Tennessee Department of Health focusing on localized infections from steroid shots.

11/26/2012

 
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Tennessee's Department of Health has not relaxed in their efforts to assist those who have been affected by the fungal meningitis outbreak.  Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH said, "We are renewing our contacts with patients and are already working closely with clinical staff at the three facilities in Tennessee where contaminated drugs were given as they do the same." The new wrinkle in the outbreak is localized infections at the injection site. Dreyzehner said they have seen localized infection in 49 patients so far. Most of those patients also had meningitis. Aside from pain at or near the original site of the injection, patients may experience loss of bowel or bladder control. "For some patients, an additional MRI may be required to assist with the diagnosis," Dreyzehner said. "Patients who develop symptoms of new localized infections should contact the physician who provided the epidural steroid injection."

If you or a loved one received a steroid shot and became sick, contact us for a personal consultation at the Law office of T. Verner Smith: (731) 423-1888 or (615) 371-6136.
 

REQUIRED back to school immunization & booster shots! Get the info here.

07/10/2012

 
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With school about to get back underway in West Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health is reminding parents to add 'immunizations' to their checklist. In Tennessee, children enrolling in school for the first time, and all children going into the 7th grade are required to provide a Tennessee immunization certificate. Most insurance plans, Tenncare included, covers these state-required vaccines. Lots of Tennessee teens missed getting a second dose of chickenpox vaccine, or their diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus booster shots. These are now required for 7th graders. The Tennessee Department of Health recommends you contact your child's primary physician to determine if they have all of the required immunizations. If your child is uninsured, local health departments have vaccines available.  You should also be aware that while certain vaccines are 'recommended', they are not required for pre-teens and teens. For example, there is a recommended vaccine against specific types of meningitis, and there is the HPV vaccine which allegedly helps prevent cervical cancer in women & other cancers in men. For a complete list of Tennessee Child Care & School Immunization requirements, click here. If you have a question about your school policies and specific dates regarding when certificates must be proviced, contact your local school.