SOME INFECTIONS CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING TO SENIORS

EL CENTRO, CA (Friday, April 26, 2024) – Dr. Tien Vo said some infections can not only make your life miserable, but they can also kill you if left untreated. He was the keynote speaker at the recent El Centro Community Senior Club health fair on Friday, April 19, at the El Centro Community Center.

LEGACY MD MEDICAL GROUP Dr. Tien Vo (Vo Medical Center) began his comments on health issues in seniors by asking if anyone in the crowd of mostly seniors had never had or was not currently having a urinary tract infection (UTI). Most of the crowd nodded, apparently understanding the doctor’s point. Dr. Vo said that 40% of older women have suffered from a urinary tract infection, and 50% of them have recurring symptoms within months. Vo said it could lead to serious consequences if left untreated, even death. He also pointed out that women have a higher incidence of urinary tract infections than men.

Dr. Vo spoke about SEPSIS (an infection of the bloodstream that can result in a cluster of symptoms affecting blood pressure, an increase in heart rate and fever). He said the bacteria E-coli (commonly found in the intestines) can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening consequences. Sepsis occurs when the body has a life-threatening response to an infection, such as UTI. Sepsis is often called blood poisoning; in some extreme cases it is the body’s life-threatening response to an infection. Sepsis can lead to organ failure or death.

“It is a very serious condition, especially for the elderly. That’s why I’m bringing this topic up today and talking to you. Hopefully we can prevent this,” said Vo.

Vo spoke about the need for UTI testing by healthcare professionals. He discussed how UTI affects a person’s social and intimate relationships, emphasizing the need to treat the infection as soon as it is discovered. He said a person with UTI can infect his/her spouse or partner.

The MAYO CLINIC HEALH SYSTEM reports that some common symptoms of UTI include painful urination, tenderness over the bladder area, urgency and frequency of urination. It warns that cloudiness and a strong urine odor are not necessarily signs of infection.

Vo said seniors with cancer, diabetes, HIV, kidney problems and other health problems have a high tendency to develop urinary tract infections.

Vo emphasized that good hygiene is essential in preventing and treating urinary tract infections.

MAYO CLINIC offers five tips to lower the risk of UTI:

1. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
2. Empty your bladder often.
3. Urinate shortly after sex.
4. Take cranberry supplements.
5. Wipe from front to back (for women).

MAYO CLINIC points out some risk factors for recurrent UTI: frequent sexual intercourse, use of spermicide with or without a diaphragm, urinary retention, incomplete bladder emptying caused by medications, vaginal atrophy (a postmenopausal condition) and genetics, among other risk factors.

The National Library of Medicine (NIH) said in a recent report that urinary tract infections are associated with high incidence and mortality rates in healthcare settings. It states that urinary tract infections in hospitalized patients are associated with an attributed mortality rate of 2.3% and an estimated annual cost of $340 to $450 million in the US (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Vo said it is very important for everyone, but especially seniors, to get tested for urinary tract infections if they have any of the symptoms mentioned. He said that good and effective treatment can make a difference if the disease is caught in time.

Dr. Vo, representing LEGACY MD (Vo Medical Center), and Angie Marie Pena, program manager of the Vo Neighborhood Medical Clinic, presented a $1,000 check to the El Centro Senior Club, showing support for their health awareness activities for seniors.

“We love and respect our seniors. Their health is our number one priority at LEGACY MD Medical Group,” said Vo.

Also see

Dr. Vo invited the seniors to the upcoming EASY ACCESS URGENT CARE grand opening at LEGACY MD in Calexico on Wednesday, May 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be a free taco cart, a Selena Tribute presentation, other live entertainment and a special tour of the emergency room’s state-of-the-art medical equipment.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/TTVOMDLINIC/videos/1461532681408222

For more information, visit www.legacymdmedicalgroup.com or call (760) 352-2551.

LEGACY MD MEDICAL GROUP is located at: 222 E. Cole Blvd., Calexico, CA; 1520 South Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA; 81812 DR CARREON Blvd., Ste. E, Indio, CA.

Imperial Rural Health Clinic is located at 290 Main Street, Brawley, CA.

Roy Dorantes is an award-winning international filmmaker and journalist, [email protected]