the same time.
Fortunately, safe and effective vaccines are available for the three viruses, and your doctor may recommend you get vaccinated against all three. Here’s what you need to know.
Flu
With symptoms like fever, chills, body aches and fatigue, the flu makes us feel lousy. It can be very serious for older adults, young children and people with chronic illnesses. The flu virus continues to mutate new strains, so the vaccine typically protects against several types at once. The CDC recommends the vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, but it is especially important for adults 65+, children under 5, and those with weak immune systems.
Coronavirus
As we know, the coronavirus can mutate quickly, introducing new and risky variants. The dominant strain in the U.S. is currently EG.5, which spreads easily and causes symptoms similar to earlier versions, such as runny nose, fever, cough, headache, fatigue and sore throat. A new vaccine scheduled for release this fall will likely protect against EG.5 and other strains of the virus. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the Covid-19 vaccine.
RSV
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) usually produces mild cold-like symptoms, but it is increasingly recognized as a threat for young children and seniors with certain chronic health conditions. The FDA recently approved the first RSV vaccines for adults 60+ and pregnant women 32-36 weeks pregnant (to give their unborn children immunity). There is also a long-acting antibody treatment for infants up to 8 months of age and up to 19 months of age that are at high risk for severe infection.
Can you test positive for 3 viruses at once?
Flu, coronavirus and RSV are all highly infectious viruses, and in past years we’ve seen cases of people infected by two of them at once. It is even possible to catch all three at the same time. Hospitalization is often required for those suffering from these co-infections due to their more serious cases of illness. As you would expect, this is especially risky for young children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions.
Which vaccines should you get?
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older to get the flu and Covid-19 shots as soon as possible this fall. The RSV vaccines are approved for people 60 years and older and the CDC suggests people 60+ with conditions such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, COPD, asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, immunocompromised conditions, and those that are long-term care residents, consult with their doctors.
Most of us can safely get the flu and Covid-19 shots at the same time. Since the RSV vaccine is new, health experts recommend getting it separately, but older adults in poor health may be able to get all three shots at once.
To schedule vaccinations, or if you have questions about them, contact your MPCP healthcare provider.
Dr. Rafeena Bacchus sees patients at MPCP’s Columbia office. She received her medical degree from SUNY at the Buffalo School of Medicine and completed her residency program in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Should I Be Worried About Heart Disease?
By: SERINA J. LEWIS, M.D.
Do you know if you’re at risk for heart disease? It’s the #1 cause of death, but many people have no clue if they’re at risk for it. In this case, ignorance isn’t bliss, it could be deadly.
When it comes to your risk for heart disease, there are things you can’t control and things you can.
What you can’t control
- Being male: Sorry, guys. While both men and women suffer from heart disease, men tend to be at higher risk and get it at a younger age. That doesn’t let women off the hook, though; men and women tend to develop heart disease at nearly the same rates.
- Older age: No surprise here. Adults 65 and older are more likely than younger people to suffer from cardiovascular disease.
- Family history of heart disease: While you get your good looks from your parents, you can also inherit genes that put you at greater risk for heart disease. In fact, the condition tends to run in families.
- Being postmenopausal: Menopause doesn’t cause cardiovascular disease, but certain risk factors begin to increase around the time of menopause.
- Race: African American, Native American, and Mexican American people are more likely to have heart disease.
What you can control
Some things you can’t change, but many things you can. Heart disease is greatly influenced by lifestyle factors, such as:
- Smoking
- Unhealthy cholesterol numbers (see video below)
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity (having a BMI greater than 25)
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Stress, including depression and anger
- Poor diet
- Alcohol use
Any of these factors, or a combination of them, greatly increases the chances you will get heart disease.
Bottom line: Control what you can
Research shows your risk for heart disease can be significantly lowered by making lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, improving your diet, and losing weight. Your MPCP healthcare provider can assess your blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol levels, and help you create a plan for managing them. Making these changes will not only reduce your heart disease risk, but you’ll generally be healthier and feel better.
Watch this video to learn how “knowing your numbers” can help lower your risk for heart disease.
Dr. Lewis earned her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and is certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians. She sees patients in MPCP’s Bowie office.
