Tuesday, January 16, 2018

"Cold and influenza season is underway – and it’s nothing to ‘shake off’" Military Health System in Washington D.C. United States

"Cold and influenza season is underway – and it’s nothing to ‘shake off’" Military Health System in Washington D.C. United States
Cold and influenza season is underway – and it’s nothing to ‘shake off’
Cold and flu season usually runs from October to March, and peaks between December and February. Young children, adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions have a higher risk for complications. Military Health System experts encourage everyone to take steps to prevent these viral illnesses from spreading. (U.S. Army photo by photo by Rachel Larue) by: Military Health System Communications Office

The holiday season is a wrap, but cold and influenza season is well underway. These viral illnesses can be picked up anywhere, anytime. Military Health System experts work hard to help prevent them – especially during the critical winter months.
“The flu is really nothing to shake off,” said Lia Anderson, a clinical nurse specialist at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in northern Virginia. Flu season typically runs from October to March in North America, and peaks between December and February. In other words, now. “The infection can be severe and, if you are compromised in any way, it has the potential for being life threatening,” she said.
Cold and flu, while sometimes used interchangeably, are respiratory illnesses caused by two different viruses, said Anderson.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a cold can cause a stuffy or runny nose, cough, scratchy throat, and watery eyes. Over-the-counter medications can help alleviate symptoms, but colds generally run their course without severe complications.
The flu can also cause a runny or stuffy nose and cough; however, flu symptoms tend to be more intense. According to the CDC, most people with the flu will recover within several days or less than two weeks, but some can develop complications. Young children, adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions have a higher risk for complications.
Lt. Cdr. Jaime Vega, the Navy Bureau of Medicine’s public health officer, said that waking up with sudden-onset fever, fatigue, chills, muscle pain, joint pain, and body aches can be an indication that you’re facing more than just a cold. It could be influenza. He recommends seeing a physician if these symptoms continue for more than 24 to 48 hours.
“If you have a fever that won’t go down with regular use of over-the-counter medication after about two days, I’d say that’s probably a pretty good indicator to be seen by a provider,” said Vega. If the flu is diagnosed early enough, certain medications can help shorten its course, he added.
Practicing good health habits, such as washing hands frequently and getting plenty of sleep, can help all ages stay strong and healthy throughout the season, said Vega. Eating a balanced diet, reducing stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising daily builds strong immune systems. He stressed that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu vaccine.
“It’s never too late to get vaccinated for seasonal flu,” said Vega, noting that it takes a full two weeks for your body to develop its own immunity to influenza from the vaccine. The CDC recommends anyone six months and older get vaccinated.
Exceptions to vaccination include those with allergies to vaccine ingredients, patients undergoing chemotherapy, and children younger than six months. Anderson recommends staying home when sick, avoiding contact with someone who is ill, and disinfecting surfaces to decrease the spread of seasonal illnesses.
“We’re into our [peak] season, so we’re going to see a lot more flu activity coming up,” said Anderson. “You spread it to one person who spreads it to two people who spreads it to four people. Getting vaccinated is not about the individual, it’s about the community.”
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"NCA Updates Memorialization Products" VA National Cemetery Administration in Washington, D.C., United States - Memorial Products Updates

NCA Updates Memorialization Products
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) values its partnership with you as we seek to honor the service of Veterans and their families with VA memorial benefits. We could not accomplish this task without your strong support. For that reason, we are sending you this message so that you can help us inform Veteran families of updated application and eligibility information for Government-furnished headstones, markers, or medallions for placement in private or local Government cemeteries.
Today, VA published a revised VA Form 40-1330, Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker and VA Form 40-1330M, Claim for a Government Medallion for Placement in a Private Cemetery. Both forms are now available on VA’s website at www.va.gov/forms. All other versions of the VA Form 40-1330 are obsolete. Please ensure the most current version dated December 2017 is submitted. For your convenience, we have included a direct link to both claim forms: 
Why Did We Change Our Forms?
The revision of the forms are primarily a result of two recent changes in the law:
Headstones and Markers
Under 38 CFR 38.600(a)(1) only the following individuals may apply for a burial headstone or marker:
1) a decedent’s family member;
2) a personal representative;
3) a representative of a Congressionally-chartered Veterans Service Organization;
4) an employee of a state or local government whose official responsibilities include serving Veterans;
5) any individual who is responsible, under the laws of a state or locality, for the disposition of unclaimed remains or matters related to the decedent’s interment or memorialization; or
6) any individual, if the dates of service of the Veteran ended prior to April 6, 1917.
Note: For a memorial headstones and markers that commemorate the memory of an eligible individual, the applicant must be a member of the decedent’s family, 38 CFR 38.600(a)(2).
Medallions:
Public Law 114-315 authorizes VA to furnish a Government medallion in lieu of a traditional Government headstone or marker to Veterans who served on or after April 6, 1917, and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.
What Was Changed On The Forms?
1. On the VA Form 40-1330, Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker,we updated the selection box for each eligible claimant (as identified under 38 CFR 38.600(a)(1)).
2. On the VA Form 40-1330M, Claim for a Government Medallion for Placement in a Private Cemetery, we updated our General Information Sheet to reflect that Veterans who served on or after April 6, 1917, and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker are eligible for a Government medallion. Previously, only Veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990 were eligible for the Government medallion.
Additionally, both forms now:
· Ask for demographic information (which is optional) for statistical reporting purposes only,
· Allow claimants to request one or more Presidential Memorial Certificates, and
· Include a fax cover sheet with a checklist for convenience.
Thank you for your understanding regarding this matter. Should you have additional concerns regarding the headstone and marker, and medallion claim forms, please contact us using our Inquiry Routing & Information System https://iris.custhelp.com, so we can track inquiries and respond promptly.
For information on VA burial benefits, visit http://www.cem.va.gov or call (800) 827-1000. Please look for our future e-mails on memorial benefits available for eligible Veterans and spouses. Also, please encourage your friends and colleagues to sign-up for notifications, future e-mail updates and information regarding VA memorial benefits through GovDelivery at
Connect With Us
National Cemetery Administration.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
US Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration
Questions for MHS? 
STAY CONNECTED:
Military Health System
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301, United States
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