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    About the recent Mpox outbreak

    What is Mpox?
    Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and mpox is rarely fatal. Mpox is not related to chickenpox (CDC, 2022). Mpox has also been known as Monkeypox in the past.

    Who is at risk? Anyone can get Mpox.
    Those more likely to get monkeypox include:

    People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with mpox
    People who are aware that one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with mpox
    People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known mpox
    People whose jobs may expose them to the virus.

    How is Mpox spread from person to person?

    Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

    Direct contact with mpox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with mpox.
    Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox.
    Contact with respiratory secretions.

    What are the symptoms?

    People with mpox get a rash that may be located on the genital areas, hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
    The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
    The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

    Other symptoms of mpox can include:

    Fever
    Chills
    Swollen lymph nodes
    Exhaustion
    Muscle aches and backache
    Headache
    Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

    You may experience all or only a few symptoms

    What can I do to stay well?

    Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a new or unusual rash that looks like mpox.
    - Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
    - Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with mpox.
    Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with mpox has used.
    - Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox.
    - Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.
    Wash your hands often.
    - Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.
    Get Vaccinated.
    - CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to mpox and people who may be more likely to get mpox.
    - Vaccines are being distributed to the community through local Health Departments.

    All information provided is referenced through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please use the following links for additional information.

    About Mpox | Mpox | Poxvirus | CDC
    If You Are Sick | Mpox | Poxvirus | CDC
    Prevention | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC
    Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Mpox | Mpox | Poxvirus | CDC
    Signs and Symptoms | Mpox | Poxvirus | CDC

    Resources for home kits are greatly expanded


    Resources for home kits for rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 are greatly expanding and we would like to share some recent updates.

    Effective Saturday 1/15/2022, President Biden released an executive order which mandates that all insurances pay for the cost of 8 at-home rapid tests per each covered individual per month. Check with your insurance carrier for any preferred pharmacies and method of reimbursement. For employees with FL Blue coverage, you will need to purchase test kits out of pocket and submit UPC code and receipt for reimbursement with a paper claim. Additional details for FL Blue, including a link to the form for a paper claim, is available at the following website: https://www.floridablue.com/covid19/health-information under section labeled “Where to Get a COVID-19 Test.”
    Effective 1/19/2022, every individual can request up to 4 free tests subsidized by the federal government at www.COVIDTests.gov.

    The federal government has also announced an expansion of federally-funded testing sites for rapid antigen and PCR tests. Each state with CAN clinics has an online testing site locator:
    Florida: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/
    New Jersey: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing
    Texas: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/testing.aspx
    South Carolina: https://scdhec.gov/covid19/find-covid-19-testing-location
    Arizona: https://www.azdhs.gov/covid19/index.php#everyone-get-tested
    Virginia: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/protect-yourself/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/

    The White House released a statement regarding the expansion of testing services:
    https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/14/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-to-begin-distributing-at-home-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-americans-for-free/

    COVID-19 AND THE FLU SEASON


    As the number of Covid 19 cases continue to increase, CAN Community Health would like to remind our patients that we are still in the middle of the Flu season until February, so it is important not to let your guard down.

    The signs and symptoms of Covid 19 and the Flu are very similar, and both diseases can result in severe illness and complications, which can be minimized by simple measures such as hand washing, social distancing, mask wearing, and getting vaccinated.

    Some of the most common signs and symptoms for both diseases may include: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, tiredness, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headaches, and nausea and vomiting. These can range from no symptoms to mild or severe symptoms.

    Per CDC recommendations, and due to the increase in the Covid 19 variants, and most recently the Delta and Omicron variants in the U.S., we are strongly encouraging our patients to get vaccinated for Covid 19 and for the Flu, as both viruses will likely be circulating at the same time and cause similar symptoms. People can be infected with both viruses (Flu and COVID-19) at the same time and have symptoms of both.

    If you are interested in finding a COVID-19 vaccine location near you, click here, or contact any local pharmacy near you or the Department of Health for your county.
    Please contact your local CAN Community Health location to make an appointment for a flu vaccine or with help finding resources.

    If you are currently experiencing any respiratory, flu or cold-like symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, fever) and need to be evaluated by your provider, do not come to the clinic and call (844) 922-2777 to speak with a medical professional. For any urgent symptoms, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

    You may also Click here to see the latest CDC Coronavirus Information.

    What is a COVID-19 vaccine booster?


    For persons who received a Pfizer or Moderna 2-dose vaccine series, a booster dose is a 3rd dose given at least 6 months after the 2nd dose. For persons who received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, a booster dose is given at least 2 months after the initial dose.

    Any of the three vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J) can be used as a booster dose, regardless of which vaccine was first received.

    Why should you get a booster?


    Immunity from original courses of vaccines against COVID-19 decreases over time. Studies show booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines help improve that immunity. By getting a booster, you help to reduce your chances of becoming ill with COVID-19, even in the case of breakthrough infection. Persons who are boosted and do get COVID-19 are much less likely to become seriously ill or die from the disease than persons who did not get boosted.

    COVID-19 Self-Checker


    The purpose of the COVID-19 Self-Checker is to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care. This system is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of disease.

    Click here to start the self-check process.

    Please call your local clinic if you have any questions.


    Please click here if you need Telehealth visit instructions.

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    Columbia, SC
    (803) 849-8430

    Daytona, FL
    (386) 274-7651

    Denville, NJ
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    (727) 312-2040

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    (305) 514-0813

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    (727) 498-4969

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    (813) 769-7207

     


    If you are currently experiencing any respiratory, flu or cold symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, fever) and need to be evaluated by your provider, please call (844) 922-2777 to speak with a medical professional. For any urgent symptoms, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

    You may also Click here to see the latest CDC Coronavirus Information.

     

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