Health
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WILLITS – There has been one laboratory confirmed case and several clinically diagnosed cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, reported in the Willits area.
Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory tract infection. Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, it may eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants.
Whooping cough is characterized by severe spasms of coughing that can last for several weeks to months. It is most contagious before the coughing starts in the cold-like stage. It is contagious from person to person when coughing or sneezing.
The symptoms of Whooping cough begin like the common cold; with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe mild cough or fever, but quickly progress to severe coughing.
Among vaccine-preventable diseases, pertussis is one of the most commonly occurring in the United States.
The childhood vaccine for pertussis is called DTaP. Children are immunized with four doses of DTaP by 15 months. A Tdap booster is recommended for all ages 11 and older. Protection from pertussis from the vaccine fades over time. It is recommended that adolescents and adults be revaccinated every 7 to 10 years.
The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated, adults and children. To prevent the spread, cover your mouth when you cough.
DTaP and Tdap vaccinations are readily available by your family’s physician or pediatrician, and the county Community Health Center’s Immunization Clinic. Call your local health care provider to find out if anyone in your family needs their vaccinations.
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The food for life nutrition and cooking class series is designed to help cancer survivors take advantage of the healing power of foods.
Created by Dr. Neal Barnard and many other health and nutrition professionals, each class will include information on how certain foods and nutrients work to promote or discourage cancer growth, along with cooking demonstrations of simple and healthy recipes that can easily done at home.
It is an eight week course starting Monday, Sept. 14, through Nov. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m at the Lakeport Community Church, off Highway 29 at the corner of Park Way and Hill Road, across from the fire department.
The class will be taught by professional chef, Kevin Breitbart, a certified cancer project instructor, and Isis Israel, a cancer survivor, cookbook author and teacher of healthy cooking for Saladmaster.
There is a fee of $200 for the eight class series – that's only $25 per class.
The Cancer Project is a nonprofit organization. The cost of the class is to cover the food and materials. Due to limited seating please RSVP soon.
For further information contact Isis Israel at 707-972-2257,
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LOS ANGELES – Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced Thursday that deputies in his office are launching an independent inquiry into how health management organizations (HMOs) review and pay insurance claims submitted by doctors, hospitals and other medical providers.
This investigation is prompted by reports that California's five largest health-insurance providers are denying insurance claims at rates of up to 39.6 percent.
"These high denial rates suggest a system that is dysfunctional, and the public is entitled to know whether wrongful business practices are involved," Brown said.
In the coming days and weeks, deputies will review records and will speak with individuals who have relevant knowledge of the issues raised.
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