Today's Feature

Flu Clinics.

News release.

For Jasper County residents, residing outside the city limits of Joplin, the Jasper County Health Department will be offering flu and pneumonia vaccinations, by appointment only, on November 22, 2004 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The health department will begin taking appointments on November 18.

The pneumonia vaccine will be reserved for those persons 65 years of age or older. Flu vaccinations will only be given to those persons who met the following high-risk categories: Adults ages 65 years or older, persons with chronic disorder of the pulmonary or cardiovascular system, diabetes or a chronic disease of the blood, kidneys or immune system (including HIV) that has required medical follow-up or hospitalization in the preceding year, women who are pregnant during the influenza season, residents of nursing homes or other chronic-care facilities, health care workers with direct patient care, household contacts and out-of-home caretakers of infants ages 0 through 5 months. Those persons under age of 65 are required to bring a doctor’s note stating a medical diagnosis of their risk factor. Those on Medicare or Medicaid should bring the appropriate card to the immunization appointment. The cost of the flu vaccine is $12.00 and pneumonia vaccine is $25.00.

Because young children also are at increased risk of influenza-related complications, vaccination of children 6 to 23 months old is recommended. Also those children with chronic disease or receiving long term aspirin therapy should be vaccinated as well. The Jasper County Health Department will offer flu vaccination to those children who meet the VFC (Vaccines for Children) qualifications. Those interested in flu vaccination for their children are advised to call the health department for more information.

The Jasper County Health Department will be providing immunizations at their facility at 105 Lincoln Street, Carthage. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact the Jasper County Health Department (417) 358-3111 or 877-879-9131.

A friend a mine came ta school one day with a bandage on his thumb, at least what was left of it.

Seems he was in a fishin’ accident of sorts. His method of fishin’ was ta tie a rock to a string, then tie an M-80 to the other end. That was back when M-80’s still had some powerful kick for what was called a firecracker. ‘Course when ever’thing went right, this illegal technique did produce a good batch a fish floatin’ to the top of the creek. In what I am guessin’ was his last attempt to fill his bucket, the string got wrapped around his thumb and as he tossed the rock, it snugged the M-80 right against his thumbnail. ‘Course he lost the nail in the explosion along with the better part of any meat above the first knuckle. I’ve heard lots a fish stories, but this is the only one about the thumb that got away.

This si some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

McCune- Brooks Hospital

To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a basketball player, and I have asked my coach if I could bring my own sports drinks to practice and games rather than drink water. I read that they can give you more energy. The coach looked at me as if I were crazy, but said he would allow it if you said it was OK. Do you? — J.J.

ANSWER: It’s OK.

Don’t drink anything that contains more than 8 percent carbohydrate, since higher concentrations delay stomach emptying.

Carbohydrates in sports drinks can provide a source of energy. That’s been proven. Go for it.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have three boys. All play football. The oldest boy lost a tooth last year while playing, and my dentist read me the riot act for not saving his tooth. I was there when it happened. His two brothers are playing this year. What am I supposed to do if it happens again? — R.C.

ANSWER: Rinse the knocked-out tooth in clear water. Don’t scrub it. It has ligaments clinging to it, and those ligaments can help re-establish its mooring in the tooth socket.

Try to put the tooth back in its socket. If it goes in easily, have your patient bite on a gauze pad until he sees the dentist.