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 January 27, 2019, may have been exposed to measles: Lufthansa flight LH-470, from Frankfurt to Toronto Air Canada flight AC-834/LH 6829 from Toronto to Montreal Pearson Airport(Terminal 1) on January 27, 2019 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Clinical features of measles: Fever AND Cough, coryza or conjunctivitis AND Generalized maculopapular rash(usually 2-4 days after prodromal symptoms) Incubation period: 7-21 days Therefore, watch for above symptoms...
January 29, 2019January 29, 2019
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 as a result of cervical cancer screening. The uptick in oropharyngeal SCC could be due in part to “changing sexual behaviors,” including unprotected oral sex, especially among white men, who report having the highest number of sexual partners and performing oral sex at a younger...
January 29, 2019January 29, 2019
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 has no effect on overall mortality. HMC
December 20, 2018December 20, 2018
Protect yourself against the flu.
Getting the flu shot is your best defence: It is free in Ontario, safe and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Wash your hands often: Even after getting the flu shot, washing with soap and water for at least 15 seconds helps keep the virus from spreading. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer (gel or wipes) with at least 60% alcohol. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze: Use a tissue and throw it out rather than putting it in your pocket, on a desk or table. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve. Don’t touch your face: The...
December 20, 2018December 20, 2018
Health products manufactured by Professional Botanicals Inc. may pose serious health risks
Health Canada is warning that all products manufactured by Professional Botanicals Inc. may pose serious health risks. The company is a contract manufacturer that also operates under the name Healthy Botanicals Inc. HMC
November 26, 2018November 26, 2018
Health Canada concludes that there are no new safety concerns with sunscreen products
Through its safety review, Health Canada has concluded that there are no new safety concerns with any sunscreen products. However, the Department found that, on rare occasions, mild to moderate skin reactions may develop in individuals who have an allergy or sensitivity to one or more ingredients in sunscreen products. HMC
November 26, 2018November 26, 2018
Health Canada reminds Canadians of the risks of decorative contact lenses
Health Canada is reminding consumers that decorative contact lenses pose health risks. It’s important to use these lenses safely. Decorative contact lenses licensed by Health Canada are assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality. Using unlicensed decorative contact lenses could pose a risk to your health. HMC
November 26, 2018November 26, 2018
Several children’s strawberry-flavoured acetaminophen syrups recalled.
Several children’s strawberry-flavoured acetaminophen syrups recalled because of defective child-resistant safety caps on the bottles. November 2018 The recall has been expanded to include all lots of children’s strawberry-flavoured acetaminophen syrups labeled as Biomedic, Option+, or Laboratoires Trianon Inc. because of defective child-resistant safety caps. HMC
November 17, 2018November 17, 2018
New Physician
We are pleased to announce addition of a female physician to our team. She practices on Thursdays and will see walk-in patients. No appointments are needed. You are more than welcome to attend our clinic to receive the care you need. HMC
November 06, 2018November 6, 2018
HPV Vaccine
FDA approves the use of GARDASIL Vaccine up to 45 years old. Human Papillomavirus Vaccine helps protect girls and women ages 9 to 26 against cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers and genital warts caused by HPV. GARDASIL helps protect boys and men ages 9 to 26 against anal cancer and genital warts caused by HPV. Resources: https://www.gardasil9.com
October 30, 2018October 30, 2018
Internal Medicine
We are pleased to add internal medicine specialty to Howden Medical Clinic once a week. Our physician sees seniors(geriatrics), diabetes, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, liver disease, anemia, asthma, COPD to name a few. Short waiting list and we accept referrals from Brampton family physicians. HMC
October 12, 2018October 12, 2018
Flu Vaccine
Flu season is here. Protect yourself and your loves ones by vaccinating yourself with flu vaccine at Howden Medical Clinic. Kids, pregnant ladies, seniors and people with disease like asthma, COPD, heart disease are more susceptible to die from flu.
September 30, 2018September 30, 2018
Flu Vaccines
Flu Vaccines are under way in October in our clinic. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm https://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts Please contact Howden Medical Clinic to receive your Flu Shot.
August 21, 2018August 21, 2018
New Physician addition to our team!
Howden Medical Clinic welcomes Dr. Karman Chaudhry to our team. He will see walk-in patients on Tuesdays starting from September 11th, 2018 at HMC regular hours.
August 01, 2018August 1, 2018
Urology Service
We had the pleasure of having Dr. Morris, Urologist, starting his work at our Clinic today. He is a very professional, pleasant, and humble physician who joined us recently. He sees not only our Clinic patients but also accepts referrals from other physicians in Brampton. Our waiting time is less than a month and consult letters are faxed back to your referring physicians very fast. Please contact HMC for further info.
July 31, 2018July 31, 2018
Health Canada updates Canadians on shortage situation involving EpiPen (0.3 mg) auto-injectors
Following Health Canada’s most recent communication regarding a shortage of EpiPen (0.3 mg) and EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg) auto-injectors, Pfizer Canada has advised Health Canada that supply of EpiPen in the 0.3 mg format is expected to be very limited at pharmacies during the month of August. Contact your pharmacies for further updates. HMC
July 30, 2018July 30, 2018
July 28, 2018 is World Hepatitis Day.
In Canada, 44% of people living with chronic HCV are unaware they have the disease, despite availability of screening and access to effective treatment. In 2017, there were 285 cases of HCV reported to Peel Public Health. Although many cases are initially asymptomatic, early diagnosis and treatment of HCV is important to decrease the risk of long-term complications. Screening for people at risk: Currently or ever injected drugs Ever shared any drug equipment Have HIV or chronic HBV Were infants born to HCV infected mothers Lived or travelled to endemic countries Received blood, blood products or organs Have had blood-to-blood...
July 29, 2018July 29, 2018
Increase in locally-acquired Cyclosporiasis in Ontario
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/cyclosporiasis-cyclospora/health-professionals-cyclosporiasis-cyclospora.html http://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/browsebytopic/infectiousdiseases/pages/IDlandingpages/cyclosporiasis.aspx Ontario has experienced 36 locally-acquired cyclosporiasis since April 1, 2018 until July 19, 2018. Cyclosporiasis is an infection of small bowel by parasite Cyclospora cayetanenis. Symptoms are: frequent, watery diarrhea; anorexia; fatigue; abdominal cramps; nausea; and myalgia. If untreated, symptoms last 6-7 weeks and vary in intensity. Cases are usually from travelers to endemic countries( Caribbean, South and Central America, South and East Asia) and by ingesting food or water contaminated with the parasite. Diagnosis can be done by a simple stool test. Treatment is Septra or Bactrim.
July 21, 2018July 21, 2018
Botox Tops Topiramate for Chronic Migraine Prevention
July 16, 2018 SAN FRANCISCO — OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox, Allergan) treatment is more effective, is better tolerated, and has greater functional improvement in the prevention of chronic migraine compared with the anticonvulsant topiramate, new research suggests. The findings were presented here at the American Headache Society (AHS) Annual Meeting 2018. The AAN guidelines state: •OnabotulinumtoxinA is established as effective and should be offered to increase headache-free days (Level A evidence) and is probably effective and should be considered to improve health-related quality of life (Level B) in chronic migraine. •OnabotulinumtoxinA is established as ineffective and should not be offered for episodic migraine (Level...
July 11, 2018July 11, 2018
Several drugs containing valsartan being recalled due to contamination with a potential carcinogen
Several drugs containing the ingredient valsartan are being recalled by their manufacturers. An impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), was found in the valsartan used in these products. NDMA is a potential human carcinogen, which means that it could cause cancer with long-term exposure. See your physician or pharmacist right away if you are taking this blood pressure medicine.