Semo.net Weblog » Medical

Swine Flu Info Much Better Now

Brian Becker — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:52:23 +0000

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has added much more detailed information about the probable and confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Missouri. I would like to publicly thank them for changing how they release the information to the public for probable cases. For More Information: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BT_Response/_SwineFlu09.html

Do the Policies of Poplar Bluff Schools Promote the Spread of Infectious Disease?

Heather Nagy — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:00:25 +0000

As a parent of a child in the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District, I have always had concerns about some policies that seem to promote school attendance for sick children. The recent swine flu epidemic has prompted me to express my concerns publicly. As of today, 430 schools in the US have closed. Our government is recommending any school with confirmed cases stay closed for at least 14 days because children can be contagious for 7 – 10 days. The CDC is advocating standard, common sense precautions in order to stop the spread of the disease. Per the director of the CDC, “If your children are sick, have a fever and flu-like illness, they shouldn’t go to school.” Maybe if more people followed this advice, we wouldn’t have to close schools in the first place.
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Why Won’t They Say Where?

Brian Becker — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:16:50 +0000

[Update: As of late Saturday, the Missouri Dept of Health and Senior Services released that the two probable cases are from Howard County.]

I’ve been trying to help our online community by providing Swine Flu information for Missouri as it becomes available. However, it has been frustrating to say the least because the Missouri state agencies responsible for releasing the information won’t be specific. It took scouring several posts to find that the first probable case was near Kansas City.

Yesterday, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced that two more probable cases were discovered in “Central Missouri” (a 50,000 square mile target) but no specific counties or cities have been named. The official reason for not releasing more information is found in the following quote:
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Missouri’s First “probable” Swine Flu Case in Kansas City Area

Brian Becker — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:37:43 +0000

Gov. Nixon announces prompt state response to first probable Missouri case of swine flu

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today reported that the swine flu (H1N1) virus already spreading in other states appears to have reached Missouri. The administration is responding by ensuring that anti-viral medications are distributed to the affected site and that the case is properly handled.
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Local Health & Medical Providers Meet to Discuss Swine Flu Situation

Semo.net Management — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:26:20 +0000

As of 1:00 p.m. April 27, 2009, there have been no reported cases of swine flu in Missouri. Local health officials, first responders, community representatives and the Emergency Management Director met today to discuss the evolving swine flu situation. Butler County has increased its disease surveillance, and remains in constant contact with state health department officials. The Butler County Health Department is providing information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), related to swine flu, to local media outlets, community leaders and the public. Additionally, the health department has notified healthcare providers, child care facilities, restaurants, etc. in Butler County regarding guidelines for the identification and treatment of swine flu.

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Hearing Technology – Part II

Shelly Culp — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:25:18 +0000

You wouldn’t normally think that a hearing impaired individual would get into trouble talking in class, but one teenage boy would beg to differ. Adam, who is 15, received his Cochlear implant at the age of 2 after a bout with meningitis resulting in his being diagnosed deaf. Adam doesn’t feel that his implant prevents him from being just another kid. He enjoys talking on his cell phone and says that no one at school makes fun of him and he feels very much a part of his school.

When Mardie’s mother was diagnosed with Rubella while she was pregnant, it resulted in her being born with a major hearing impairment. Although she could not hear, her parents insisted upon treating her normally and using oral language to teach her rather than sign. Growing up in the 1940s, there were no special education options available for a hearing impaired individual. Mardie attended regular public schools and learned the art of lip reading. She even went on to receive a college degree in English.

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Hearing Technology

Shelly Culp — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:00:17 +0000

In 2001, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh found himself having difficulty hearing callers on his radio show. Doctors eventually diagnosed Limbaugh with an auto-immune ear disease, which would leave him virtually deaf. A Cochlear implant was a great option for Limbaugh and the procedure was performed in December 2001 and after outpatient auditory therapy he returned back to work in January of 2002. Now seven years after the surgery, Limbaugh booms across the U.S. airwaves without missing a beat.

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Jenny McCarthy: Advocate for Autism

Shelly Culp — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:00:59 +0000

Before 2007, ask a woman “Who is Jenny McCarthy?” and she may not have been able to tell you. If you would ask a man, you could have gotten an answer of former Playboy Playmate, former host of MTV shows and guest appearances on a variety of shows. Jenny was not known for her “smarts”, but instead her physical attributes.

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