ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110058
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Health Notes
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
I don't want to beat a dead horse - in this case maybe a dead raccoon would be more appropriate - but let's talk rabies.
Several things make this a good topic. Before long, the weather will get warmer and we and our pets will go outside more. Also, we want to protect our pets. Plus, the Virginia Department of Health is hot to get the word out on this problem.
No person has gotten rabies in Virginia since 1953; at least, no cases have been reported. However, during 1995, 574 people had to take shots for exposure to rabies. The year before, 446 people had to take the prophylactic shots, a clear indication that more of us are being exposed to the disease that attacks the nervous system and kills its victim if untreated.
Just as sad are the number of animals that are destroyed because of rabies.
Rabies is spread by the saliva of infected animals, such as raccoons, who are by far the worst culprit in passing on the disease.
Since the first rabid raccoon was identified in the state in 1978, 86 percent of the state's counties and cities have reported raccoon rabies cases. And these animals live closely to us, eating from dog and cat food dishes near homes or from trash cans in public areas. Western Virginia actually is lucky; most of the raccoon cases come from more densely populated areas, such as Fairfax.
In 1996, there were 614 animal rabies cases reported in the state; 29 of them were cats. Cats are ranked fourth among animals that contribute to rabies, behind raccoons, skunks and foxes. It's distressing, too, to destroy a family pet because it had rabies, as a Pittsylvania County family found a year or so ago. The family also had to destroy a second pet cat that had been exposed and they had to take the rabies shots themselves.
They had not had their cats vaccinated. State law requires that cats and dogs be vaccinated for rabies by age 4 months and that they get regular booster shots.
And it's also good practice to notify your doctor after any animal bite, whether or not rabies is involved, the health department said.
Hot line for women
Ask a physical therapist anything you wish about women's health issues such as PMS, osteoporosis, prenatal exercise or incontinence on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Members of the American Physical Therapy Association will staff a toll-free number, 800-955-7848.
Heart profile
For $20, you can find out what your heart attack risk is by completing an assessment by Carilion Health System at its Fralin Center on Jefferson Street near Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital.
The assessment includes cholesterol testing, blood sugar level, blood pressure, pulse rate, computerized analysis of cardiac risk and a personalized medical information wallet card.
The tests will be conducted 6:30-9:30 a.m., today, Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. To get accurate results participants must fast for 14 hours prior to the exam, but you get refreshments once it's over.
For more information or to register, call 981-7641 or 800-422-8482. A similar program also is available to businesses and organizations.
Support groups
This is a reminder that next week, two important support groups meet in the area. The Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Survivors Group meets the first and third Tuesday in the Cancer Center of Western Virginia Radiation Oncology First Floor 6-7:30 p.m. The cancer center is near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Jefferson Street.
On the third Thursday of each month, the Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group meets 6-7:30 p.m. at either the Carilion location or at Columbia Lewis-Gale Regional Cancer Center in Salem.
For information on either group, or to confirm meetings dates and times, call Jean Westervelt at 981-7668.
Cancer patient care
Tonight at 7, Columbia Lewis-Gale Regional Cancer Center will begin a six-part program on caring for a cancer patient.
Topics to be explored include emotional aspects of cancer, fitness and nutrition for the cancer patient and visitation tips.
Sessions will be held every other week and each will feature a videotape hosted by Dr. Nancy Snyderman of "Good Morning America." Local medical professionals will lead discussions.
The programs are co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society and are available free to churches and civic groups. To schedule the program, call Nancy May at 776-4754. For more information or to register for the sessions at Lewis-Gale, call Columbia MedLine at 776-4863.
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