What Patients Need to Know About Vaccines

Protection from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. With age, adults need immunizations too, not just children. According to the CDC, below are what vaccines you need depending on your age, gender, health condition, and some other circumstances.

Vaccines for Young Adults Age 19 to 26 Years

Young Adults ages 19-26: The CDC recommends young adults have the seasonal flu vaccine every year, as well as your Td or Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). You also need the HPV vaccine (protects against of human papillomaviruses that causes cervical, anal, and other cancers). There may be other vaccine shots that you need for your employer or school requirements. For example, this coming Fall, it is required in many universities to have the COVID-19 vaccine in order to live on campus and attend classes.

Vaccines for Adults Age 50 Years and Older

• You need to receive the shingles vaccine, which protects against shingles and the complications that come with it. 1 in 3 Americans over 60 years old develop the shingles in their lifetime.
• You also need the PPSV23 shot (Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), which protects against diseases like meningitis and bloodstream infections.
• You need the PCV13 shot (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), which protects you against pneumococcal disease and pneumonia. Pneumonia becomes more dangerous as you age, so it is imperative that you receive this vaccine.

Adults with Underlining Health Conditions

• Adults with health conditions
• All adults need the flu shot
• Talk to your doctor about which vaccine shots you should take depending on what health conditions you have.
• Pregnant Women
• If you are pregnant, you need two vaccines during each pregnancy:
• Tdap vaccine to help protect against the whooping cough
• Flu shot to help protect against influenzas
• You may need more vaccines. Talk to your doctor about a specific plan for you and your pregnancy.

Healthcare Workers

• Flu shot
• Hepatitis B: if you don’t have evidence of a completed hepB vaccine series, or you don’t have an up-to-date blood test that shows that you are immune to hepatitis B, then you need to get the 3-dose series. Talk to your doctor and go over what you need.
• MMR: If you were born in 1957 or later and you haven’t received the MMR vaccine, you need 2 doses to protect yourself from the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
• Varicella: This is the chickenpox vaccine, which is required for all healthcare workers
• Meningococcal: One dose.

International Travelers

Up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations. Find out which vaccines you need based on the “Vaccine Self-Assessment Tool” on the CDC website.

Immigrants and Refugees

• Refugees and immigrants need to get all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Tips for a Speedy Flu Recovery

If you or a family member contracts the flu, you may not see any reason to visit your primary care provider. In some cases, seeing your medical doctor can help with a speedy recovery and prevent significant complications. There is no price to peace of mind. By seeking medical treatment when you don’t feel well, knowing that your body aches are only temporary can alleviate worry.

Symptoms of a Flu

Certain symptoms of the flu overlap with a common cold, but they tend to be more intense. The symptoms of the flu include a sore throat, fatigue, chills, muscle aches, fever over 100˚, nasal congestion, and a dry or wet cough. More severe symptoms include severe or persistent vomiting, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, severe neck stiffness, and a loss of consciousness. If you are experiencing any of the more severe symptoms, you need to visit the emergency room as soon as possible.

Patients that are High Risk for Flu Complications

There are some people at a higher risk of suffering dangerous complications or death from the flu. If you are 65 years or older, have a compromised immune system, have a chronic medical condition, are pregnant, or in a nursing home, you should seek advice from a doctor as soon as possible when diagnosed with the flu. Medications are more effective when they are used within two days after symptoms begin. As a rule of thumb when dealing with the flu, the sooner you seek medical attention, the better.

For those who are not considered high-risk individuals and are experiencing common symptoms, it may not be necessary to go to the hospital. Be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids. With that being said there are some circumstances where you should go to the hospital. If your fever improves but then suddenly gets worse, your symptoms don’t improve after two weeks, your cough produces mucus, or your pain is centralized in one area (such as your chest), you should seek medical attention. Another valid reason to go to the hospital is peace of mind. If you are worried that your body will not react well to the flu or have you do not feel like you are improving, going to the hospital would be a good idea. Along with making sure you recover, one of the doctor’s main objectives is to make their patients have peace of mind. One way to significantly decrease the chances that you catch the flu is to get the flu vaccine.

At Jupiter Internal Medicine Associates, our medical providers are here to help. We encourage you to schedule a same day sick appointment today. Schedule your comprehensive medical visit to learn more about flu prevention and how to get a flu shot.

Being Proactive About Your Health

Typically there are two types of patients. Patients that are diligent about their health care needs and are invested in what the medical provider offers. The other type of patients are reactive and will only follow up with a medical provider when there is a health care crisis. Our view of health tends to help lay the medical road map to what health care needs lies ahead.

At Jupiter Internal Medicine Associates, our medical team encourages our patients to look into what preventive healthcare services are available to you and your family. Primary healthcare shouldn’t be looked at as a reactive service that should be used to help you recover, but rather as a proactive service used to prevent diseases.

Preventative medical care is just as important as reactive medical treatment, if not more so. According to the CDC, chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths in the United States each year. Many of these deaths are preventable through proactive treatment. Below is a helpful list of six preventive medical services that can help you improve your health, and avoid chronic diseases.

Regular Medical Checkups

Regular Checkups- It is essential for people to make regular doctor appointments, especially when they are healthy so that they can stay healthy. Doctors can point out habits that you have that will keep you healthy and point out some bad habits that potentially derail your health. Going to the doctor on a regular basis is a way to catch a chronic disease early and will give yourself a better chance to overcome it. For example, if you go to the doctor’s office and are diagnosed with stage one cancer, you have a much better chance of beating it then if you were diagnosed with the cancer too late.

Monitoring Your Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure Monitoring- High blood pressure is not good for your heart. If you monitor your blood pressure regularly, you can instill habits that will lower your blood pressure -such as exercising and changing your diet- to help prevent any heart conditioned caused by high blood pressure.

Check Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol Tests- Like high blood pressure, high cholesterol is not good for your heart. Being able to test your cholesterol levels early will help you catch diseases early or prevent them all together by changing dietary habits.

Monitoring Your Blood Sugar

Diabetes- According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), in 2015 30.3 million Americans (9.1% of the population) had diabetes. Diabetes affects 1 in 4 people over 65 years old. Use your primary healthcare provider to test your blood sugar levels to be sure that you do not have diabetes.

Establish Annual Cancer Screenings

Cancer Screenings- Cancer screenings are covered under most primary healthcare providers, and usually serve to find breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer. Like previously mentioned, early detection is the key to beating cancer.

Monitoring Your Weight

Obesity- Your doctor can tell you if your weight and body fat levels are normal, or if you are considered obese. Obesity can lead to many diseases such as heart attacks, diabetes, and others. It is critical that your doctor knows if you are obese, so that you can collaborate on a plan to beat it.

Protection from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. Adults need to immunizations too, not just children. Below are what vaccines you need depending on your age, gender, health condition, and some other circumstances (According to the CDC):

• 19-26 Year old’s: You need to have the seasonal flu vaccine every year, as well as your Td or Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). You also need the HPV vaccine (protects against of human papillomaviruses that causes cervical, anal, and other cancers). There may be other vaccine shots that you need for your job or school requirements. For example, this coming fall, it is required in many universities to have the COVID-19 vaccine in order to live on campus.
• 50 Years or older-
  • You need to receive the shingles vaccine, which protects against shingles and the complications that come with it. 1 in 3 Americans over 60 years old develop the shingles in their lifetime.
  • You also need the PPSV23 shot (Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), which protects against diseases like meningitis and bloodstream infections.
  • You need the PCV13 shot (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), which protects you against pneumococcal disease and pneumonia. Pneumonia becomes more dangerous as you age, so it is imperative that you receive this vaccine.
• Adults with health conditions
  • All adults need the flu shot
  • Talk to your doctor about which vaccine shots you should take depending on what health conditions you have.
• Pregnant Women
  • If you are pregnant, you need two vaccines during each pregnancy:
    • Tdap vaccine to help protect against the whooping cough
    • Flu shot to help protect against influenzas
  • You may need more vaccines. Talk to your doctor about a specific plan for you and your pregnancy.
• Healthcare Workers
  • Flu shot
  • Hepatitis B: if you don’t have evidence of a completed hepB vaccine series, or you don’t have an up-to-date blood test that shows that you are immune to hepatitis B, then you need to get the 3-dose series. Talk to your doctor and go over what you need.
  • MMR: If you were born in 1957 or later and you haven’t received the MMR vaccine, you need 2 doses to protect yourself from the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
  • Varicella: This is the chickenpox vaccine, which is required for all healthcare workers
  • Meningococcal: One dose.
• International Travelers
  • Up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations. Find out which vaccines you need based on the “Vaccine Self-Assessment Tool” on the CDC website.
• Immigrants and Refugees
  • Refugees and immigrants need to get all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

What are the three types of vaccines available?

Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

What is the difference between the three different vaccines?

Both the Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech are mRNA vaccines. Both of these vaccines require two doses. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a vector vaccine, which causes side effects such as a cold. With this being said, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires a single dose. The vaccines vary in effectiveness with the Moderna vaccine at 94% effective after two doses, the Pfizer-BioNTech is 92% effective, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 66% effective. All three are safe to use according to the FDA.

Are the three vaccines safe?

So far, research shows that all three vaccines are safe.

How long will the vaccine protect me from COVID-19?

While it is too early to know for certain, research shows that the vaccine protects people from COVID-19 for at least 4 months.

Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?

Like any vaccine, it is impossible for you to contract COVID-19 from the vaccine. The vaccine gives your immune system a preview of the disease and the ways to fight it off. 

Who does the COVID-19 vaccine protect?

Studies show that all three vaccines protect people from ages 18-85 years old. More research needs to be done for people younger than 18, as well as pregnant women.

What if I am pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant?

Women who plan on becoming pregnant can receive the vaccine. The FDA allows for women who are pregnant to receive the vaccine despite the lack of research. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about receiving the vaccine. If you are breastfeeding, you can receive the vaccine and do not need to stop breastfeeding. 

Once I receive the vaccine, do I need to wear a mask and social distance?

Yes. Research shows that people can transmit COVID-19 through their nose even if they are vaccinated.

 Is the vaccine safe for people with allergies?

People who are allergic to environmental allergens, foods, latex, oral medications, and stinging insects can receive the COVID vaccine safely. However, if you have severe allergic reactions to anaphylaxis or polyethylene (PEG), the CDC recommends against taking the vaccine.

Are there any preemptive measures taken to ensure that I do not have an allergic reaction to the vaccine?

 Immediately following the shot, patients wait 15 minutes (30 minutes for people who have a history of severe allergic reactions) to ensure that they do not have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. 

Will I be able to choose which vaccine to get?

Currently, the supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses are limited, so you are offered whichever vaccine is available.

Do all three vaccines prevent death due to COVID-19?

All three vaccines are 100% effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.

Will I be mandated to take the COVID vaccine?

At this time, no, there is no government mandate. 

What is Post-COVID Syndrome?

After someone has COVID, some people experience lingering symptoms from the virus. 

What are some of the symptoms for Post-COVID-Syndrome?

Some of the most common symptoms include (but are not limited to) fatigue, difficulty breathing, joint pain, chest pain, brain fog, impaired memory, loss of taste, loss of smell, and sleep issues. 

How long will these symptoms last?

Symptoms can last for at least 6 months or longer. 

What causes these symptoms to linger?

It is unclear why symptoms linger, despite negative tests. Hypotheses range from prolonged inflammatory response to hidden areas of infection. 

Can I experience post-COVID syndrome even if I did not have severe symptoms?

Yes. Patients who experience post-COVID syndrome range from mild symptoms to hospitalization.

If I have COVID-19, what are the chances that I will experience post-COVID syndrome?

This is still widely unknown. Some studies suggest that 10% of people with COVID develop post-COVID syndrome, while others suggest that it is as high as 70%.

Which demographics are at the highest risk of developing post-COVID syndrome?

Adults over the age of 50, people who experience a severe case, individuals with underlying health conditions (such as cardiopulmonary issues, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity).

What can I do if I am experiencing post-COVID syndrome?

Call your doctor. If you are experiencing mild symptoms, your doctor can help. If you are experiencing more severe symptoms, your doctor will refer you to a specialist. 

What are the different kinds of specialist geared to help me combat post-COVID syndrome?

The specialists include (but are not limited to) cardiology, pulmonologist, gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology, neurology, endocrinology, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and primary care. 

UNDERSTANDING FOOD ADDICTIONS AND CREATING HEALTHY HABITS

Are you aware of how prevalent food addiction really is? I want you to know that it’s actually not your fault many of us are struggling in this area!!  Everywhere we go these highly addictive foods are front and center. Refined sugar is in everything!  In fact we are consuming an average of 150 pounds of refined sugar and flour products each year (Dr. A’s Habits of Health -pg. 319). Just astounding!! 

This ultra refined sugar and flour can act almost as a drug that causes insatiable hunger and cravings that leads to addiction and loss of control. In fact, as our insulin rises in response to these sugars, it blocks leptin ( a hunger suppressant hormone released by our fat cells) that tells our brain we aren’t hungry anymore. (Habits of Health-pg 320). 

STOP. CHALLENGE. CHOOSE.

Sadly the food industry is not necessarily our friend and we are compelled to take matters into our own hands. Luckily we can utilize a strategy developed by Dr. Wayne Scott Anderson  (New York Times best selling author and one of the first critical care doctors in our country) called  “STOP. CHALLENGE.CHOOSE” to help us navigate through this issue. 

HOW DOES STOP, CHALLENGE AND CHOOSE WORK?

Take a moment to STOP and pause before deciding what to do. 

Challenge yourself to think about what you really want and if that next action moves you closer to or farther from your goal. 

Decide what the next best step is for you as it relates to your goal. 

With socializing on the rise, you are likely going to be attending more parties & maybe even a Memorial Day barbecue. Here’s how you might use this strategy in that event. You arrive at the party and see the table is covered with pastries, beverages and appetizers. Knowing that your goal is to be happy in your bathing suit for that weekend on the beach what do you do?

• Stop before diving right into the food and drink. This gives your impulsive brain time to be taken over by your thinking brain.
• Challenge yourself by asking which is more important? The immediate gratification of the food and drink or the feeling you’ll have once you put on that suit. 
• Decide what you want to do to get closer to the suit or instant gratification goal. 

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing by the way. It’s possible to allow yourself one or two indulgences at that moment. But pausing will allow you to decide more strategically. 

About the Author – Jen Boss, Health and Wellness Coach 

A former elementary school teacher and longtime stay at home mom, Jen started her health and wellness business in February of 2019 after tackling health goals of her own. With the guidance of a coach, support of a community, education and a simply structured nutrition plan, Jen helps people take their health back & empowers them to live their best possible life centered around what matters most to them. The intention is to make health a habit and dieting a thing of the past. 

Urinary tract infections are a very common yet miserable infection to have. Despite their commonness, many people don’t know much about them except for little rules of thumb about how to avoid them. Unfortunately, these rules have not completely stopped the occurrence of UTIs, so it is helpful to understand what they are, what to look for, and how to deal with one if you get them. This is important because UTIs can infect multiple areas and develop into more severe problems if not taken care of properly. Even though they may become a more serious concern, UTIs are not severe if treated, and with the appropriate treatment will eventually heal completely. 

UTI Symptoms You Should Know

The urinary system is composed of the urethra, kidneys, and bladder which can all become infected. These infections are collectively known as urinary tract infections and begin in the urethra. When bacteria enters the urethra, it also enters the urinary tract, which is how it can spread to the other parts of the system when left untreated. The main causes of UTIs are sexual intercourse, obesity, immune system disorders, diabetes, and menopause in women. Symptoms for UTIs vary based on the location that the infection is found in. When experiencing painful urination it means that the bladder or urethra is infected. These infections are called lower tract UTIs. Abdominal pain, dark urine, bloody urine, cloudy urine, urine with a strong odor, and fatigue are also common symptoms of these infections. If the infection has reached the kidney a common symptom is becoming feverish.

UTI Treatment

If you suspect you have a UTI, it is important to consult a doctor for further examination and testing. There are a handful of ways to test if a person has a UTI with the most common ways being through urine samples and urine cultures, which can be used to grow the bacteria present in your urinary tract. If a patient has frequent issues with UTIs, a doctor may use imaging to map out your urinary system or schedule a scope for deeper examination. Treatment for a UTI can vary in detail due to the different types of bacteria causing the infection, as well as the frequency with which the infections are occurring. One home remedy that is backed by doctors is drinking cranberry juice. However, it is still likely that your doctor will prescribe with you some form of antibiotics, to begin with, upon diagnosing the infection. After taking the antibiotics, infections usually clear up within a few days assuming no further complications. If it is a frequent issue, your doctor will likely try and prescribe stronger antibiotics. In cases of severe infection, attention from a hospital may be required in order to administer antibiotics intravenously. However, these are rare cases and most UTIs do not involve anything further than the first round of antibiotics. 

Nearly 1 in 3 American adults have high blood pressure. Treating high blood pressure does not have to challenging with the help of Jupiter Internal Medicine Associates. The dangers of high blood pressure is not as widespread as it should be, and treatments are even less so. The DASH diet should be widespread to combat high blood pressure.

Consequences of High Blood Pressure

It is extremely important to understand the consequences of high blood pressure before going into different ways to fight it. There are many factors that contribute to high blood pressure such as age, weight, sex, diet, stress and genetics to name a few. If blood pressure gets too high, the heart has to work harder which can lead to a heart attack. The DASH diet aims to lower the risk of high blood pressure.

DASH is an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (high blood pressure). The physicians at Jupiter Internal Medicine Associates may refer to the DASH diet during your medical appointment. This diet encourages to lower your sodium by mixing in potassium, calcium and magnesium into your daily intake. Food groups such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods are emphasized within this diet. Foods like sweets, white wheats, and alcohol are not eliminated but rather limited.

Americans and the DASH Diet

The average American eats up to 3,400 milligrams of sodium, while the DASH diet allows you to consume 2,300 milligrams of sodium. According to the World Health Organization, salt intake of less than 5 grams per day helps to reduce blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. Some tips to lower your sodium include using sodium-free spices rather than salt, and not adding salt into your pasta or rice. Look for products labeled “no salt added,” or “low sodium” in your local grocery store to help lower your sodium intake.

Grains -such as pasta, bread, and cereals- should be limited to 6-8 servings a day. In general, look for grains that you can see the seeds. For example, whole grain bread you can see the seeds sprouted, where as the white bread there are not seeds visible. Another way to look at it is the darker the grain the better. Look for products labeled “100% whole grain.”

Try to eat like a bird. Snacking on seeds and legumes -such as almonds, sunflower seeds, kidney beans, peas, and lentils- are great sources of protein, and are good fats (unsaturated). The DASH diet recommends 4-5 servings a week.

While fats have a bad reputation, they are important to absorb vitamins and to build up your immune system. Unsaturated fats -such as nuts, and avocados- are good fats that are essential for your immune system (as opposed to saturated fats such as cake, and creamer). 2-3 servings of fats and oils a day is important towards maintaining a balanced diet with DASH.

Limit Sweets and Alcohol Consumption Can Lower Your Blood Pressure

Limiting your sweets, and alcohol consumption will lower your blood pressure levels. Getting rid of sweets all together is not recommended, but rather limit them. Try switching to fat-free or low-fat sweets, and using artificial sweeteners -such as Splenda- to replace sugar. The same can be said for alcohol: You don’t need to eliminate it, but rather cut back. Men should limit their alcohol to no more than two drinks and women to one or less.

Tips to Following a DASH Diet While Living with Hypertension

There are a few strategies to utilize when you start the DASH diet. It is really important to not thrust yourself into the diet. You need to start slow and implement maybe 2 or 3 of these tips for the first week or so, and gradually add on. Attempting everything the DASH diet has to offer in the first week would be a shock to your body, and extremely hard to maintain. Starting slow will allow your body to adapt, leading to a more sustainable plan.

Another tip is to try and do this diet with someone who you trust and love. Having a support system and someone to hold you accountable to your diet will be very valuable to you both in the short and long run.

And finally, stay positive. You are going to have mistakes and hard times during the beginning stages of this diet. Just keep in mind that this will be a long process and will be extremely beneficial to your body.

Author: Charlie Von Werne

Understanding the COVID-19 Vaccination Situation in the United States

With the Covid-19 pandemic now coming close to one full year of prominence and surging once again most eyes in the United States have begun to focus on the vaccination rollout soon to be taking place across the country in the hopes of seeing the end of the virus come soon. However, with an unprecedented turnaround for this vaccination and two different versions being released, misinformation and confusion are running rampant. This article will serve as your guide in understanding what the situation really is.

The Two Vaccines for COVID-19:

The first vaccine to meet the FDA’s requirements in order to be released to the public was Pfizer’s which is a pharmaceutical giant. Following that, Moderna, a biotech company that had never released a vaccine to the public, also passed testing with their vaccine and was granted emergency permission for it to be released for use on the general public with backing from the Center for Disease Control. Both vaccines use Messenger RNA (mRNA) to mimic the spikes found on the Coronavirus which when introduced to the immune system leads to antibodies for the Coronavirus. Once the antibodies have developed, the body is prepared for contact with the full virus and able to successfully fight it off. The differences between the two structurally lie in the lipid (fat) systems used to deliver the mRNA into the body. These differences are relatively minor and do not seem to have any tangible difference in efficacy as both vaccines were about 95% effective in trials across gender, age, ethnic, and racial demographics. Both vaccines are also administered across two doses.

The biggest difference between the vaccines is in their storage temperature. Pfizer’s vaccine must be stored at extremely cold temperatures and lose effectiveness five days after refrigeration. This has created logistic difficulties for transportation and storage, especially in areas of the country without comprehensive infrastructure built to accommodate those needs, or that are more difficult to reach from distribution centers. Moderna’s vaccine is able to be stored at -20 degrees celsius as opposed to Pfizer’s -75 degree needs, as well as lasting up to 30 days after refrigeration. This makes it significantly easier for storage and transportation which is why Moderna’s has received more support from the FDA and CDC. Both vaccines have been deemed safe with good safety profiles in clinical tests. Symptoms can develop after taking the vaccine such as fevers, swollen lymph nodes, pain at the injection site, fatigue, and chills. However, serious non-fatal symptoms were rare and did not meet the FDA levels needed to prevent emergency authorization.

Distribution of the Vaccine

The United States has acquired the rights to millions of vaccinations from both companies but has highly favored Moderna’s after its approval due to its advantages in storage and transportation. This is reflected in the greater than 3,000 sites set to receive the Moderna vaccine one day after approval as opposed to Pfizer’s 636. Currently, two hundred million vaccines have been purchased from Moderna by the United States with vaccines having been in production since testing and shipment already taking place. Following the distribution, states and local levels will determine the order in which vaccines are delivered, although it is expected for nearly all to follow federal level priority guidelines which place essential workers such as nurses and doctors at the front followed by the most at-risk individuals. 

Minimizing your risk to the spread of COVID-19

Official CDC guidelines urge people to wear masks in public settings to limit the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a mask on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, in shopping malls, at food stores, and virtually any other place where you will be exposed to others has many benefits. Masks help protect yourself and others from getting or spreading COVID-19, therefore, it is important that you maximize a mask’s effect by properly utilizing it.

Masks with Two or More Layers

Make sure to wear a mask with two or more layers to limit particulate spread, and to wear the mask over your nose and mouth while securing it under your chin. However, there are additional things to avoid in the execution of wearing a mask. For example, refrain from putting a mask on an individual who is two years-old or younger or who has trouble breathing or cannot remove the mask without assistance. Additionally, try and refrain from wearing masks intended for healthcare workers (i.e. N95 respirators). 

Masks that Cover Your Nose and Mouth

There are many choices when selecting the mask that is best for you. In this process, it is important to keep a few things in mind to ensure that you are maximizing the safety of yourself and others. Make sure the mask of your choice has two or more layers of breathable fabric, completely covers your nose and mouth, and fits snugly against your face (no gaping on the sides). Moreover, masks with exhalation valves or vents that allow virus particles to escape should never be worn. You may also wear a gaiter with two layers if you desire, however, if you wish to wear a face shield, be cautious, as effectiveness is rather unknown at this time. Also, if you wear glasses, it may be useful to find a mask that fits closely over your nose to limit fogging. 

When wearing your mask, be sure to wash your hands before putting it on and never touch it while it is on your face. When removing your mask, handle it only by touching the ear loops or ties and wash it regularly with your laundry. Also, be sure to refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth before washing your hands after mask removal.