Kenna Reeve

Public Health 100

Information from:

Carol Morrell

RN – Logan, UT

Infectious Disease

WHOOPING COUGH

They have been seeing a lot more cases of whooping cough over the last two years. They thought it had gone away for the most part but they have been seeing it more and more. Preventative measures are being taken in order to prevent infants from getting the disease. It is called the Cocoon Program where before babies are born, parents, grandparents, and other people who will be associating with the baby often, get vaccinated. Health professionals are hoping that this will protect the young babies from getting this disease.

OPTING OUT OF IMMUNIZATIONS

Another trend that Carol has observed is seeing parents opting out of immunizing their newborns. Many parents are seeing that many illnesses are not showing up in populations anymore. Many are more afraid than the immunizations than the supposedly dead diseases. The diseases have not been eradicated though and this practice is harming the babies down the line. This is a new “natural” trend that could have terrible effects if continued.

GONORRHEA

Very few cases of gonorrhea used to come up but like some of these other diseases, it has been showing up more frequently. Carol wasn’t sure exactly why they have been seeing more cases.  People can get in from the backyard hose if the water is from a contaminated source. People with previously weakened immune systems have been known to get this disease. They are hoping to see the numbers for this disease decrease with public awareness.

TUBERCULOSIS

Carol said that this has been one of the most shocking things that she has seen. They used to see one case every couple years. They are now seeing three to four cases every year just in their clinic in Logan. Why the rise in cases? Carol said it was too soon to tell. Getting the test every year can help to catch the disease better if infected.

FLU SHOTS

Carol said that when she first started nursing, they would only immunize the elderly with the flu vaccination. Over time, they started immunizing infants as well. Now everyone is encouraged to do so. She said that since the H1N1 Swine Flu in 2009, they have seen lots more people getting vaccinated every year. Carol said that it was because people are less afraid of the shot or puff than the actual flu.