Women Physicians OB/GYN Blog

WPMG just received a new shipment of the H1N1 vaccine. Our high risk patients have now all been vaccinated so we can make this available to anyone who would like to be protected from this flu.

The experience thus far with this vaccine has shown that it is as safe as the regular seasonal flu vaccine. It has also been shown to be effective in preventing what can be a serious flu epidemic in previously healthy people, at times resulting in hospitalizations and death. We hope that this epidemic has peaked and the outbreaks will be decreasing, but once an epidemic peaks, 50% of the hospitalizations and 50% of the deaths are still yet to occur.

Unless you have a contraindication, we at WPMG recommend that everyone have this vaccination. Even if you are at low risk of complications, you could unknowingly pass it on to someone else who is at high risk of complications since people can transmit the virus to others 2 days before the symptoms occur.

If you would like to have this vaccination at our office for a $25 injection fee, please call first at 650-988-7550 to confirm a time to come in.

Dr. Katherine Sutherland of WPMG will be giving a free talk entitled “Teen Sexuality — Everything a Parent Does NOT Want to Know” on 2/2/10 from 7 to 8:30 pm at the beautiful new El Camino Hospital in Mt. View in Conference Room A/B on the lower level. Space is limited. To reserve a seat RSVP to education@doctorcarlton.com

Teens are undergoing changes in their bodies, hormones, and emotions. With this comes strong and
sometimes confusing sexual feelings. Generally the bodies mature more quickly than the judgment. And yet sexuality is a topic in which privacy is critically important and so parents often find it difficult to know what their child is thinking or doing. Come and learn the reality of sexuality in this age group and in our community. Are you sending the right messages? Asking the right questions? What are the risks? STDs? Pregnancy? Sexting? Date rape? Gay and bisexual relations? There will be adequate time for questions and interaction.

This program is part of a free educational program for parents of teens and young adults sponsored by Dr. Pamela Carlton, a specialist in adolescent medicine and eating disorders. This monthly lecture series focuses on topics around nutrition, exercise and the psychological health of teens and
young adults. To learn more about the program and view upcoming topics, go to www.doctorcarlton.com.

Women Physicians wants to bring health news quickly and effectively to our patients and the community. A convenient way for many of you to be notified of updates is through your pages on Facebook so we’ve entered the modern era of networking! As a launch for our new page on Facebook, we are offering a drawing for our “premier” fans. Just sign onto our WPMG page and post a brief comment telling us what you like best about Women Physicians Ob-Gyn. You can do this by signing onto your Facebook account and searching for Women Physicians Ob/Gyn or click this link. All of our “fans” who post comments by 2/1/2010 will be eligible for a drawing of a $25 Macy’s gift certificate. Your friends on Facebook are welcome to join our “fan” club as well.

Did you know we publish a quarterly on-line newsletter? Our latest newsletter is now available at http://www.elcaminoobgyn.com/2010.htm. You’ll find information on mammograms, dense breasts, how to look and feel your best, and teen sexuality. You are welcome to share our newsletters with friends and family.