Dear community members and families, In the last few weeks, we have seen significant movement in our understanding of the COVID-19 vaccines. As of today, here is what we know: The vaccines are safe The vaccines approved for use in Canada work by sending a message to our body’s immune system to stimulate our natural immune response....
Category: Howden Medical Clinic
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Answering Patient Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines
Dear Patients, As you all know, the first vaccines are being given to higher-risk people and healthcare workers. But we look forward to when you all will have access to the vaccine. We do not yet know the place or the timing and we will communicate this when we do. Appropriate steps taken – The...
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Ultraviolet (UV) lights and wands falsely claiming to disinfect against COVID-19
Health Canada is warning Canadians about the risks of using ultraviolet (UV) lights and wands that make unproven claims to disinfect against the COVID-19 virus. HMC
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Most parents aware of children’s sun-protection needs
Photo courtesy the American Academy of Dermatology Recently reported findings from a survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) revealing encouraging news regarding the public attitude toward sun protection. The key finding is that more parents are reporting that protecting their children from the sun is important to them. AAD revealed that some 74% of...
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Unauthorized test kits claiming to diagnose or detect COVID-19 put your health at risk
Health Canada is warning Canadians not to buy home diagnostic test kits, including mail-in sample collection kits, claiming to diagnose or detect COVID-19 because they may provide inaccurate or false results. These products have not been authorized by Health Canada, which means they have not been reviewed for safety, quality or effectiveness. HMC
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Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can have serious side effects. These drugs should be used only under the supervision of a physician.
Health Canada is concerned that some people may be directly buying and using chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to prevent or treat COVID-19 without a prescription. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause serious side effects, including serious heart rhythm problems. The risk of these side effects may increase at higher doses, or if the drugs are used in...
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Shortage of salbutamol inhalers in Canada
Increased demand for salbutamol inhalers due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to reported shortages and limited supply of this product in Canada. Health Canada is taking steps to mitigate the impact of the shortages and is providing advice to Canadians on how to conserve supply. HMC
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Fraudulent and unauthorized N95 respirators may not protect consumers against COVID-19
Health Canada has received reports that fraudulent and uncertified N95 respirators that falsely claim to protect consumers against COVID-19 are being illegally sold to consumers online and in some stores. In Canada, N95 respirators are regulated by Health Canada as Class I medical devices and are manufactured or imported by companies that hold a Medical Device Establishment...
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Health Canada is temporarily authorizing the use of technical-grade ethanol in hand sanitizer products
Health Canada has assessed the risks and benefits of hand sanitizers containing technical-grade ethanol and has concluded that, when used as directed and for a short period, the public health benefit to limit the spread of COVID-19 outweighs the risks. Based on its risk assessment, Health Canada is taking action immediately to ensure the safety...
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COVID-19 Assessment Centres
There are four COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Peel Region. For locations, please visit: https://peelregion.ca/coronavirus/#test. HMC
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Peel Region Family Health Service Update
Peel families with young children are able to speak with a Public Health Nurse by calling the Region of Peel at 905-799-7700. Caledon residents can call 905-584-2216. Prenatal clients can register for online prenatal education at prenatalhealthmatters@peelregion.ca. Infant feeding resources and videos are available online www.peelregion.ca/parenting/feeding-baby. HMC
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Emergency Child Care for Health Care Workers and Front-Line Workers
Emergency child care is being offered at licensed centres across Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Eligibility criteria can be found on the Province’s website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/child-care-health-care-and-frontline-staff#section-1). There is an online application (https://peelregion.ca/coronavirus/childcare/) for eligible families to request emergency child care. HMC
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Online COVID-19 Test Results
Ontario has launched a new user friendly online portal (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/) for the public to easily access their COVID-19 lab test results. HMC
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Homemade hand sanitizers may present health risks
Health Canada is warning Canadians about the potential health risks of making and using homemade hand sanitizers, as homemade recipes and products are becoming increasingly common online. If you have made or used homemade hand sanitizer products, stop using them as the concentration of alcohol in many of these recipes may not be high enough...
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No scientific evidence that ibuprofen worsens COVID-19 symptoms
Health Canada is aware of reports, including on social media, that reference safety issues with the use of ibuprofen in COVID-19 cases. There is no scientific evidence that establishes a link between ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms. The Government of Canada is monitoring the situation closely, including...
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Screen for Colon Cancer !
Colorectal Cancer Canada(CCC) states Colorectal Cancer (CRC) deaths are continuing to decline in Canada. This is likely due to improvements in treatment and diagnosis. The decline in CRC death rates are consistent with a relatively large contribution from screening and with a smaller impact of risk factor reductions. CRC develops from precancerous polyps. Screening tests...
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Exposure in Peel to a confirmed case of measles
Peel Public Health is issuing an alert that there has been an exposure to a confirmed case of measles within Peel Region. People who were on the following flights and in the following locations on February 22, 2019, may have been exposed to measles: Cathay Pacific flight CX5249, from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Hong Kong, China...
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CDC: Top HPV-Associated Cancer Is Now Oropharyngeal
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is now the most common HPV-associated cancer in the United States, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that covers the years 1999 to 2015. During that period, cervical cancer dropped from being the top HPV-associated cancer and oropharyngeal SCC took its place...
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Prostate Cancer Screening: No Effect on Overall Mortality
Routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer remains controversial, as the debate continues over the bank between potential benefits and potential harm. A new systematic review and meta-analysis has found that at best, prostate cancer screening using a PSA blood test leads to a small reduction in disease-specific mortality over 10 years, but it...
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