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Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. Michael Leapman, MD, a urologist at Yale New Haven Hospital and an assistant professor of urology at Yale School of Medicine, sees patients with urologic cancers in collaboration with Smilow Cancer Hospital. Here he offers advice about the importance of rectal exams, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests and screenings for prostate cancer.
Good health should be a year-round concern for men – not just in November. This time of the year should be a time for men to reflect on things in their life that they can change to impact their overall health for the better.
Talk to your doctor. If you don’t have one, call 888-700-6543 or visit Find a Doctor for a referral to a primary care physician near you.
For almost three years now, the news has focused primarily on COVID-19 and the coronavirus. But healthcare professionals want people to remember another respiratory virus: seasonal influenza.
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the “flu,” but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include: fever, aching muscles, cough and sore throat, headache and fatigue. Influenza and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses.
Learn more about the differences between flu and COVID-19.
Flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although it can last as late as May.
“We usually say that flu is predictably unpredictable,” said Richard Martinello, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention at Yale New Haven Health. “However, we are already seeing an uptick in influenza circulating in our area, so people should get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population gets sick from flu each season, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC estimates there were a record-high 61,000 flu deaths in the U.S. during the 2017-2018 season.
Over the past few years, the U.S. experienced relatively mild flu seasons. That’s because people were wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, avoiding mass transportation and generally staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many people were continuing to work remotely, students were not in school and there wasn’t much travel. These prevention tools help to stop both COVID-19 and the flu viruses from spreading, according to Dr. Martinello.
“We need people to be attentive. Flu is still a major public health threat and poses a risk to everyone, including healthy children, teens, adults and pregnant individuals,” Dr. Martinello said.
Another concern this year, said Dr. Martinello, is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a common seasonal virus that poses particular risks to pregnant women, immunocompromised children and adults, and adults older than 65. It is a leading cause of infant mortality around the globe and is especially dangerous to prematurely born babies. “We are also seeing an unusually early and significant RSV season,” he said. “Hospitals across the U.S., including Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, are inundated with children with RSV right now. And among older adults, RSV causes about 14,000 deaths per year.”
So what should you know about this coming fall and winter? Dr. Martinello recommends the following safety measures:
One thing Dr. Martinello knows for sure: it’s best to be prepared. Take the proper precautions, be alert and consult a physician or health professional if symptoms are concerning. "Every flu season is unique. Every time we think we know what will happen, it will do something totally different,” he said.
The annual Wish Book, a gift list for Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital patients, is now available online.
The online catalog includes items hospital staff have suggested to help keep young patients’ spirits up through play and entertainment. Many Wish Book gifts are items families can’t purchase themselves. The items in the latest catalog are designed for gift-giving throughout the year, not just the holidays. View this year’s Wish Book to order an item online or make an online donation and make a difference in the lives of our pediatric patients and their families.
Join our beneficial exercise program for those living with Parkinson's Disease. This class is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 am - 12 pm via Zoom and in-person in the Wellness Center at Home Care Plus Community Healthcare & Hospice, 753 Boston Post Road, Guilford. The cost is $6 per class.
A free support group is held on the first Tuesday of each month immediately following class. Please call Bobbi Dunne at 866-474-5230 for more information and to register.
A virtual Parkinson’s Caregiver Support group is also available; call 866-474-5230 for a link. No registration is required.
A registered nurse with Yale New Haven Health’s Home Care Plus can check your blood pressure, heart rate and weight, and work with you to set health goals at one of our free “Ask the Nurse” clinics held throughout the greater New Haven area. The nurse can also help you create a medication list and discuss how you can prepare for a medical appointment. There is no cost for this service and appointments are not required.
“Ask the Nurse” clinics are available monthly on the following dates and locations:
East Haven:
Hamden:
North Haven:
To learn more, call the Home Care Plus - Community Healthcare & Hospice helpline at 866-474-5230.
Need care right away? We can help with everything from allergies and sprains to emergency symptoms for heart attack and stroke.
If you are headed to the emergency department, our wait time clocks help make sure you get the care you need as quickly as possible.
While emergency departments provide care for life-threatening injuries or illnesses, walk-in/urgent care centers offer convenient, professional medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions including the flu and common cold to broken bones, sprains, cuts, allergic reactions, and minor burns, and many other conditions. Avoid long wait times at the emergency department and get the care you need at one of our walk-in or urgent care centers located throughout Connecticut.
For minor medical concerns, you can receive care online using Video Care OnDemand.
Not sure where to go? Find out how to Get Care Now.
Are you looking for a physician? Call 888-700-6543 or visit our Find a Doctor feature for information on physician specialties, office hours and locations as well as insurance plans accepted. Many of our physician practices offer telehealth video visits for your convenience.
Yale New Haven Health offers financial counseling to patients and families. Spanish-speaking counselors are also available. To make an appointment with a financial counselor, call 855-547-4584.