COVID Now
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/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2022

COVID Now

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on society recede, we must recognize that health risks remain, particularly for older individuals and those with compromising health conditions. Fortunately, the mortality and rate of severe illness have declined with the use of vaccines and treatments. Here is the latest.

  • COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. are rising, similar to last year at this time
  • One difference is that hospitalizations are primarily limited to people above 65 this season due in part to population immunity from vaccination and prior infection(s)
  • Models forecast continued growth in hospitalizations through January
  • An increase in illness from other respiratory viruses has put a severe strain on hospitals
  • New variants are not causing worse disease thus far

Mitigation and prevention

  • Doctors and epidemiologists continue to recommend risk assessment in considering mitigation measures such as masking and avoiding crowds
  • Someone above the age of 65 or who has an underlying medical condition may choose to wear an N95 mask whenever in public, whereas a healthy, young person may choose to mask only when in crowded areas or not at all
  • In addition to age and underlying health, a risk assessment includes one's tolerance for becoming ill
  • No one, whether they are at risk for severe disease or not, wants to be ill while on vacation or during another significant event and thus may choose to mask for several days prior

Risk

  • Risk can be a difficult concept
  • Take, for example, a situation in which there is a 5% chance you will be exposed, perhaps attending a crowded, indoor venue
  • Many healthy people may elect to take that chance
  • However, there is a cumulative effect when the activity is repeated
  • If the individual attends the same venue 15 times, that 5% chance increases to a greater than 50% chance of exposure

Vaccine

  • There are demonstrable benefits to the individual and the community in remaining up to date with COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
  • Those who are up to date with the vaccine and become infected have a
    • Shorter duration of illness, and
    • Reduced severity of disease
  • They are also less likely to experience long-term sequelae from the disease
  • The COVID-19 vaccine schedule continues to be modified and will likely become an annual series

Trey Dobson, MD, is the chief medical officer at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, in Bennington. 

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Introducing Dr. Amy Freeth

Amy E. Freeth, MD, resumed endocrinology services at SVMC in March 2020. The practice, known as SVMC Endocrinology, is a part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). It replaces the Bennington Osteoporosis Center, where Dr. David Gorson had provided similar services to the community until his retirement in 2019.

How do you describe endocrinology to people who don’t know what it is? The endocrine system is made up of glands that make hormones. These hormones are chemical messengers that travel via the bloodstream to communicate with the cells and organs of the body. Hormones are important for growth, development, mood, metabolism, and reproduction. These glands include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, testes, and ovaries.

Endocrinology is a practice of medicine that specializes in disorders of these systems. Disorders most commonly are related to underactive or overactive function of these glands and require replacement of the hormone or specific treatments such as medications, ablation, or surgery.

Since hormones function in feedback loops and are part of a larger complex functional system that exists in flow with the human body, replacement hormones or treatment of endocrine disorders can be challenging and involve changes to our lifestyles that support the optimal functioning of the body.

What diagnoses are most common among the patients you treat?  Pituitary tumors, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing’s disease, primary hyperaldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, obesity, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

What sorts of treatments do you offer? I offer comprehensive consultation and management of endocrine disorders. I also interpret testing and make treatment plans for endocrine disorders. I also provide interpretation of bone density reports and perform fine needle aspiration biopsies in collaboration with Radiology Associates of Bennington. Technology is increasingly becoming more important in the management of diabetes. Technology includes glucose meters, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitoring (sensors). I work with certified diabetes educators to create a team approach to diabetes management. As we develop this new department, we are looking for innovative ways to help people regain and optimize their health. I have training in nutrition counseling and health coaching to help people find their path to good health.

Why is it important for patients who need an endocrinologist see them regularly? Your endocrinologist is part of your health team and has experience and a deep understanding of what is happening within your body to help assess, guide, and co-manage your disorder. There is testing that may need to be done to make sure you are living with optimal hormonal balance. Allowing hormones to run too low or too high can have lasting adverse effects on the body leading to other disease or imbalances.

How do you help protect patients who need to come into the office from infections, like COVID-19? At this time, I am seeing patients via telemedicine and phone visits. This week we are starting to see a portion of our patients in the clinic. Patients can register on the phone and wait in their car until the room is ready. Patients will be screened for fever and should wear a mask. Staff will wear proper protective equipment and follow guidelines for handwashing and cleaning of the rooms.

Since many patients who will likely want to come to the endocrinology clinic will be members of high-risk populations (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and the elderly), patients will have a choice of the type of visit they have.

Dr. Freeth sees patients 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday in Suite 307 of the Medical Office Building located at 140 Hospital Drive in Bennington. For an appointment, call 802-447-4555. The schedule will expand to additional days as needed.

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