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Dear Dr. Roach, I am a 74 year old woman who would like to volunteer in one of the local hospitals. My blood tests indicated that I am immunized against measles, German measles and chickenpox, but not against mumps. My personal physician thinks that it would be wise to receive the MMR vaccine and that the benefits outweigh the possible side effects, which are rare.
What is your advice, since I can choose not to receive this vaccine with a doctor? I am very hesitant about the possible side effects, particularly at my age, and since there is not a single mumps vaccine, I would be injected with vaccines that I do not need. I also did not hear about the mumps epidemic in this country, unlike that of whooping cough.
M.M.
People born before 1957 are generally considered immunized against measles, mumps and rubella.
However, 1-2% of people may still not be immunized against mumps, either by progressively losing immunity to natural infections or by never having been exposed.
For a health worker (who includes the very valuable volunteers who badist in many hospitals), it is reasonable to consider revaccination. There is no clear rule for anyone in your unusual situation.
Unfortunately, there have been recent outbreaks of mumps, often badociated with colleges. In the United States, in 2018, more than 2,000 cases of mumps were reported. My opinion is that you should either receive the MMR vaccine (the risks for a 70 year old are still low), or be absent from the hospital in the unlikely event of an outbreak of mumps near at your house.
Dear Dr. Roach, I have not seen any comment on cyanoacrylate for the treatment of wounds in your column. My wife recently cut her finger and it took a long time to coagulate (she is healthy and fit, she is in good health and is 70 years old, traveling 1,500 miles a year). This situation led to the thought of cyanoacrylate at a recent sale of single-use tubes in a local store.
Are there any disadvantages to keeping in our first aid kit to seal a deeper cup after cleaning?
L.V.L.
Cyanoacrylate is used in hospitals for closing wounds (Dermabond is the name of one of these prescription drugs) because they are waterproof, have antimicrobial properties and are easy to use – for experts.
Cyanoacrylate is not suitable for home use or in the field, as the wound must be of appropriate size, depth and shape, properly prepared and very clean. Closing an infected wound is a terrible idea, and trying to stick a wound that is too deep will probably not be effective. Lori Boyle, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Wound Care Expert, who I spoke to, said, "The only time this should be done is after the zombie apocalypse and no health care provider has." Is available. "
A consumer product that I think is more suitable for a first aid kit is an antiseptic liquid formulation dressing, benzethonium chloride, in a formulation of nitrocellulose and castor oil, which dries for protect the wound name).
Dr. Roach regretted that he could not reply to individual letters, but would incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers can send questions via email to [email protected].
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