Health Department

According to the CDC, each year more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. That’s one American every 40 seconds. Every year, World Stroke Day is observed on October 29 to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition, and ensure better care and support for survivors. On this World Stroke Day, we highlight the Health Department’s Helping Hands Stroke Group, and its facilitator, Erica Wrenn. Erica is a Speech-Language Pathologist, working at the Joseph Willard Health Clinic as part of the Speech and Hearing Clinic team. And while she says she didn’t set out to work in Public Health, she can’t imagine being anywhere else.  “I was previously employed at an inpatient rehab hospital. However, I stumbled upon this position at the Fairfax County Health Department and have enjoyed a lengthy and very fulfilling career since then,” said Erica. “I can honestly say I love being a speech-language pathologist.” And it’s a job that Erica says has roots in personal experience.  “My grandfather suffered a stroke. Even his ability to swallow was impacted by the stroke,” said Erica. “I saw firsthand the care that was provided to help him regain his ability to speak and comprehend language, and I saw the speech and language pathologist teach him how to swallow safely so that he could enjoy the foods he loved.” The Helping Hands Stroke Club was founded in 1977 with just five members which has grown into 30 members across three groups: one is a combined support group for stroke survivors and caregivers, the second group is for caregivers only and the third is a speech therapy group for stroke survivors to continue working on improving speech, language and cognitive deficits. Erica has facilitated these groups since 2008. Members of the Helping Hands Stroke Group share at a meeting earlier this year. In describing her role as facilitator, Erica is clearly focused on those she serves. She adds, “I’m an advocate for stroke survivors who are often overlooked due to communication and mobility challenges. I’m a champion for those who continue to fight for recovery in ways that are most important to them.” The Helping Hands Stroke Club offers stroke survivors and caregivers the opportunity to share personal experiences, exchange valuable information and network with others in an informal group setting. The primary benefit of the stroke Club is to provide a safe, caring and supportive environment for survivors and caregivers to openly and honestly discuss the challenges of stroke recovery. Activities vary and consist of guest speakers, open discussions and social events. Erica remembers that it was one of those other activities that made all the difference for one specific club member. “I received a call from the daughter of a stroke survivor. Her mother was refusing to attend any support groups,” Erica recalls. “During our discussion, I learned that her mother enjoyed poetry which just happened to be an upcoming topic for a stroke club meeting. I encouraged the daughter to bring her mother to that meeting and to bring some poetry to share. After this initial meeting, the stroke survivor returned week after week and began to participate in other stroke related activities.  It’s been 10 years and she’s still an active and vital member as well as the group’s staunchest supporter.” The Helping Hands Club meets on Fridays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., and group speech therapy is on alternating Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A caregiver support group meets every other month. If you would like information on the group, you can call (703) 246-7120 (TTY 711) for details or visit the Speech and Hearing Services page on our Health Department website.

Across the state of Virginia, including the Fairfax Health District, hospital emergency departments and urgent care centers are seeing an increase in visits for diagnosed pneumonia, particularly among children ages 5-17 years old. What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It can be caused by different germs, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. People can get pneumonia any time of the year, but it is more common in the fall and winter when germs that cause respiratory illnesses are spreading. Common symptoms of pneumonia include: Cough Shortness of breath Fever or chills Chest pain when breathing or coughing Fatigue (feeling tired) Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Confusion Certain people are more likely to get pneumonia, including: Adults 65 years and older (with risk increasing as age increases); Children younger than 5 years old, with higher risk among infants and young children; People with chronic medical conditions, including chronic heart disease, liver disease, lung disease, and diabetes; and, People with a weakened immune system. How can I protect myself and loved ones? Vaccines can help prevent infections that can cause pneumonia, including influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumococcal disease, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles. Staying up-to-date on routine and seasonal immunizations can protect those at risk for developing pneumonia. Healthy habits can prevent respiratory infections that lead to pneumonia. Avoid infections by: Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve Washing your hands often Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are touched a lot Taking care of chronic medical conditions (like asthma) Quitting smoking or avoiding cigarette smoke, as these can also increase the risk of lung infections For Providers Consider collecting specimens from persons with pneumonia to determine the cause of the infection. Consider Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a possible cause of infection among children with community-acquired pneumonia, as CDC has reported a recent rise in M. pneumoniae infections in the U.S., particularly in young children. Perform testing to ensure appropriate antibiotic therapy is administered, as beta-lactams are ineffective against M. pneumoniae. When testing, consider using both an NP and OP swab to improve the likelihood of detection in respiratory swab specimens. Promote and encourage routine and seasonal immunizations in your community. This will help prevent respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia. Review vaccination history with patients and encourage them to stay up-to-date on all recommended vaccines for optimal protection. CDC recently lowered the recommended age for pneumococcal vaccination for all adults from 65 to 50 years old. Promote healthy habits with patients to help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses. Additional Information Learn more about pneumonia from the CDC. Visit our website to learn more about healthy habits to protect against respiratory viruses. Visit our respiratory illness dashboard to see data about acute respiratory illness activity in our community.

Previously, the Fairfax County Health Department’s Public Health Youth Ambassador Program (PHYAP) has only been available to students during the daytime at select FCPS high schools. However, now, all eligible 10th through 12th grade students who live in Fairfax County will have the opportunity to become Youth Ambassadors through its new Evening and Weekend program. Whether a student attends private school, a faith-based school, is homeschooled, or goes to a non-partner Fairfax County Public School, they have the chance to jumpstart their secondary school and career engagement in the expanding community health field. PHYAP’s Evening and Weekend courses offer two exciting program options for students to choose from: High School and Young Adult Opioid Reduction Training Program Young Adult Mental Health Worker Program Both classes will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center on Monday - Thursday from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The program’s overall focus is to increase student interest in healthcare-related activities, while broadening the spectrum of professionals working throughout the industry. Each curriculum features learnings from two nationally known medical schools (the Morehouse School of Medicine and the George Mason School of Public Health), while acting as a catalyst towards meeting the Health Department’s goal to build generational health across the entire Fairfax region. Applications for the PHYAP Evening and Weekend Program are now available. Application deadline is October 22. Apply today! Learn more about the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program.