Costco Connection - April 2011

In conclusion, when traveling or thrift-shopping, change your practices and be very diligent in bedbug detection. If they somehow do get into your home, seek professional extermination help. Also, check out the website www.bedbugregistry.com to see if a hotel has ever had a bedbug issue.

continued FRoM page 41

Q: What are effective methods to prevent urinary tract infections?

A: Cranberry juice and cranberry tablets may decrease the number of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women who develop recurrent UTIs. (Recurring UTIs are defined as two or more symptomatic infections within a 12-month period that are subsequently cured with antibiotics.)

Daily low-dose antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider also help to prevent UTIs. Antibiotics taken after sexual activity (within two hours) are also preventive. Use of a probiotic (such as lactobacillus) is presently being studied, but may also have a role in preventing UTIs.

Other suggestions that may help prevent UTIs, although there is no good scientific data, are urinating after intercourse, drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and, for postmenopausal women, the use of topical vaginal estrogen.

Finally, it is always a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider to make sure no underlying medical issue is causing the recurrent UTIs.

Q: Who should get the “shingles vaccine”? A: Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a case of chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells. It then can reactivate years later and cause shingles. Shingles is most common in people 50 and older, but can develop at any age.

Shingles usually manifests itself as a rash or blisters on the skin. It can be excruciatingly painful. One of the major concerns with shingles is the complication called postherpetic neuralgia, a debilitating pain over the rash site that can last months or even years. Shingles can recur in about 1 to 5 percent of patients.

In 2006 the Food and Drug Administration approved a new shingles vaccine called Zostavax. The Centers for Disease Control recommends anyone age 60 or older should receive the vaccine, even if they’ve had shingles in the past. C

In private practice for 13 years, Costco member Dr. Phyllis Ritchie (http://drphyllisritchie. com) is a Board Certified Infectious Disease specialist whose medical interests include sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, resistant staph infections, orthopedic-related infections and travel medicine. She also writes a medical column for The Oregonian and OregonLive.com.

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