UPDATE: SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION 2018-2019

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World Health Organization data indicate that influenza A viruses were by far the most common cause of illness in the Southern Hemisphere’s 2018 flu season, with subtype A (H1N1) pdm09 dominating overall.

Last flu season was deadliest since 1976, CDC says: The US saw about 80,000 deaths related to flu and complications from the illness last winter, the most since 1976, according to the CDC. Nearly all the deaths — 90% — were in people at least 65 years old.

Get flu shot by end of Oct., CDC advises: The CDC is calling for people ages 6 months and older to be vaccinated against seasonal flu by the end of October. Because it takes about two weeks after vaccination for people to develop antibodies against influenza, they should receive the vaccine before the virus starts circulating nearby. Flu vaccination is the best way to protect those most at risk.

Immunization Recommendations for 2018-2019 Flu Season

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• Recommendation for vaccination: Routine annual vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and above who do not have contraindications.

The WHO recommends the following for the Northern Hemisphere’s quadrivalent (four-strain) vaccines:

  • For H1N1, an A/Michigan/45/2015-like virus
  • For H3N2, an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016-like virus
  • For B Victoria, a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus
  • For B Yamagata, a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus

The Japanese vaccine will contain the following four-strains:

  • For H1N1, an A/Singapore / GP1908 / 2015 pdm09-like virus
  • For H3N2, an A/Singapore / INFIMH-16-0019 / 2016-like virus
  • For B Victoria, a B / Maryland / 15 / 2016-like virus
  • For B Yamagata, a B / Phuket / 3073 / 2013-like virus

• Timing of vaccination: Vaccination should occur before the onset of influenza activity in the community.

• Travelers: Travelers who wish to reduce the risk for influenza infection should consider influenza vaccination, preferably 2 weeks before departure.

Please contact our office for details and appointments. Special arrangements can be made for large groups or companies that require all employees to be vaccinated.

PSYNARY is an innovative tool for your mental health

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Supporting clinicians to treat mood and anxiety disorders
Enabling organizations to deliver care
Empowering patients on their personal path to recovery

By using Psynary you will be providing your clinician with all the information they need to make the best decisions about your treatment before you come to clinic, so you can use the clinic time to focus on what is important to you.

Psynary is secure, completely anonymous and free. Psynary does not collect any information that can be used to personally identify you. You are linked directly to your clinician, but you can also link to other health professionals in your team to help coordinate your care.

Psynary can be accessed through any internet device: desktops, laptops, tablets or smart phones. You can carry out assessments in your own home, in your own time.

The American Clinic Tokyo can create a Psynary account for you. Please call us at 03-6441-0969 and find out more about how it can help you.

https://www.psynary.com/accounts/login/about/patient/

Our Performance Against Set Standards

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In an effort to measure and assess our performance against set standards, Dr Andrew Kissane has taken part in clinical governance activities, including an audit cycle. We are conducting this practice at the American Clinic Tokyo and have audited the outcomes we are achieving for patients. The data has been published in an audit poster at the Royal College of Psychiatrists International Congress 2017 held in Edinburgh.

ACT audit RCPsych Int Congress 2017    Audit RCPsych Int Congress 2017

For more information, please follow the links below:

https://www.psynary.com/

http://www.tokyomentalhealth.com

Urinary tract infections: Treat with antibiotics as soon as possible

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when bacteria get into the urethra and travel up into the bladder. They are among the most common infections in people, and antibiotic treatment is usually helpful in treating an infection.

If the infection stays just in the bladder, it is a called “cystitis.” Common symptoms include pain or burning when urinating, urinary frequency or urgency, blood in the urine. Treatment will usually require a 3-5 day course of antibiotics.

But if the infection travels up past the bladder and into the kidneys, it is called “pyelonephritis.” Common symptoms include fever, flank pain, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment will usually require a 7-14 day course of antibiotics.

More information can be found here: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/urinary-tract-infections-in-adolescents-and-adults-beyond-the-basics

If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 03-4405-6210 and talk with one of our nurses.

Morning-after-pill NorLevo® and oral contraceptives in Japan

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Oral contraceptive (levonorgestrel) NorLevo® was released for prescription in Japan in April 2016. It is better known as Plan B (morning after pill) in the United States. This pill is a single pill you take by mouth. It must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or birth control failure to help prevent pregnancy. The sooner you take it, the better it will work for you.

When used as directed, oral contraceptives are generally safe and effective. But it shouldn’t be used as regular birth control because it’s not as effective. Some may experience side effects, such as Nausea, Abdominal cramps, Fatigue, Headache, Dizziness, Breast tenderness, Vomiting, and a period that is lighter, heavier, early, or late. It is used for emergency contraception only and not during pregnancy. Please note that his pill will not protect you against HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

You will know it worked when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time. If your period is more than a week late, it is possible you may be pregnant. You should get a pregnancy test and follow up with your doctor. If you have questions, call us at 03-4405-6210 and talk with one of our nurses.