Category: Coronavirus

What You Should Know About the Omicron Variant

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have emerged. While the changes found in many variants have almost no impact on how the virus affects us, some variants do have genetic changes that can significantly impact the effect of the virus

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have emerged. While the changes found in many variants have almost no impact on how the virus affects us, some variants do have genetic changes that can significantly impact the effect of the virus. For example, the delta variant became much more easily transmissible.
The latest variant of possible concern, omicron, has already spread around the world and made its way to most of the United States. As of yet, more information is needed to determine the effect that the genetic changes of the omicron variant will have on the way the disease affects us.
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What You Should Know About the Omicron Variant

The CDC continues to monitor the omicron variant. At this time, however, there is still not enough data to determine exactly how the genetic changes of the omicron variant will affect the virus.
More information is needed to determine how severe illness from omicron will be, how well our existing vaccines work against it, and how well our current medications work to treat illness from omicron.
Although it is likely that omicron is more transmissible than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the delta variant, we do not actually know how easily omicron spreads. Additionally, it is believed that any carrier – whether vaccinated and/or asymptomatic – will be able to transmit omicron to others.

Continue Protecting Yourself and Others Using the Same Methods

You can continue to protect yourself and others from the omicron variant using the same health safety methods with which you’re already familiar:
  • Wear a high-quality mask
  • Get vaccinated
  • Practice social distancing
  • Get tested and isolate if you have been exposed to a person you know has tested positive for COVID-19 or if you have any symptoms
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Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster at Gulf Coast Health Center

According to the CDC, everyone 16 years of age and older is now eligible to receive a booster shot. If you received either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, then you are eligible for a booster shot six months after receiving your second dose. If you received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, then you are eligible to receive a booster two months after receiving your vaccination.
To schedule an appointment for vaccination, to learn more about the omicron variant, or to speak with a doctor about the COVID-19 booster shot, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at Gulf Coast Health Center today.

Are You Eligible for a COVID-19 Booster Shot?

Recently, the FDA and CDC have approved COVID-19 booster shots (a third dose) for certain patients who received either the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccines for COVID-19.

Are You Eligible for a COVID-19 Booster Shot?

Recently, the FDA and CDC have approved COVID-19 booster shots (a third dose) for certain patients who received either the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccines for COVID-19.
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Why Get a Booster Shot for a Vaccine?

Booster shots for vaccines are recommended to maintain long-term protection from a virus and reduce a patient’s risk of severe disease and hospitalization.
After receiving any vaccination, a person’s immunity can diminish over time. For example, rebuilding our immunity is the reason why we need a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) booster every 10 years.
Additionally, in patients whose immune systems might be weaker or compromised due to any number of reasons (i.e. steroid medications, cancer, and other diseases that cause immune deficiency), vaccinations aren’t always as effective. Immunocompromised patients’ immune systems cannot generate as many antibodies as an individual of average health with an average immune system.

Who Is Eligible for a COVID-19 Booster Shot?

At this time, booster shots are not recommended for everyone. Eligibility depends on your age, medical history, living situation, and potential exposure risk.
You might consider scheduling an appointment for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if you fall into the following categories:
  • You received your second dose of either the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago.
  • You are 65 years of age or older.
  • You are 18 years of age or older and live in a long-term care facility.
  • You are 18 years of age or older and have a qualifying underlying medical condition.
  • You are 18 years of age or older and are at an increased risk of exposure and transmission as a result of your occupation (healthcare workers, essential workers, etc.)
At this time, booster shots have only been approved for Moderna and Pfizer BioNTech and have not yet been approved for the Johnson & Johnson vaccination or any other COVID-19 vaccine.
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Should I Get a COVID-19 Booster Shot?

At this time, the CDC recommends a booster shot for individuals in the above-listed categories. Of course, the decision to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination is a personal choice that should be based on your individual risk and medical history and a decision that should be made in conjunction with your doctor.
If you’d like to speak with a doctor about your eligibility for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and your potential disease risk, we welcome you to contact Gulf Coast Health Center to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

What You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Delta Variant

COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations are, unfortunately, on the rise again.

What You Need to Know About the COVID-19 Delta Variant

COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations are, unfortunately, on the rise again.
The much-more contagious delta variant of COVID-19 is estimated to be about 60% more contagious than the alpha variant which was twice as contagious as the original novel coronavirus.
Additionally, studies have shown that antibodies in the vaccinated are about four times less effective at combating the delta variant, making breakthrough infections more likely.
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How Concerned Should Fully Vaccinated People Be About the Delta Variant?

According to information from Mayo Clinic, however, breakthrough cases should not all be lumped together because they’re not all the same.
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They separate them into three categories:
  • The first group of breakthrough infections includes fully vaccinated people who contract COVID-19 and have no symptoms. As the article explains, these types of infections are a sign of the vaccines working. because they weren't necessarily supposed to prevent 100% of infection; they're intended to prevent severe illness and hospitalization.
  • The second group includes individuals who contract COVID and develop mild to moderate symtpoms. Since all of the COVID vaccines were expected to be about 90% effective, we should expect to see about 10% of people contract COVID and have symptoms.
  • The third group of breakthrough infections includes fully vaccinated people who become severely ill, and the majority of these cases are, as one would predict, in individuals who are immunocompromised. These individuals' immune systems could not generate as strong of a response to vaccination as those with normally functioning immune systems. As a result, the protection they gain from vaccination isn't as strong or long-lasting.
Despite breakthrough cases, vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19, serious illness, and hospitalization.

Do Vaccinated People Need to Wear a Mask and Social Distance?

Continuing to wear a mask and social distance will still protect you from contracting a breakthrough case of COVID-19. Additionally, it will help prevent you from unknowingly spreading an asymptomatic infection that you could potentially have to anyone near you who is vaccinated or unvaccinated.
So, although you are at a lower risk of developing a serious illness, wearing a mask and social distancing continues to protect those around you.
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Ask a Doctor About COVID, Get Vaccinated, or Schedule a COVID Test

To learn more about the COVID-19 delta variant, to get a vaccine, or to find out how to get tested for COVID-19 if you’ve been having symptoms, we encourage you to contact the Gulf Coast Health Center location nearest you today.

Turning to Alcohol Use During COVID-19: Why It’s Harmful to the Body and Mind

Unwinding with a glass of wine or a beer might seem like an easy way to cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it might be doing you more harm than good. If you’ve been using alcohol to dampen the pandemic’s emotional weight, we recommend talking with a doctor or counselor and finding alternative ways to de-stress.

Turning to Alcohol Use During COVID-19: Why It's Harmful to the Body and Mind

With the lockdowns and quarantines that began in early 2020, a deluge of jokes appeared online about afternoon drinking and mixing “quarantinis.” However, these jokes and new drink recipes weren’t kidding.
People actually did significantly increase alcohol consumption. At the beginning of the Stop the Spread campaign in the U.S., alcohol sales skyrocketed. According to Nielsen, national alcohol sales increased 54% during the week that ended on March 20, 2020, and online alcohol sales were up 262% compared to 2019.
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What's So Bad About Alcohol Consumption?

Although unwinding with a glass of wine or a beer might seem like a simple way to cope with the unprecedented stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, it might actually be doing you more harm than good. Turning to alcohol to ease one’s worries can actually exacerbate feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Additionally, consuming too much alcohol on a consistent basis increases a variety of health risks such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, obesity, cancer, depression, suicide, and alcohol-related accidents. It can also lead to dangerous interactions with prescription medications and hinder a person’s overall brain function.
If that’s not enough to melt the ice in your margarita, alcohol consumption can also compromise your immune system, putting you at an increased risk of becoming seriously ill if you contract COVID-19 or any other contagious disease.

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

Everyone’s threshold varies depending on sex, weight, and unique metabolic factors. Federal health guidelines define moderate alcohol consumption as one drink per day for women and one or two drinks a day for men. These guidelines define heavy consumption or binge drinking as consuming five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women within a two-hour period.

Coping During a Pandemic

If you’ve been using alcohol to dampen the pandemic’s emotional weight, we recommend talking with a doctor or counselor and looking for other ways to de-stress. Cook yourself healthy meals and consider adding a daily walk, meditation, or alcohol-free living room dance party to your daily routine. Making a point to stay connected with the people you care about can help, too.

Counseling Services with Gulf Coast Health Center

You don’t have to struggle on your own. If you’re feeling lonely, stressed, or depressed and find yourself turning to alcohol for comfort, please reach out. We offer a variety of counseling services that can help you navigate the challenges of living during a pandemic. To learn more about counseling, telemedicine services, or to schedule an appointment, contact Gulf Coast Health Center.

Reasons You Need to Get a Flu Shot (This Year More Than Ever Before)

What does COVID-19 have to do with a vaccine designed to prevent a completely different virus? Read on to learn why it’s essential to get your flu vaccine now.

Reasons You Need to Get a Flu Shot (This Year More Than Ever Before)

Every year, doctors encourage their patients to protect themselves from the influenza virus with an annual flu vaccine. However, getting vaccinated for influenza is more important than ever before because, this year, the 2020-2021 flu season coincides with the novel coronavirus pandemic. So, what does COVID-19 have to do with a vaccine designed to prevent a completely different virus?
Read on to learn why it’s essential to get your flu vaccine now.
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Top 5 Reasons to Get a Flu Vaccine in 2020

1. Overlapping Symptoms

COVID-19 and influenza share many similar symptoms. People who develop a fever, cough, congestion, or body aches might have to self-quarantine for several days to protect others from potentially contracting coronavirus. It goes without saying but quarantining can seriously interrupt work, school, and other regular commitments. By protecting yourself from influenza, you’ll prevent the need to self-quarantine due to influenza symptoms that could be mistaken for signs of COVID-19.

2. Strained Healthcare Resources

We vaccinate against influenza because it has the potential to make people seriously ill – ill to the point of requiring hospitalization. In the midst of the pandemic with hospitalization numbers growing, healthcare systems in the United States all already strained under tremendous, unprecedented pressure. Flu vaccinations will prevent a major influenza season from compounding the current strain on healthcare workers, hospital beds, and other medical resources.

3. Vaccination Is Safe and Effective

Despite the rumors, you cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine. While vaccination has some normal reactions like a mild fever, adverse reactions are rarely serious and mild reactions clear up after a day or two. Before getting any vaccination, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any past reactions or allergies you have had to vaccinations or medications.

4. Less-Severe Illness

Each year, researchers do their best to predict which strains of influenza will be the most prevalent and serious in the upcoming flu season, and they develop their vaccines based on these projections. Whether this year’s influenza vaccine protects against the specific strain that’s spreading in our community or not, vaccination will still protect you from influenza by minimizing the severity of symptoms and duration of illness should you contract a different strain of influenza.

5. Future Protection

Influenza vaccines also offer compounding protection from flu that recipients benefit from for years to come.

Get a Flu Shot at Gulf Coast Health Center

If you have yet to get your flu shot this year, now’s the perfect time to schedule an appointment to safeguard your health and support our local healthcare workers. Contact Gulf Coast Health Center to schedule your flu shot or to find a clinic or pharmacy providing flu shots near you.

It’s Safe to Donate Blood – And It’s Needed Now More Than Ever!

Although we’re all living through a time of global change, one thing has remained the same: the demand for blood donations.

It's Safe to Donate Blood – And It's Needed Now More Than Ever!

Although we’re all living through a time of global change, one thing has remained the same: the demand for blood donations. Unlike non-perishable items you can simply stock up on and use as needed, fresh blood donations are constantly in use and in demand in a variety of essential, life-saving treatments. Due to the dangers of the pandemic and related regional closures, blood drives have been canceled and individual blood donation appointments have understandably dropped off, putting many communities across the United States at risk of facing critical shortages.

Why Your Blood Donation Is Needed Now More Than Ever

In spite of the pandemic putting parts of our daily lives on pause, the need for blood donations has remained the same. Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires platelets or blood. Life-saving transplant surgeries are still happening, traumatic injuries occur every day, babies continue to be born, cancer patients still need supportive care, and individuals with immune deficiencies continue to depend on blood transfusions.
With the reduced number of blood donations, the demand for donor blood is at risk of outweighing the supply, which could put countless lives at risk. The blood supply has grown so small that companies like Amazon have even responded with promotions to spur donations across the country.

COVID-19 and the Need for Donated Plasma

Adding to the demand for blood donations, some COVID-19 patients are being treated with experimental infusions that use convalescent plasma from blood donors who have already recovered from COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 do not typically require treatment with blood transfusions Convalescent plasma, however, contains antibodies that have shown promising results when used to treat patients who are currently suffering.
If you are 17 years or older, have recovered from COVID-19, and are interested in donating, you can find additional information or sign up to give COVID-19 convalescent plasma on the American Red Cross website.

Yes, It's Safe to Donate Blood During the Pandemic

We are all taking precautions to keep ourselves safe from contracting novel coronavirus, but it’s safe to donate blood. Clinics and donation centers have always prioritized sanitization, but they are taking special precautions to keep their valuable donors safe during the pandemic. In addition to increasing cleaning procedures and wearing masks at all times, they’ve also taken steps to social distance donors and limit the number of donors in the clinics at the same time.

Be a Hero: Find Out If You're Eligible and Sign Up to Donate

To register as a blood donor, you must meet eligibility requirements which include age and weight restrictions in addition to being generally healthy. Next, find a blood drive or donation center near you!
To learn more or find out if you’re eligible to be a donor, we welcome you to contact a Gulf Coast Health Center location near you.

Simple Reasons Why Wearing a Mask Works

Despite the mixed messages, we should all wear masks because they have been scientifically shown to help slow the spread of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19.

Simple Reasons Why Wearing a Mask Works

For Americans who don’t work in healthcare, wearing a mask is a relatively new concept. Since the early days of the pandemic, there has been quite a bit of confusion about whether masks are effective. Despite the mixed messaging, we should all wear masks because they have been scientifically shown to help slow the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19.
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How Respiratory Disease Spreads

When a person sneezes, coughs, sings, shouts, or talks at a normal volume, they expel and project droplets of moisture from their mouths and noses. (Check out this high-speed video experiment to see it in action.) If a person is infected with coronavirus (or any type of respiratory virus), they’ll expel the virus along with the droplets. If anyone inhales those particles or gets them in their eyes, then they could catch the virus, too.

Why Masks Work

Like putting a shield over your mouth and nose, masks help block the aspirated droplets of virus that could be projected from our mouths and noses. Think of the difference between driving a car with or without a windshield. Similar to the way your car’s windshield catches all the bugs before they splat onto your face, a mask blocks droplets of saliva and mucus before they splat onto anyone else’s face.

Do Masks Protect the Person Wearing Them?

When wearing a mask, you’ll lower your risk of potentially inhaling virus particles, but you could still be exposed to viruses through the membranes in your eyes. To create a low-risk environment for everyone, it’s important for us all to wear masks.

Wear a Mask to Help Slow the Spread and Reduce the Risk of COVID-19

Since people with COVID-19 don’t always have symptoms, it’s not obvious who’s sick and should actually be wearing a mask to protect the people around them. As a result, masks most effectively slow the spread of coronavirus when more people wear them – even those who have no signs of illness – because symptomatic or asymptomatic anyone could potentially be spreading the disease.
Wearing masks works best when more people do it, and there’s plenty of scientific research that demonstrates this point. One study showed that mask mandates slowed the growth rates of COVID-19. Another found that populations with existing societal norms of wearing masks had lower COVID-19 mortality rates.
However you look at it, it’s clear that populations that wear masks slow the spread of respiratory viruses. Our healthcare professionals at Gulf Coast Health Center strongly urge you to adopt the practice of wearing a mask. To learn more about slowing the spread of COVID-19 and the most effective types of face coverings, we welcome you to contact your healthcare provider today.

Healthy Habits to Protect Yourself from COVID-19

With a healthy mind and body and smart sanitary practices, you can keep yourself and your family safe and healthy. Take these precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Healthy Habits to Protect Yourself from COVID-19

When novel coronavirus is spreading like wildfire through Texas, take precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19. Practicing healthy habits and keeping your body strong will help keep you safe during the pandemic. With a healthy mind and body and smart sanitary practices, you can keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.

Bolster Your Immune System Against COVID-19

To boost your immune system, eat a well-rounded diet of highly nutritious foods. Try to fill each of your meals and snacks with lean proteins and fruits and vegetables in every color of the rainbow. In addition, it’s important to get enough quality sleep because the efficacy of your body’s immune response depends on a well-rested body.

Get a Healthy Mind, Healthy Body During the Pandemic

Weight, fitness, and cardiovascular health are major factors that determine the severity of COVID-19 in different individuals. Getting your body into shape with aerobic exercise is a great way to manage weight, increase lung capacity, and strengthen your lungs and heart. Plus, exercise releases feel-good endorphins that’ll help you stay happy and reduce the excess stress brought on by living through such a difficult time.
Respiratory health is essential for fighting off COVID-19. If you’re a smoker, quit now to reduce your risk of severe illness.

Limit Your Exposure to the Novel Coronavirus by Practicing Social Distancing

Remember that, when it comes to COVID-19, not everyone who’s contagious has symptoms. So, it’s important to practice social or physical distancing. Before deciding whether it’s safe to attend a group gathering or to spend time indoors with people outside of your family, assess the potential risk of the event or gathering you’re considering attending.
If you must be around other people, protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 by wearing a mask and staying at least six feet apart from others at all times. Limit your exposure to potentially infected people by practicing the social distancing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Use Smart Sanitary Practices to Keep Your Body and Your Environment Germ-Free

Don’t touch your face. Wash your hands after going anywhere public, before preparing food, before eating, after interacting with animals, and after using the restroom. If you don’t have access to a sink, use a safe hand sanitizer to disinfect your hands until soap and water are available. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant to sanitize your home and work environment, focusing on high-traffic and high-touch areas.

Learn More about Novel Coronavirus, Testing, and What You Can Do to Stay Safe

To learn more about COVID-19, testing centers near you, and keep your body strong and healthy, we welcome you to contact a Gulf Coast Health Center location near you.

Why Telehealth Has Become More Important Than Ever Before

During the COVID-19 crisis, telemedicine has become the champion of ongoing wellness care and chronic disease management because it allows patients, especially those who are considered to be high risk, to access medical care and keep in touch with their doctors without risking exposure to the novel coronavirus.

Why Telehealth Has Become More Important Than Ever Before

Telemedicine, the practice of seeing and treating patients via electronic means, has always provided a convenient option for healthcare providers and patients to come together. Emails, over-the-phone appointments, and video conference calls have helped patients access regular medical care and reduce gaps in their healthcare. Whether a patient is homebound, lives far away from the doctor, or faces issues with finding reliable transportation, telemedicine offers a simple solution. Telemedicine also helps patients seek expert care – without travel – when nearby medical specialists are limited.
So yes, telemedicine has always been a powerful tool in the modern medical professional’s doctor bag, but until now it has been underutilized.

Why Is Telemedicine More Important Now Than Ever?

During the COVID-19 crisis, telemedicine has become the champion of ongoing wellness care and chronic disease management because it allows patients, especially those who are considered to be high risk, to access medical care and keep in touch with their doctors without risking exposure to the novel coronavirus. During this worldwide healthcare crisis, social distancing to limit exposing yourself or potentially exposing others to illness, has become essential to public safety.
In spite of the importance of social distancing and preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus, it’s still extremely important to keep up with regular healthcare. You should not delay your wellness examinations, follow-up appointments, or appointments aimed at managing a chronic illness. While it’s important to stop the spread of coronavirus, it’s equally important that you maintain your personal health and wellbeing.
With the capabilities of telehealth, patients can do both! Telemedicine allows patients to schedule follow-up appointments with their doctors, get prescriptions renewed, and seek medical advice – all from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Experience the Convenience of Telehealth and Remote Medical Care with Gulf Coast Health Center

In addition to telehealth and telemedicine services, Gulf Coast Health Center provides patients the convenience of prescription refills through an easy-to-use mobile application and access to their health charts and records via our secure online patient portal.
Whether you’re an existing patient or are new to Gulf Coast Health Center, we welcome you to schedule an online telehealth appointment with one of our providers. To safely access expert medical care from anywhere, all you need is an internet connection and a computer or mobile phone equipped with both a camera and a microphone.
To learn more about telehealth with Gulf Coast Health Center or scheduling an in-person appointment during the novel coronavirus pandemic, we encourage you to call the location nearest you today.

Coronavirus and Your Mental Wellbeing

The whole world is experiencing fears, worries, and changes to normal daily life that are unprecedented in our lifetimes. Not only are we having new anxieties, but many of us are unable to cope with the stress in the same ways we normally would, primarily by getting out of the house and spending time with loved ones.

Coronavirus and Your Mental Wellbeing

The current pandemic has placed an excessive strain on our mental wellbeing. The whole world is experiencing fears, worries, and changes to normal daily life that are unprecedented in our lifetimes. Not only are we having new anxieties, but many of us are unable to cope with the stress in the same ways we normally would, primarily by getting out of the house and spending time with loved ones. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, unable to complete tasks, increasingly irritable, lonely, or crying easily, consider the following advice from our behavioral health team to calm your anxiety.

Ways to Cope with the Stress During the Pandemic

Accept

It’s okay to acknowledge and accept the fact that the current situation is stressful. It’s okay to feel anxious. Don’t get frustrated with yourself if you have these feelings. Instead, focus on controlling what you can in your life. Concentrate on maintaining your routines, exercise, personal hygiene, and nutrition.

Act

Fill your time with positive, calming activities. Create a routine with things like meditation, walking, reading, gardening, and making art. Use this time to try a new hobby or to learn something new.

Connect

We’re fortunate to have modern technology that makes it easier than ever to stay connected even when we can’t travel or mix households. Schedule a time to video chat with your friends or family. Or get away from screens altogether to play with your children and pets.

Take a Break

Although it’s good to stay informed, it’s also smart to take a break from the news. Watching endlessly or even just letting news channels play in the background of your day to day life can induce additional stress. Try to limit your time with the news and only listen to reports from trusted, reputable sources.

Practice Gratitude

No matter how stressful a situation might be, we can always find reasons to be grateful. Focusing on the things you appreciate in your life (family, friends, health, shelter, food, pets, or the cool breeze coming off the ocean) has the power to calm. Set aside time to write a gratitude list and read it whenever you feel down.

Reach Out

Pay attention to your own behavior, feelings, and thoughts to identify warning signs of trauma, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Contact behavioral health services at Gulf Coast Health Center, if you are feeling angry, irritable, or isolated, if you have trouble sleeping, suffer nightmares, can’t stay focused, or can’t stop crying. Remember that you are not alone. We are here for you, and we can help.