CDC

New Safety Warnings Regarding Vaping

HealthyHeelsLeave a comment

VapeAs of October 8, 2019, there have been 1299 confirmed cases of vaping-related pulmonary impairment and 26 reported deaths in the United States. Two-thirds of cases are between the ages of 18-34 years old. The exact cause of these illnesses is unknown and still under investigation.

The CDC currently recommends to avoid vaping any substances. Additionally, do NOT purchase vaping products off the streets as formulations may have been altered.

Interested in quitting? Follow these steps:

Set A Quit Date

✅  Make sure it’s realistic. Give yourself time to prepare. You must be physically and mentally ready. Set yourself up for success by establishing a goal and determining WHY quitting is important to you.

Learn Your Triggers/Resist Temptations

✅ This may consist of feelings, people, situations, etc. that tempt you to vape. Attempt to avoid until temptations have disappeared. This may include modifying your normal routine. If avoiding is not an option, prepare for handling triggers. Prepare for cravings and withdrawal.

Make The Mental Shift

✅ Think positive. Imagine your future healthy life without vaping. Make a list of all the benefits you will receive from quitting. It may take time to get used to your new life-style, but will soon become your new normal.

Surround Yourself With Supportive People

  1. Tell your friends and family. They are on your side!
  2. Make an appointment at Campus Health with one of our providers.
  3. Call QuitlineNC – telephone service is 24/7 at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or register online
  4. Access the QuitlineNC WebCoach available 24 hours a day online
  5. Text DITCHJUUL to 88709 to get support from Truth Initiative experts. This program has helped 800,000 people quit their vaping habits.

 

Details from this article were collected from the CDC website.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/s-1010-vaping-injury-update.html Published Oct. 10, 2019.

Written by Sarah Garfinkle, PharmD Candidate in the Eschelman School of Pharmacy

 

Measles: What You Need To Know

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There has been an outbreak of measles occurring at various locations around the country, largely attributed to a higher percentage of unvaccinated individuals.  Although there have been no cases to date in North Carolina, you can protect yourself and the UNC community by making sure you are up to date with your vaccinations and proper self-care.
 
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can easily spread from one person to the other – even by being in the same room with an infected individual, as it is spread by airborne droplets. The majority of the individuals who catch measles are unvaccinated, but rarely people can get it after vaccination.  Symptoms begin with a fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, and red eyes, followed by a red rash that spreads all over the body.
 
So how should you protect yourself?

1. Make sure you have received two doses of the Measles vaccine. Typically this is given as a combined vaccine called the  measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Most everyone received this vaccine in childhood so check your immunization records.
If not, students can get vaccinated at CHS, for a small fee. Call 919-966-22181 to make an appointment. Faculty and staff should visit their private health care provider or pharmacy.

2. Keep yourself healthy. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water; sneeze and cough into a tissue or your elbow; and avoid sharing drinks, food, and utensils. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.  The virus can live up to two hours on a surface where an infected person coughed or sneezed and is still capable of infecting others in that time frame.

3. Watch for symptoms of a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes followed by a red, raised rash.  Contact CHS 919-966-2281 if you experience them and ask to speak with a nurse.  

4.  Be a good citizen and stay at home if you are sick. Don’t go to class or work,  the dining hall, social or public events, or use public transportation. Use good respiratory hygiene and cover your cough and sneeze and wash your hands frequently.  Treatment is symptomatic with lots of bed rest, increased fluids, and over the counter pain medicines like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
More information available at the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/measles/resources/index.html