Doctor Column

Caregiving: The Bitter and the Sweet May 15, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Margo is a 52 year old housewife, lives in a two story brick house with an unfinished basement. She has two sisters who live nearby, yet, when her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer, Margo became the sole 24/7 caregiver for her mom who lived by herself. What to Do If You Suspect You’re Sick from COVID-19? May 5, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Americans have been bombarded with information about COVID-19. There have been mixed messages as to what you should do to protect yourself from getting it and how you should behave to prevent transmitting the disease to others. Hospital ‘Guidelines’ for Visiting Patients April 25, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD There are certain guidelines that are helpful when visiting patients in the hospital. It doesn’t take much effort to be considerate and it can go a long way in making patients feel better. On top of everything, it just might hasten their recovery. Has COVID-19 Been a Tipping Point for Telemedicine? An Unintended Consequence? April 15, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Telemedicine is the special use of audio or video telecommunication systems to diagnose and treat medical conditions of patients ‘virtually’ — without the physical presence of a physician or health care worker. Patients are treated remotely without the need to visit their doctor’s office or rush to the emergency department of the hospital or urgent care centers. Five Congressmen: “Self-Quarantine.” What Might They Be Doing at Home? April 5, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Five members of Congress announced they have self-quarantine themselves after having contact with a person who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease-19 [COVID-19] at a Conservative Political Action Conference in late February of this year. What might they be doing and what must you do to self-quarantine? How is COVID-19 Different from Allergies, the Common Cold and the Flu? “When Should I Call the Doctor?” March 25, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Some questions people ask about COVID-19 are: What are the symptoms? How does it spread? Should I be tested for this coronavirus? How is it treated? Sore Throat: “When Should You See the Doctor?” March 25, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Sore throats are most commonly caused by viruses. However, about one third of the time they’re due to bacteria, especially Group A Streptococcus. Group A streptococci are found in the nose and throat and easily spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing or touching something with infected droplets on it. Dr. Li Wenliang and COVID-19: “The Chinese Hero Who Told the Truth” March 15, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Physicians in different specialties frequently participate in morbidity and mortality conferences. At these conferences, the medical records of patients are presented, diseases discussed, procedures reviewed, complications noted and medical and surgical outcomes evaluated. CDC Warns of Inevitable Coronavirus Outbreak in the U. S. March 5, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) was first identified in the city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, China in December 2019. People over the age of 60 and those with significant medical conditions are more prone to have severe reactions. This virus is not slowing down! Vaccinations Are Not Just for Kids. They’re Crucial to Your Health and Public Safety February 25, 2020 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD You may think vaccinations are just for kids. Not so. Your need for vaccinations continues as you get older. For instance, you benefit by getting vaccinated against influenza annually during the fall or winter seasons. Moreover, you can benefit from newer vaccines which were not available when you were a youngster.