AIDS Healthcare Foundation gives hundreds of meningitis vaccines

By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times

Reacting to the death of a young West Hollywood lawyer over the weekend and growing concerns about the possible spread of bacterial meningitis, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation gave hundreds of free vaccinations to visitors who showed up Monday at its facilities.

The organization, which initially ordered about 1,000 doses and plans to acquire more, said it would continue providing the shots as needed.

Brett Shaad, 33, contracted meningitis and died several days later after attending a gathering of gay men in Palm Springs.

"We needed to do something," said Karen Haughey, one of the nurses who was administering the shots Monday. "We needed to step up now because we want to prevent an outbreak."

Bacterial meningitis can be transmitted by coughing and kissing, though it is not as contagious as the common cold. The disease is treatable with antibiotics but can be fatal.

Shaad's case is the only one reported recently to L.A. County health authorities and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But public health officials said they were remaining vigilant and watching for more cases and continuing to examine the bacterial meningitis strain contracted by Shaad.

An outbreak of the disease in New York, primarily among gay men, has infected nearly two dozen people and killed seven victims in recent years. Officials do not yet know whether the cases in New York are related to the local one.

On Monday morning, dozens of men lined up outside the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's West Hollywood pharmacy.

Mark Chavez, a landscape architect who lives in West Hollywood, said he decided to get the vaccine after hearing about Shaad's death. Chavez said he feared the disease could spread and things "could get worse."

"You just don't want to take that chance," he said. "Gay or straight, everyone should be aware of it."

Allen Smith, a 21-year-old dance student, said he had a weak immune system and wanted to make sure he was protected against contracting the disease. News of the weekend death, he said, "reminded everyone how short life really is."

Eric Aronson, 41, of West Hollywood, said he was concerned that he could have been exposed to the illness during a recent trip to New York. He heard about the free vaccines over the weekend and showed up early Monday morning.

"It does make you worry," he said. "We could all be susceptible."

Brett Thompson, an art director who works in New York and Los Angeles, said he had been trying to get the vaccine for more than three weeks. "I couldn't find anybody who carried it," he said.

The disease is "really scary," he said. "You could get it on a Saturday and be dead four days later."

When he finally got in to see the nurse, Thompson, 56, learned the vaccine available was for people 55 and younger. He would have to come back another day.

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Understanding Colonoscopy

6/29/13 || Dr. Dale Prokupek Hello friends, current patients and prospective patients:

Colon cancer ranked as the second leading cause of death in the US. This has been a threat not only to Americans but even to other races around the globe. In fact, it has been touted to cause death to more than 50,000 American before the year ends. Unlike other forms of illness; this is often detected by the individual once the disease has progressed to a critical stage. This can also be the reason why many people end up with unmanageable condition once they get to know that they have such illness. And just like other types of cancer, colon cancer is untreatable. But early detection gives better chances of survival. That is why some people submit to colonoscopy procedure to verify if they have the illness.

What is Colonoscopy and What Benefit Does It Offer?

Colonoscopy is the modern breakthrough of medical science that allows doctors to view the inside linings of your colon. This way, they are able to check if there are polyps or abnormal tissue growth on the intestinal linings which may lead to colon cancer if left unmanaged. A flexible tube called colonoscope is inserted to your bowels to visualize the insides of your colon and rectum. Anesthetics are also provided to alleviate the discomfort that this procedure may bring. Aside from visualizing abnormal tissues, doctors can also excise unusual tissue growth found. They will send it for biopsy to verify if it is cancerous or not. This way, possible development of colon cancer can be stopped before it even starts.

Why Many People Choose Not to Submit for Colonoscopy

The main reason why some people refuse to undergo colonoscopy is because of the thought of being embarrassed during the procedure. Thinking about someone inserting a tube to your bowels can be scary and very uncomfortable. But more than that, the 2 days preparation for the procedure is even more daunting. You will need to take clear liquid diet and laxative during this period to cleanse your bowel and make it more visible while colonoscopy is being done. This alone makes the procedure less desirable. However, some people would rather go through this process rather than suffer the ill effects of colon cancer later on.

When is the Best Time to Have Colonoscopy?

Medical practitioners often suggest that an individual submit for colonoscopy at regular intervals once the person reaches 45 years old. However, you do not need to wait for that age if you are experiencing early symptoms of colon cancer. This can be as simple as unusual bowel movement or blood on stool. If you have a family history of colon cancer, then you have more reason to submit for this procedure.

Is There Any Substitute for Colonoscopy?

The good news is; a new research is being conducted wherein blood samples can be used as early detection of colon cancer. This means that you can save yourself from the embarrassment of undergoing colonoscopy or submitting sample for a stool exam. A blood test may allow medical practitioners to detect deviations in SD2 gene; which is touted to be a biomarker for colon cancer. However, unless this blood test for early colon cancer is medically accepted, you need to content yourself with what stool exam and colonoscopy procedure have to offer.

-- Dr. Dale