Health Messenger Fall 2006

The flu season is fast approaching in the United States. It typically runs from December through March. Flu is caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat and lungs). Unlike the common cold, which is also a respiratory infection, the flu can cause severe and potentially life-threatening complications.

The flu virus is primarily spread from person to person in the droplets from coughs and sneezes, but the viruses can also live on surfaces such as doorknobs, telephone receivers, etc. The period of time after exposure until symptoms surface is two to four days. The time period when the infected person is contagious depends on the person’s age. Adults are usually contagious from one day before becoming sick to three to seven days after symptoms begin. Some children may be contagious for longer than a week.

The most common symptoms include fever, body/muscle aches, sore throat, extreme fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, dry cough and headache.

Because flu viruses change from year to year, you can get the flu more than one time in the your life. A vaccine made to prevent one year’s flu virus may not protect against the next year’s virus. Additionally, even if the strain of virus remains the same, immunity to the flu virus decreases over time and can potentially be too low to provide adequate protection after just one year.

The best way to prevent or lessen the effects of the flu is by getting a flu shot. You should check with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for a flu shot. The best time to get a flu shot is in October or November, but you can still get a flu shot in December or later.

Whether you are a candidate for the flu vaccine or not, it is a very good idea to take precautions that will help prevent or at least minimize the severity of the flu.

Following is a list of those measures.
Frequent hand washing – Use warm soapy water. Do not use “bar” soap if possible. If you cannot wash frequently, use the anti-microbial hand cleansing solution that does not require water. You can keep it in your work area, in your car or anywhere that washing is not available.

Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth, because germs are often spread this way.

Avoid crowds – This is a busy time of the year, but whenever possible, try to avoid crowds—especially if you are rundown or not feeling up to par. If you get the flu, stay home to prevent others from becoming sick, too.

Get plenty of rest – Be good to yourself, take time out of your busy schedule to rest and relax, and try to get a full night’s sleep.

Maintain a proper diet – Don’t depend on “snacks” to carry you through. Eat a well-balanced diet.

Think of others – Remember to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

If you have a fever, cough or sore throat, you should seek medical attention as appropriate . Please remember that the Nurse Helpline is available

24 hours a day, 7 days a week for assistance with any questions or concerns you may have. The toll-free Nurse Helpline number is (800) 336-2121.

What is Tablet Splitting?

New Providers

Tablet Splitting is the practice of splitting a tablet in half. Physicians have utilized this practice for many years, especially for patients without drug coverage. It is a way for patients to achieve a dosage of medication not commercially available, make medication easier to swallow and potentially save money on prescription drug costs.

Is Tablet Splitting Safe?

Tablet Splitting is safe when used with appropriate medications and with the approval of your physician or pharmacist. Some medications are not safe to split. Extended or delayed release tablets are designed to release medication over an extended period of time and should NOT be split. Splitting these types of medications would cause the entire dosage to be released at once, which could result in dangerous side effects. Enteric-coated medications provide a protective barrier around the medication to keep it from dissolving in the stomach and should NOT be split. Splitting enteric-coated tablets would disrupt the protective barrier, which may cause irritation to the stomach or break down the medication before it is absorbed and decrease the desired effect.

Just like all medications are not safe to split, not all people are candidates for tablet splitting. People who have trouble with their vision, using their hands or problems with their memory may not be able to split the tablets accurately, which could compromise their care.

How does Tablet Splitting Save Money?

For tablet-splitting to save money, all strengths of a medication must be similarly priced. For example, Lipitor 20mg tablets cost the same as Lipitor 40mg tablets. This allows the patient to buy half as many double-strength tablets and split them in half. The patient then has a month’s supply of medication in the same dosage originally prescribed by the physician.

How do I split my Tablets?

A tablet splitter should be used to safely and accurately split tablets that are safe for splitting. Tablet splitters are inexpensive and can be purchased at your local pharmacy.

Tips for Safe Tablet Splitting

Discuss with your physician or pharmacist before splitting any medication

Do not split Enteric Coated Tablets

Do not split Extended or Delayed Release medications (unless scored)

Do not split Capsules

Use a Tablet Splitter to cut your tablets

Split your tablets as needed instead of splitting all at once

For Information on FirstCarolinaCare’s tablet splitting program, "Split the Pill, Split Your Bill", call 1-800-788-2949 or go to www.firstcarolinacare.com and find out if you are eligible to save 50% on your prescription copayment.

Holiday Stress and Holiday Blues
Can be Overwhelming

Holiday stress and Holiday Blues, in addition to existing personal problems, overwhelming for any of us this time of year. Consider contacting your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as a resource to help you cope with the hectic season.

EAP is available to all employees and their families currently covered by FirstCarolinaCare Insurance. EAP provides free, confidential assessment, short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their families and can help with a
variety of personal, family, social, or emotional issues.

For more information on how to handle holiday stress or to learn more about the EAP benefit, contact the EAP office toll-free at (888) 278-4595.

24 On Physicians, PC
Mohammed Z. Hoque, MD,Ayorinde A. Medaiyese, MD

Beacon Healthcare Associates
David A. Clements, MD

Cape Fear Eye Associates, PA
Jarett A. Mazzarella, OD, Sheel B. Patel, MD

Carolina Women's Health Center, PA
Margaret A. Davis, CNM, Jennifer J. Delaney, DO,
Lisa L. Jones, MD, Rita H. Kelly, CNM,Ann R. Poe, NP,
Henry N. Pleasant, MD

Debbie K. Brown, LMFT

DJ Orthopedics, LLC

Hodges Family Practice, Inc.
Mariel Gonzalez-Mendoza, MD

Jonadab S. Franco,LCSW

Karen H. Stone,MSN

Lafayette Clinic, PA
Gwenesta B. Melton, MD, Maria J.Watson, MD

Lynn L. Palin,LCSW

Marlboro OB/GYN
John R. Nobles, MD

Mid Carolina Primary Care, PA
Kim A. Finlay-Tozzi, DO

Montgomery County Primary Care Corporation
Joleen C. Moore, NP, Carolyn M.Wiese, PA

Moore Regional Hospital Professional Services
Erin L. Clark, MD, Julie A.Taub, MD, Ramey L.Wilson, MD, Wlodzimierz M.Wisniewski, MD

Oban Anesthesia Consultants, PLLC
William B. McCutchen, III, DO

Pinehurst Cardiology Consultants
Connie M. Fecik, FNP

Pinehurst Medical Clinic, Inc.
Steven M. Kent, MD, Robert A. Pohlmeyer, MD,
Clyde O. Southwell, MD, Emad Ward, MD

Pinehurst Surgical Clinic, PA
David J. Casey, MD, Kathleen M. Eaton, MD,
John E. Streitman, MD

Psychiatric Clinic of Southern Pines
Dale M. Simpson, MD

Raby Chiropractic Center
Mervin E. Raby, DC

Rex Hospital

Robert W. Patterson, MD, PA
Jill J. Lambert, MD, Lisa M. Long, NP,
Robert W. Patterson, MD,
Beth P. Stanfield, FNP

Sandhills Emergency Physicians, Inc.
Steven B. Collins, PA-C, Chad D. Listrom, MD

Sandhills Pediatrics, Inc.
Karin Y. Kent, MD

Sanford Medical Group, PA
Glenna L. Grider, MD, Jennifer B. Gregory, MD,
Julie A. Jones, MD, John R. Mangum, MD,
Lester D. Nave, MD

Scotland Memorial Hospital
Susan B. Golanski, PA, Kathryn V.Vreeland, PA,
Thomas J.Weber, MD

Southern Pines Women's Health Center, PC
Kendall R. Olvey, MD

Value Medical

Wilmington Treatment Center, Inc.