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| Updated: 10/15/2012 8:49 am |
Published: 10/15/2012 8:46 am |
Each Sunday we survey doctors at St. Vincent Health Hospitals and Clinics to find out "What's Going Around" so you'll know what to be on the lookout for.
Dr. Thomas Braswell at St. Vincent Medical Clinic in Scott tells us he's seeing people with shingles. Every year around a million people in the US get it.
Anyone who's had chickenpox is at risk. HIV, chemotherapy, radiation, transplants and stress can bring it on.
Symptoms usually include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching on one side of the body or face. Rash or blisters can last for up to 14 days.
There's no cure but anti-viral medications can lessen the severity and length of the attack.
It’s recommended you get a shingles vaccine if you're over 60 even if you've had it before. And if you think you have it now - see your doctor
Vertigo seems to be another problem patients are facing according to Alicia Bell at the St. Vincent Clinic inside Walmart.
Vertigo is a feeling where a person feels the room is spinning. It’s usually caused by an inner ear problem and it's usually found in people 60 and older.
It can also be the result of a skull fracture, concussion, stroke or seizure.
Treatment depends on the cause and your doctor can walk you through some things you can do to lessen the affects of vertigo without medication.
Also in the Walmart Clinic Alicia Bell says she's seeing cases of thrush. That's where a yeast infection develops in the lining of the mouth an tongue.
When the immune system becomes weak - the fungus can grow.
People in poor health, the very old or very young, people with HIV or aids - or on chemotherapy are at a great risk for this - as well as many others.
If you think you have it see your doctor
