Houston Medical Times

10/17/2023

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Early detection through screenings provides best chance of beating breast cancer

By Tamer Khashab, M.D., Hematology/Oncology, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Berthelsen Main Campus

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Each year in the U.S., about 240,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,100 in men. Although deaths from breast cancer have declined over time, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death among women overall. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women and black women die from breast cancer at a higher rate than white women.

The month of October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, reminding us to be aware of the symptoms and risk factors for breast cancer.

Symptoms of breast cancer may include:

• New lump in breast or underarm (armpit)
• Changes in size or shape of breast
• Thickening or swelling in parts of the breast
• Pulling in of the ni**le or pain in the ni**le area
• Pain in any area of the breast
• Ni**le discharge other than breast milk, including blood
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Redness or flakiness in ni**le area or breast

Mammograms (X-rays of the breast) are especially important because they may detect breast cancer when there are no apparent symptoms. Screening recommendations vary between experts, but for women at average risk for breast cancer, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) currently recommends screening mammography every two years from age 50 to 74 years. Before age

09/06/2023

Understanding Imperfection

By Michael Jones Ph.D



Understanding Imperfection
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum, giving the resulting piece a unique, beautiful appearance. The philosophy behind kintsugi is that the repair is part of the history of the object and that the cracks and breaks give the object character and beauty.
The concept of kintsugi can be viewed as a metaphor for coping with emotional or psychological trauma. Just as the broken pottery is mended and strengthened through the process of kintsugi, individuals who have experienced trauma can also learn to heal and strengthen themselves through their struggles.
The concept of kintsugi can help us understand that emotional or psychological scars are not something to be hidden or ashamed of but something that can be embraced and celebrated as part of their unique journey. The idea that the cracks and breaks in an object can give it character and beauty can apply to the idea that our struggles can also strengthen us and make us become more resilient.
Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic concept that values the beauty of things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. It is the art of finding beauty in things that are “worn,” “weathered,” or “aged.” Wabi-sabi is often associated with Zen Buddhism and has been described as a way of living that emphasizes simplicity, humility, and the appreciation of natural and humble objects. We can learn to accept our own imperfections and impermanence. We can come to realize that these are a natural part of the human experience. This can help us develop a more accepting and compassionate view of ourselves and others, which can be beneficial for mental health and well-being.

“The Mindful Path: Combining Psychotherapy and Buddhist Practices” is now available on Amazon!

08/16/2023

Join your friends, family and co-workers to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

We're all tied to heart disease and stroke in some way, and we must change that. By registering for the Heart Walk today, you are taking the first step to save lives.

05/05/2023

Happy Stroke Month!

Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age. In fact, globally about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Even so, most adults in the U.S. don’t know the F.A.S.T warning signs of a stroke, and that stroke is largely treatable if you call 911 as soon as you recognize the symptoms.

Our power is in knowledge and how we apply that knowledge starting today to defeat stroke. Can prevention be a super-power? Without a doubt. Can acting F.A.S.T. change a life? Absolutely.

Your health is in your hands. Let’s defeat stroke by acting now.

Attached is the May monthly toolkit with social media post suggestions, email templates and so much more. Please let me know if you have any questions or specific needs.

03/31/2023

TIRR Memorial Hermann Hotwheels take the court during NCAA’s Final Four Friday

In a first-of-its-kind exhibition this morning at NRG stadium, 18 athletes from the TIRR Memorial Hermann prep and varsity Hotwheels basketball teams showed off their skills during an intersquad scrimmage. A National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) youth wheelchair basketball exhibition has never before been played on the court of an NCAA Division 1 men’s Final Four tournament court.

The Hotwheels teams are made up of middle and high school students from the Southeast Texas region. They are part of TIRR’s Adapted Sports Program, which launched in 1997 and includes two youth wheelchair basketball teams, as well as an adult wheelchair rugby team and adult wheelchair softball team. Adapted sports are competitive, recreational sports for people with physical disabilities.

“We had the opportunity to demonstrate the competitiveness of wheelchair basketball so the public can see it firsthand," said Peggy Turner, athletics community liaison and the adapted sports and recreation coordinator at TIRR. “Adapted sport has the power to develop greater independence and social-emotional skills among athletes. It leads to an overall improvement in independence, social awareness, self-confidence and self-esteem, and gives the athletes a community of peers they don’t have in school.”

For members of the Hotwheels team, the program has not only provided an opportunity to hone their athletic abilities and expand their self-confidence, but it has also helped many players achieve their dreams of going to college. Multiple players over the years have received full athletic scholarships to attend universities that have college wheelchair basketball programs.
The prep Hotwheels basketball team, in its inaugural year, just returned from the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Wichita, Kansas, where they placed 15th in the nation after beginning the season ranked 34th out of 34 teams.
Turner will be honored by the NCAA for her work in the adapted sport community on Monday during the NCAA Final Four Championship game, along with four other Houstonians.

12/19/2022

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Donated $5,000 to Houston Police Department’s Blue Santa Program

Hundreds of Martin Elementary School students received a magical holiday surprise on the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 13: toys and bicycles provided by Kelsey-Seybold and the Houston Police Department! Kelsey-Seybold donated $5,000 to the Houston Police Department’s Blue Santa Program, which provides gifts to Houston-area families during this holiday season. Houston police officers and Bambi Hoefner, M.D., F.A.A.P., Westchase Clinic, distributed the gifts to gleeful students. Alief ISD presented Kelsey-Seybold and the Houston Police Department with Platinum Partner Award plaques during the event.
From left: Jonathan Lui, Lieutenant, Houston Police Department; Bambi Hoefner, M.D., F.A.A.P., Pediatrics, Westchase Clinic; Jorge Ibañez, in mascot costume; Dee Jones, business and community partnership coordinator, Alief Independent School District; and Ting-Ling Sha, Ph.D., principal, Martin Elementary School.

11/30/2022

UT Southwestern geriatrician recommends flu shots for those 65 and older as cases rise
Older adults, who are more susceptible to infection and hospitalization, should get a high-dose vaccine

Research shows that high-dose flu vaccines reduced the risk of infection by 24% in older adults compared with the standard dose.

10/07/2022

https://susangkomenhq.app.box.com/s/2gujxnmqtsku4r3c2nstbkcqsrg8njlw

05/11/2022

Nurses Appreciation Week is a time to honor and recognize the knowledge, skills, and dedication of nurses across the country. There are hundreds of specialty areas in nursing, but it takes a remarkable kind of person to work in areas that focus around abuse, trauma or providing care to marginalized members of the community. May 6-12 2022

02/24/2022

Kelsey-Seybold’s Gulfgate Clinic Celebrates Opening with Houston East End Area Chamber of Commerce

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Gulfgate Clinic providers and staff were joined by members of the Houston East End Area Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 22 for a ribbon cutting at the new clinic. The 19,137-square-foot clinic serves residents in the South-Central region of Houston.

Gulfgate Clinic providers and staff and members of the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon in celebration of the clinic’s opening.
From left to right: Maria Cruz, C.M.A.; Dayo Taylor, R.T.R.(M.), Mammography Technician; Maribel Bernal, Pharmacy Technician; Amber Sheppard, Board Member, Houston East End Area Chamber of Commerce; Veronica Garza, P.A-C.; Mark Anthony Garza, Chamber Member, Houston East End Area

12/16/2021

Scientists around the world are scrambling to gather more information about Omicron—the latest variant of Covid-19. In this video, Dr. Parker Hudson, assistant professor of internal medicine and infectious diseases at Dell Medical School at UT Austin, discusses four things we know about this new mutation—and what people can do to protect themselves.

12/13/2021

Kelsey-Seybold spreads holiday cheer with BakerRipley Harbach Campus Toy Drive donation

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic proudly partnered with BakerRipley Harbach Campus in Houston for its annual toy drive and Dec. 11 Holiday Connect event benefiting local families and children. This year, Kelsey-Seybold providers and staff donated nearly 500 items, including toys, clothing, and diapers, valued at approximately $12,500.

11/30/2021

What Parents and Gift Givers Should Know Before Buying a Toy for the Children in Their Lives

By Teryn Perkins, M.D., Pediatrics, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

Toys and tots make the holidays festive and fun. Each year, however, thousands of children are injured by toys. That’s why it’s important to ask yourself the following five questions when buying a toy for a child in your life.

If the answer is “yes” to any of the checklist questions, the toy may be an inappropriate choice.

Safe-Toy Checklist
• Does the toy have any sharp edges that could cut a child?
• Is the toy made of thin plastic that might splinter or break into sharp pieces?
• Is the toy poorly made?
• Does it have small pieces a child might swallow and choke on?
• Is it a projectile or “throwing” toy with sharp points or spikes?
Almost all toy-related injuries and deaths involve children younger than 5. Children 3 and younger have the greatest risk of choking because they tend to put objects, especially toys, in their mouths.
Other Toy Safety Tips
In addition to the toy checklist, there are important safety tips to keep in mind when shopping for young children. Most importantly, pay special attention to the age recommended for the toy, as indicated on the packaging.
When buying arts-and-crafts gifts for children ages 3 to 12, look for products marked with the ASTM-D4236 designation. This code indicates that the product has been reviewed by a toxicologist expert on poisonous substances and any known health hazards will be identified and stated on the label. However, this designation does not mean the product is non-toxic.

Magnets or magnetic balls are another common toy with significant health risks. If swallowed, these magnets can be a danger to children due to risk of serious injury to the stomach & gut lining. Ingestion could require hospitalization or even surgery.

Recently, mobile toys like electronic scooters and hover boards have gained popularity. While these gifts are exciting, they also pose a danger to children who may not be old enough — or may not have the proper coordination — to ride. Older children who do receive a gift like this should always wear proper safety gear, which includes a well-fitting helmet, and be under the supervision of a trusted adult.

10/11/2021

By Judith Munoz, M.D., Breast Diagnostic Center

Beating breast cancer begins with early diagnosis
Self-exams and regular mammograms are essential for early detection

Early detection of breast cancer helps improve patient outcomes. A common misconception is that only older women are at risk for breast cancer. In reality, adults of any age – women and men – may be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Beginning in their 20s, women and men with a family history of breast cancer or who fall into a higher risk category should do regular breast self-exams. Around the same time each month, examine breasts for:
• Lumps
• Dimpling
• Changes in skin texture or color
• Unusual tenderness
• Discharge

If you notice a change, schedule a visit with your primary care physician to have those changes assessed.

Starting at age 40, or earlier based on your family history and individual risk factors, it is recommended that women begin annual mammogram screenings. Radiologists compare the results from year to year and look for changes.

Early detection, whether through self-exams or mammograms, is the best line of defense for identifying breast cancer in its earlier stages, when treatment options have an increased chance of yielding the best outcomes.

10/08/2021

The new Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – River Oaks providers and staff welcomed Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin and Kelsey-Seybold leadership to the clinic’s Oct. 6 ribbon cutting.

The 12,500-square-foot clinic is located in the historic River Oaks Shopping Center at 2040 West Gray St. Opened Sept. 7, the clinic offers adult primary care and Orthopedics – Sports Medicine, with plans to expand services to include an OB/GYN specialist by year’s end.

From left: Kenneth Janis, M.H.A, M.B.A, Chief Operating Officer, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic; Brinda Springfield, Senior Director of Ambulatory Clinics, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic; Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin; Cecilia Lowder, M.D., Managing Physician, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – River Oaks; Precious Knighton, Clinic Administrator, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – River Oaks; and Tony Lin, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Managers and CEO, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.

09/15/2021

2021 Komen Houston Race for the Cure®
Saturday, October 2, 2021
Join us no matter where you are, and feel the presence of our ONE community every step of the way.

September 27 October 1: Power of ONE Week Activities
October 2, 7:45 am: In-Person Opening Ceremony Begins
October 2, 8am: In-Person Race starts with staggered start. See Event Day Details for more info.
Oct.2 All Day: Race Where You Are and ONE Community Audio Experience
Add Event Date to Calendar
View Event Day Schedule

Sam Houston Park / Allen Parkway
1000 Bagby St.
Houston, TX 77002

09/13/2021

INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE, MONDAY, SEPT. 13, 2021 – 12 P.M.
Patient information regarding clinic operations, closures

(Sept. 13, 2021) – At this time, Clinic locations are open for in-person care through 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13. For the safety of our patients and employees, all Kelsey-Seybold Clinic locations will be closed for in-person care and services on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
Virtual Visits will remain available for adults from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and children from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
We will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates on any potential impact to Clinic operations at kelsey-seybold.com/weather.
We ask that patients monitor weather and traffic conditions closely and tune into the local news channels for more information. Patients can cancel or reschedule their appointment via their MyKelseyOnline account. Patients may also convert their in-person appointment to a Virtual Visit. See below for more information on how to change your appointment.
Monday, Sept. 13 Operations Updates:
• COVID-19 testing centers will be closed Monday at 5:00 p.m.
• Kelsey-Seybold Sleep Center will be closed Monday evening through Tuesday.
• Diagnostic imaging appointments currently scheduled for Monday after 5:00 p.m. are cancelled and will be rescheduled for a future date.
Tuesday, Sept. 14 Operations Updates:
For the safety of our patients and employees we have made the decision to close all Kelsey-Seybold Clinic locations on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
• All in-person appointments, pharmacies, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging services will be closed/cancelled.
o Virtual Visits with Kelsey-Seybold providers will remain available to patients. Patients with in-person appointments scheduled on Tuesday, Sept. 14 may have the option to convert their appointment to a Virtual Visit. Patients can reschedule their in-person appointment for a future date (see rescheduling information below).
• Kelsey-Seybold Ambulatory Surgery Centers will be closed. Patients will be contacted to reschedule their procedure for a future date.
• All COVID-19 testing centers will be closed.
• Kelsey-Seybold Sleep Center will be closed. Patients will be contacted to reschedule their appointment for a future date.
• Kelsey-Seybold’s Infusion and Radiation Oncology will be closed. Patients will be contacted to reschedule appointments.
• Kelsey-Seybold Administrative Office (employees-only) in Pearland will be closed for any non-essential employees.
How to Cancel, Reschedule, or Convert an Existing Appointment:
Patients concerned about a scheduled appointment, can reschedule for a future date in-person visit or convert their appointment to a Video Visit.
Log in to your MyKelseyOnline patient portal to reschedule or change your appointment type. Patients can also call the 24/7 Contact Center at 713-422-0000 for assistance scheduling Video Visits or In-Person appointments.
Please note that due to higher-than-normal call volumes to our Contact Center you may experience longer than usual wait times.
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08/10/2021

In Response to Growing COVID-19 Cases, Memorial Hermann Updates Visitor Policy, Effective Aug. 11
________________________________________

As cases of COVID-19 continue to increase at an alarming rate in the Greater Houston area, Memorial Hermann is reinstating a No Visitor Policy at all facilities across the System, effective Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. Memorial Hermann believes this difficult decision is necessary to protect the health and safety of our employees, physician partners, patients and the community as our environment continues to quickly evolve. At this time, volunteers will be allowed to continue serving if they so choose, ensuring all the necessary safety precautions are being taken.
There will be very limited compassionate exceptions to the No Visitor Policy. All approved visitors will be required to clear a health screening before entering the facility and wear a Memorial Hermann-provided mask.
Limited inpatient exceptions:
• For all acute care hospitals, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, TIRR Memorial Hermann, Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy and Memorial Hermann Prevention & Recovery Center:
o One adult visitor (18 and over) per laboring, antepartum and postpartum patient per day. This same visitor may stay overnight.
o One parent/guardian visitor per pediatric patient per day. This same visitor may stay overnight.
o One adult visitor for patients with life-threatening injuries. This same visitor may stay overnight.
o One visitor for patients receiving emergent care. (Age restrictions do not apply to visitors under 18 who present in the Emergency Center with a patient. Minors who accompany Emergency Center patients must remain with the patient.)
o One adult visitor for patients at the time of discharge following a surgery or procedure.
o Family members for patients in hospice or supportive medicine.
o Patients with a disability or other medical condition who need assistance communicating with staff will be evaluated for potential visitor exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Limited outpatient exceptions:
• For the following outpatient facilities, including Outpatient Imaging Departments, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation clinics, Convenient Care Centers, MHMG locations, MNA Clinics and the Davis Clinic, TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy Outpatient Rehabilitation Center:
o One parent/guardian visitor for pediatric patients.
o One primary caregiver, such as a guardian or adult caregiver of a dependent patient or individual accompanying patient with special needs, for adult patients.
University Place continues to adhere to the state’s guidelines for nursing center visitation.

05/12/2021

Long before anyone knew a global pandemic would create upheaval for the entire healthcare community, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. As part of the celebration plans, the American Nurses Association (ANA) decided to turn National Nurses Week, which was annually celebrated from May 6-12, into National Nurses Month.

04/14/2021

Memorial Hermann Teams Up with Landry’s, Houston Rockets, and Texas Restaurant Association to Vaccinate Hospitality Workers
HOUSTON (April 14, 2021) – Memorial Hermann Health System and Tilman Fertitta’s Houston Rockets and Landry’s Inc., in association with The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), are hosting a Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Drive-Thru Clinic to vaccinate thousands of hospitality workers across the Greater Houston area.
The clinic will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 20, at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. Memorial Hermann will administer approximately 12,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine (6,000 per day), to individuals ages 16 and older. Please note, a parent or legal representative must accompany minors (individuals age 16 and 17) to their vaccination appointment. Registration is open to all members of the TRA.
“Memorial Hermann has a long-standing relationship with the Houston Rockets and we are thrilled to join forces with them and the TRA to provide a for our city’s hard-working hospitality employees,” said Dr. David Callender, President & CEO of Memorial Hermann. “These essential workers provide such important services for our community, and often their roles require them to come into close contact with others, so we want to ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep them – and those around them – as safe and healthy as possible by protecting them against COVID-19.”
Vaccine supply is limited so appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and walk-ins will not be accommodated. Individuals who do not have an appointment confirmation and a photo ID that matches the name and date of birth on the appointment confirmation will not be vaccinated.
“I have thousands of employees across the Houston area who are serving on the front lines every day and their safety remains a top priority as we continue to navigate through this pandemic,” said Tilman Fertitta, owner of Landry’s, Inc. and the Houston Rockets. “Now that vaccine eligibility has opened up across Texas, this opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine shot is an important added safety measure that helps all hospitality industry employees feel safe and comfortable as we continue to welcome more and more guests back inside our restaurants.”
“There is an urgency to vaccinate our restaurant workers who are serving guests every day in the dining rooms of Texas,” said Dr. Emily Williams Knight, President and CEO of TRA. “In addition to the resolute precautions taken by restaurants, a vaccine against COVID-19 will provide one more level of protection for our employees. We are thankful for the tremendous support shown by like-minded organizations, sports teams, hospitals, and other partners who are committed to helping our industry’s best asset – its people.”

Other members of the community who want to register for an opportunity to receive a vaccine from Memorial Hermann can do so by completing the system’s COVID-19 Vaccination Request Form. Once the online request form has been completed, individuals will be placed on a waitlist for future appointments at Memorial Hermann’s vaccination clinics.

For the latest information about COVID-19 and vaccine distribution, visit Memorial Hermann’s website.

04/05/2021

Houston VA has plenty of COVID vaccine and we are now vaccinating Veterans of all ages (regardless of whether they are enrolled at the VA), their spouses and caregivers, as well as CHAMPVA beneficiaries. Read more about eligibility for the vaccine.
The Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine is available this week and next week.
Thursday, April 8 and 15 we will offer Veterans, their caregivers, and their spouses the opportunity to get the Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine at the CBOCs below. No appointment will be necessary for getting the vaccine. Walk in anytime between 1-4 p.m. at these locations:
Conroe VA Outpatient Clinic
Katy VA Outpatient Clinic
Lake Jackson VA Outpatient Clinic
Richmond VA Outpatient Clinic
Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic
Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic
The Pfizer vaccine is available at our main medical center at the following locations every week for Veterans, their caregivers, and their spouses.

Monday-Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Walk-in vaccine clinic, Building 108A
Wednesday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drive thru vaccine clinic, enter through our Almeda gate and get the vaccine from the comfort of your vehicle.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon, Drive thru vaccine
Saturday: noon-4 p.m., Walk-in clinic main medical center Primary Care hallway on first floor

Information for all Vaccine Clinics
If you already have an appointment to get the vaccine, please keep your appointment.
Appointments at Houston VA for the second dose of the vaccine are being held in Building 108A, just outside the main hospital entrance.
Individuals receiving a two-dose series of vaccinations will receive an appointment for their second vaccine dose when they check in to get the first dose. If you would prefer to make an appointment to get the COVID vaccine at our main medical center during the week, call us at 713-794-8985.
Who is eligible to be vaccinated at our VA?
• Veterans: All Veterans are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine at VA. Their age, nature of discharge and whether they are enrolled for care no longer matters. We vaccinate anyone who served in the U.S. military, including the U.S. National Guard, Reserves, or Coast Guard.
• Spouses and Surviving Spouses of Veterans: For COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, we are including spouses of same-sex and common-law marriages. Eligibility includes a widow or widower of a Veteran. If an individual characterizes his or her relationship as spousal, he or she can receive the vaccine. No further documentation is required.
• Caregivers of a Veteran: For COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, we define a caregiver as a family member or friend who provides care to the Veteran. Caregivers may help the Veteran with personal needs like feeding, bathing, or dressing. They may also help the Veteran with tasks like shopping or transportation. A person stating that they are the caregiver of a Veteran and giving the Veteran’s name is sufficient to give him or her a vaccine.
• CHAMPVA Recipients: Recipients of Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) benefits, including spouses or children of permanently and totally disabled Veterans or of Veterans who have died from service-connected disabilities. Recipients must meet CDC age requirements for vaccine administration.
Thank you for choosing the VA as your healthcare provider. It is our honor and privilege to serve you.

03/15/2021

https://youtu.be/u8l8k1boJfg

Rice Stadium is about to become a community vaccination site serving the entire Houston area.The clinic, one of several operated by Baylor St. Luke’s Medical...

02/19/2021

Expert emphasizes importance of boiling water


Houston (Feb. 19, 2021) – As boil water mandates continue across Texas as a result of the winter storm, a Baylor College of Medicine infectious diseases expert discusses why it’s important to follow these guidelines.
“Typically, our municipalities have a system in place to make sure that the water is not contaminated with bacteria that could cause disease, but when a situation occurs where they cannot assure that these systems are in place, it’s important that we take precautions in case our water sources have become contaminated,” said Dr. Stacey Rose, assistant professor of medicine in the section of infectious diseases at Baylor.
If the water source is compromised, bacteria such as E. coli may become present in the water at unsafe levels, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting, Rose said. It’s also possible for fungal organisms to be present in the water.
Rose emphasized that though these microorganisms haven’t been confirmed in any of the water sources yet, it’s important to take precautions when municipalities cannot verify that systems are in place to protect the water supply.
Be sure to use boiled water for cooking, drinking and brushing your teeth, she said. Rose also cautioned not to let water get into your mouth when showering and avoid brushing your teeth in the shower. If possible, she also recommends using boiled or bottled water to wash your face so that bacteria don’t come into contact with the mucous membranes such as lips and eyes. Though it’s ok to wash your hands with soap and tap water, consider using hand sanitizer afterwards. It is also good practice to wash dishes using boiled water or via a dishwasher that uses high temperatures to sanitize surfaces.
Rose said that these microscopic organisms are not visible to the naked eye, so even if the tap water is clear, it’s still possible for bacteria to be present.
If you experience symptoms such as diarrhea, fever or vomiting, consult your primary care provider. If you are not able to keep food or liquids down due to vomiting and diarrhea, seek care immediately.
It’s important to stay tuned to your municipality’s restrictions over the next several days, Rose said. Once they perform additional checks to their systems, they will notify the community when the boil water notice has been lifted.