Preparing for the battle of the bug

SAMC offers advice to help fight swine and seasonal flu viruses

CROWN POINT - It’s but a matter of time before seasonal and swine flu bugs invade Northwest Indiana and Saint Anthony Medical Center wants to help the public better understand what to expect and to not panic in the process.

Following a spring nationwide outbreak that resulted in oft-published reports of fatalities associated with H1N1, the technical name for swine flu, some people may view the virus as akin to a death sentence as it returns this fall. That’s not the case, according to Dr. Daniel Netluch, Saint Anthony chief of emergency medicine and urgent care.

“In fact, initially, you have a greater chance of dying from the regular flu,” he added, advising patients to receive vaccinations against both types of virus. While no vaccine carries a 100-percent guarantee, “you’re better off getting a flu shot, than not getting it,” Netluch said.

Swine flu, so named because it is similar to viruses normally found in pigs, is unique in that it carries an infectious agent that previously had not affected humans, unlike seasonal flu, to which most people have been exposed at some point.

Netluch said seasonal and swine flu exhibit similar symptoms – high fever (above 101 degrees), aches and pains, coughing, vomiting, runny nose – and should be treated mostly alike.
“There is no way of knowing which type of flu you have, without testing, and right now the Indiana State Board of Health is not recommending testing. Any patient diagnosed or suspected as having influenza will be assumed to have the H1N1 strain,” Netluch said, advising people who fall ill, become concerned and have questions to contact their doctor or hospital information center. They should go to the emergency room only if symptoms intensify during the course of several days.

“If the fever keeps rising and you just keep feeling worse, call your doctor, or come to the ER.’’ The duration of the illnesses is about a week, although some symptoms, such as cough, can persist. Persons typically no longer are contagious 24 hours after a fever breaks, Netluch said.

In the case of swine flu, it is possible to develop severe respiratory symptoms after several days that can progress to pneumonia or other complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

The CDC says the two viruses differ in that with swine flu, the number of deaths reported is less than seasonal flu among people aged 64 and older, while swine flu has caused more problems for people under age 25.

Seasonal flu vaccinations are available in the area now, while those for swine flu will be on hand in mid-October. The flu season normally runs October through March.
“Two million (H1N1) doses are expected for Indiana, with them being distributed to counties based on size. The county health departments, in turn, will decide how many doses are made available to each area,’’ Netluch said.

Besides a vaccination, a little common sense can go a long way to prevent catching a bug, according to Chris Shakula, Saint Anthony nurse epidemiologist.
“The flu basically is spread by droplets and enters the body through the nose and mouth. If someone coughs or sneezes and you are in close range to them, you can pick up the flu. Also, if you touch an object an infected person has touched and then touch your mucous membranes without first washing your hands, you can get it,’’ she said, adding flu viruses usually survive two to four hours on hard surfaces.

It is possible to get the flu, even if you have received a shot, but the vaccine is not to blame, contrary to what some people think, Shakula and Netluch agree.
“People say they won’t get a flu shot because the last time they got one, they got really sick,” Netluch said. “That means they probably contracted a different strain of the flu than the one for which they were vaccinated, or they may have a cold.” Fever and body aches are more indicative of the flu.
Shakula also pointed out that it takes a flu shot about two weeks to be effective.
“So, if you are infected before that time, you can get the flu.”

HEALTHY ADVICE
If you don’t want the flu:
* Get a flu shot.
* Stay away from infected people.
* Wash your hands properly. Use soap, preferably the antibacterial variety, and warm running water. Lather the hands, rubbing them together vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, scrubbing the front and back, between the fingers and under the fingernails. Rinse well, drying them with a clean or disposable towel and use a towel to turn off the faucet.
* Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Apply about ½ teaspoon of the product to the palm of a hand. Rub the hands together, covering all surfaces, until they dry. If they are visibly dirty, use soap and water first.

If you get the flu:
* Stay home.
* Rest and drink plenty of liquids.
* Avoid using alcohol or tobacco.
* Use over-the-counter medications to treat symptoms (but do not give aspirin to children or teens who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever).
* Consult a doctor for the best treatment. Seek immediate care if signs of severe symptoms arise.

Hospitalist Joins Saint Anthony Medical Center Staff

CROWN POINT - Kwame Larbi, MD, has joined the Saint Anthony Medical Center staff as a hospitalist – a hospital-based physician who provides patients primary care in lieu of family physicians who choose to participate in the program.

Larbi, who is board certified in internal medicine, comes to Saint Anthony effective Oct. 5 from a hospital in North Carolina, where he had served as a hospitalist since 2007. He is the second hospitalist on the Saint Anthony staff and serves under program director Shoaib Rasheed, MD.

Larbi completed his residency at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons at Harlem Hospital Center. His professional memberships include the American College of Physicians and American Medical Association.

Saint Anthony Welcomes Dr. Seferino Farias, General Surgeon

CROWN POINT - Seferino Farias, MD, FACS, general surgeon, has joined the staff of Saint Anthony Medical Center. The Chicago native, who resides in Crown Point, is certified by the American Board of Surgery.

He began practicing in 2000 as a general surgeon, after completing his medical education, internship and residency at the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago, where he likewise completed a general surgery fellowship.

Farias, who also is fluent in Spanish, is accomplished in all aspects of general surgical oncology.
“I am a patient-focused physician. In addition to treating patients, I am a believer in educating patients about their health. I feel patients should be empowered to make the best possible decisions regarding their health,” Farias said. “My strategic goal is to be available for my patients 24/7 and render the best surgical care possible.”

Farias, who also is a major in the U.S. Army Reserves, served with Operation Iraqi Freedom from February through May 2003. He taught a combat casualty course and received the Army Education Service Medal.

He is affiliated with numerous associations and societies, including the American Association of General Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Shock Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American Association for Surgery of Trauma.

Farias also has authored numerous papers in the areas of heart disease and trauma cases.

Effective Oct. 1, Farias will be located at Franciscan Physician Network at Franciscan Point, Saint Anthony’s new outpatient health complex at 12800 Mississippi Parkway (along U.S. 231, about one-half mile east of Interstate 65).

Appointments may be made by calling (219) 663-7000.

Physical Therapist running for Capital Campaign

Left: Brooke Nack, physical therapist, at Saint Anthony Medical Center, spends time on the treadmill, as well as on the streets, preparing for her run in the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

CROWN POINT - Brooke Nack has a knack for giving back. In six years as a physical therapist at the Saint Anthony Medical Center Rehabilitation Institute, she has helped numerous people along the road to recovery, following an accident or illness.

On Oct. 11, Nack will take her cause to the streets to give back again – this time to the Saint Anthony Medical Center Capital Campaign – for which she is seeking pledges for her participation in the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. It is Nack’s first marathon and her first pledge drive. So far, she has raised about $100. Her goal is $1,000.

“If I’m going to spend four hours running a marathon, I might as well be doing something good for the world,” she said, adding she contacted Warren Johnson, director of development for Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Northern Indiana Region, about how she could help locally. He recommended assisting the Capital Campaign.

“As a Christian working for a nonprofit organization, I want to help the community – all of us should be chipping in,” said Nack, a Crown Point resident who took up running about 2 ½ years ago and began marathon training in June.

The Capital Campaign, which began last February and will run through the end of next year, seeks to raise $4.5 million, half of which is being matched by a local, private donor, to build a new complex to house Saint Anthony’s St. Clare Health Clinic and the Prenatal Assistance Program, both of which provide free services for underprivileged area residents and have for years been located in tight, outdated quarters.

Nack, whose goal is to complete the 26-mile event in under-nine-minute miles, says running has proved beneficial to her in more ways than one.
“I do a lot of thinking and it really helps in sorting things out and in making me feel refreshed. It’s definitely a time to be at peace with God and the world,” she said.

Johnson said Nack is no newcomer to supporting the Capital Campaign.
“Brooke was already contributing to our fund drive via our employee giving campaign. Her going the ‘extra mile’ by seeking pledges for her running in the marathon is so heartwarming and a great way to engage her friends, family and many other sponsors in supporting this project,” he said. “We thank her for choosing to run for St. Clare.”

Donations may be made by check to: Saint Anthony Medical Capital Campaign/Marathon, in care of Warren Johnson, 1201 S. Main St., Crown Point, IN 46307. In-person donations also may be made to Nack at the Rehabilitation Institute by contacting the Marketing and Communications Department at (219) 757-6040. Contributors will receive a thank you letter showing proof of their donation, for tax purposes.

BREAKOUT

Running inspiration
While she is clicking off the miles, Brooke Nack says she draws peace and strength from the following Bible verse from Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”

Saint Anthony Physician Receives State Honor

Left: Dr. Kristine Teodori shares a light moment
with patient June Shultz.

CROWN POINT - Kristine Marie Teodori knew at age 8 that she wanted to be a doctor.
“I never thought of doing anything else – it was a true life’s calling,” said the Saint Anthony Medical Center geriatrics physician, a Crown Point native and graduate of Lake Central High School in St. John.
Indiana Public Health Foundation Inc. agrees with Teodori’s assertion and recently announced her as a recipient of its 25th annual 2009 Tony and Mary Hulman Health Achievement Awards, in Teodori’s case, for exceptional contributions to geriatrics and gerontology. The awards, named for the prominent Indianapolis-area entrepreneurs, recognize contributions of health professionals and organizations throughout Indiana.
Teodori, DO, will be honored among other recipients during an awards program Oct. 8 at the Westin Hotel in Indianapolis.
“I had planned to go in to cardiology, but then decided I wanted to do something that allowed me to take care of the whole person,” Teodori said. “One day during my residency, I comforted a patient before a test and her smile warmed my heart. I fell in love with geriatrics.”
Teodori was nominated for the honor by Agnes Seitz, Saint Anthony mission integration director.
“She has true calling to make a difference in the lives of seniors before and at the end of their life ... You could not ask for a better champion of the elderly,” Seitz wrote, in part, of Teodori in a nomination letter.
Teodori said she was surprised to learn of the honor, of which she was notified by Helen Scheibner, health foundation executive director. Scheibner said the award was based on Teodori’s “compassion and desire to make care of patients and end-of-life patients and their families as comfortable as possible … ’’
Teodori said of the award, “I didn’t do anything extraordinary. I just love my job and work hard to do it right. Every patient I see makes me feel good; I enjoy taking care of them. There are not enough geriatricians around.”
Teodori and her partner, Christina Araya-Osorio, MD, who specializes in family practice/geriatrics and recently joined the Saint Anthony staff, are located at Saint Anthony-North Point, 2050 N. Main St., Crown Point.
For more information, call (219) 663-3737.

ABOUT DR. KRISTINE TEODORI
Kristine Marie Teodori, DO, is a 1995 graduate of Indiana University Northwest in Gary. She attended medical school at Midwestern University-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Ill., and earned a geriatrics and gerontology fellowship from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She resides in Lakes of the Four Seasons with her husband, Louis, who is a staff neurologist at Saint Anthony Medical Center, and their four children.