The CDC has been collaborating with global public health and industry partners to learn about Omicron. They have stated, “as we continue to monitor its course. We are still learning about how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and how well available vaccines and medications work against it.”

Spread
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The Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Delta variant. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

Symptoms

Persons infected with the Omicron variant can present with symptoms similar to previous variants. The presence and severity of symptoms can be affected by COVID-19 vaccination status, the presence of other health conditions, age, and history of prior infection.

Severe Illness

Omicron infection generally causes less severe disease than infection with prior variants. Preliminary data suggest that Omicron may cause more mild disease, although some people may still have severe disease, need hospitalization, and could die from the infection with this variant. Even if only a small percentage of people with Omicron infection need hospitalization, the large volume of cases could overwhelm the healthcare system which is why it’s important to take steps to protect yourself.

Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19 and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. This includes primary series, booster shots and additional doses for those who need them.
Scientists are still learning how effective COVID-19 vaccines are at preventing infection from Omicron. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are vaccinated are likely to occur. People who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get COVID-19 are less likely to develop serious illness than those who are unvaccinated and get COVID-19.

Treatments
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Scientists are working to determine how well existing treatments for COVID-19 work. Some, but not all, monoclonal antibody treatments remain effective against Omicron. Public health agencies work with healthcare providers to ensure that effective treatments are used appropriately to treat patients.


FOR THIS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT CDC.GOV

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month? Did you also know that in 1993, President Bill Clinton proclaimed the third Friday in October each year to be National Mammography Day?  Throughout the month of October, women are encouraged to make appointments for their mammogram.  Knowing this, I would like to focus on the African American woman. You see, an article published in Breast Cancer Prevention Partners reported that African American women have the highest rate of mortality from breast cancer. Let us look at some pertinent facts: 

• US women as a whole, have a 1 in 8 risk for breast cancer.

 

• Breast cancer has the highest mortality rate of any cancer in women between the ages of 20 and 59.

 

• Breast cancer incidence among women younger than 45, is highest among American American women than the Caucasian women.

 

• Research shows that while Causation women are more likely to get breast cancer than any other race, the mortality rate for African American women is 30% to 40% higher.  African American women are also more likely to get cancer earlier in life and twice as likely to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

 
So what can you do as an African American woman to decrease your risks of serious complications and death from breast cancer?  I will review three areas for awareness. 
Signs of Breast Cancer
You really need to know your body, specifically your breasts.  These are some of the signs of breast cancer.

•  Swollen lymph nodes or bumps under your arm or around your collarbone
•  Abnormal swelling of any part of your breast
•  Dimpling of the skin of the breast where the skin appears to have an indentation appearance.
•  Breast nipple pain or retraction of the nipple.
•  Redness or scaliness of the nipple or skin of the breast.
•  Discharge from the nipple.

 
Now how would you find these abnormalities of the breast?  A regular breast exam is the way.  A breast exam routine should begin at your first PAP exam recommended at around age 20 to 21.  The person who does the PAP should be able to teach and instruct you on how to do a complete exam.
 
The Breast Exam
A good breast exam would have you lying down usually with the arm of the breast being examined comfortably over your head.  Using the pads of the three middle fingers of the opposite hand, (do not use your fingertips), firmly press on the breast feeling all the tissue from your collarbone to the bottom of your bra line and from the armpit to your breastbone.  Remember that a large portion of your breast is under your arm, so take a little extra time examining this area.  At the end of the exam squeezing the nipple is the final important act to see if any pain or discharge is noted.   If you are more comfortable doing this exam in your shower, you can follow the same technique, standing and lathered with soap.  
 
You should do this exam around the same time each month, approximately one week after your period.  You probably will not feel or find any lumps, bumps or indentations.  This is a normal exam.  You are becoming familiar with your body.  However one day you may just see or feel something there that was not there the month before.  This is the time you now need to follow up with your Primary Care Provider.
 
Mammogram Screening
Mammograms are the preferred method of finding breast cancer.  Your clinician may order an ultrasound to see if a breast mass is solid or a cyst.  Ultrasound of the breast is not usually done to screen for breast cancer because it may miss some early signs of a cancer.
 
For early detection of breast cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms.  If a patient in my practice has a family history of breast cancer, meaning her mother or grandmother had breast cancer, then I begin screening at age 35.  The ACS then recommends women 45 to 54 should get their mammograms every year.  Women 55 and older should get their mammograms every 2 years.  Finally, women with no history of breast cancer with negative mammograms can stop having these examinations at age 75.  
 
So there you have it.  It’s your body given by God to keep healthy. Take care of it and you will have a long life.
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Yale Medicine and the CDC reports:
For the first time in more than a year, we’re feeling some hope—or at least cautious optimism—that the pandemic could recede to the background. But experts want us to know that there is still a concern that new mutations of the virus could bring it back, and it might be even stronger. A major concern right now is Delta Variant, a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain. From what we know so far, people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus appear to have protection against Delta, but anyone who is unvaccinated and not practicing preventive strategies is at risk for infection by the new variant, the doctors say.

Here are five things you need to know about the Delta variant.
1. Delta is more contagious than the other virus strains.
2. Unvaccinated people are at risk.
3. Delta could lead to 'hyperlocal outbreaks.'
4. There is still more to learn about Delta.
5. Vaccination is the best protection against Delta.


Protect yourself from COVID-19
COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States and variants are circulating. Take steps to protect yourself from the virus.

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
• Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

For this and more information please visit yalemedicine.org and cdc.gov

By Dr. Richard G. Berry MD, FACP

A healthy immune system is one of the ways we can protect ourselves against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Now It cannot prevent you from getting infected, but a strengthened immune system, especially in an individual that has not as yet been immunized, helps defend yourself from disease causing invaders.
A Harvard study recently showed that apart from not smoking or drinking alcohol, these three habits will increase your immune response to invaders. They are;
1. A Vegetarian diet
2. Exercise
3. Decreasing stress.

A strong immune system will not only help to protect us from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it will also help us live a more balanced life.

Dr. Richard Berry will be lecturing on “How to Approach Covid-19”
Saturday, March 13 at 4:00pm
Hosted by the health department of the South Atlantic Conference.


This event is for all Hispanics in Georgia and the Carolinas.
​For more information please follow the link (in red) to the website.