Your Health Matters - May 2018

In this Issue

--Health Awareness: Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment

--Everyday Health: Back to School Check-Ups

--Good'n'Healthy: Chicken Bruschetta Burger

--News Worthy: AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore 2018 Recap

--Events: Charm Ball 2018

Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment

Hepatitis C is common - many people have it and do not know they do. 

Prevention - There is no vaccine to help prevent hep C. Certain people may have a higher risk of having hepatitis C, including:

• Current injection drug users
• Past injection drug users, including those who injected only one time or many years ago
• Recipients of donated blood, blood products, and organs 
• People who received a blood product for clotting problems made before 1987
• Hemodialysis patients or persons who spent many years on dialysis for kidney failure
• People who received body piercing or tattoos done with non-sterile instruments
• People with known exposures to the hepatitis C virus, such as
  • Health care workers injured by needlesticks
  • Recipients of blood or organs from a donor who tested positive for the hepatitis C virus
  • HIV-infected persons
  • Children born to mothers infected with the hepatitis C virus

Testing - Testing is easy and quick. Chase Brexton providers and our health care teams can test you for hepatitis C using a rapid test. You will get results in about 20 minutes.  The rapid test will show if you have developed any hepatitis C 'antibodies'. Antibodies are substances the body produces in response to a virus, and show that at some point in your life, you were exposed to the virus. If the rapid test comes back postitive for hepatitis C antibodies, a Chase Brexton provider will have you get a confirmation test to see if the virus is still present in your bloodstream. 

Treatment - Chase Brexton's Infectious Disease Center of Excellence has developed a comprehensive and effective treatment program which successfully cured 98 percent of hepatitis C patients in 2016.  Your treatment will include a team approach: your provider, a pharmacist, and a care coordinator will work closely with you. You will never feel alone in your care: your team will assist you with any questions, concerns, financial issues throughout. The medication program will take about 2 to 3 months. And your team will continue to follow up with you after treatment to make sure you are doing well.

By following Chase Brexton's hepatitis C treatment program, you have a high chance of being cured. Not all patients will be cured. If that is the case, your care team will find the best solutions and treatment options to help you lead a healthier life. Call 410-837-2050 to get into care today. Learn more here.

Back to School Check-Ups

Between June 1 and September 14, 2018: Get a free backpack and school supplies at your child's check-up!

Chase Brexton Health Care wants to help you make sure your child is healthy and prepared for a successful school year.

This year, getting your toddler, child, pre-teen, or teen ready for back-to-school is as easy as 1-2-3! All you need to do is:

1. Call Chase Brexton Health Care to schedule their check-up, sports physical, or vaccinations: 410-837-2050 x4300 (en Espanol: x4301)
2. Bring your child to their check-up between June 1 and September 14, 2018
3. Pick up a free backpack filled with school supplies at the time of the check-up

Make your child’s appointment at the Center nearest you: 410-837-2050. Click here for full details.

 

Chicken Bruschetta Burger

A delicious, healthy alternative for your summer barbecue!

Ingredients

1 pint grape tomatoes, chopped
3 sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed), finely chopped
1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced, divided
1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp sea salt, divided
1/2 tsp plus 1/8 tsp ground black pepper, divided
2 lb lean ground chicken
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 large egg, beaten
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tsp dried parsley
4 oz sliced mozzarella
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns

Steps

1. In a medium bowl, combine grape tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, 3 tbsp basil, 1 clove minced garlic, 1⁄8 tsp salt and 1⁄8 tsp pepper until combined; set aside in refrigerator.
2. In a large bowl, combine chicken, onion, egg, oregano, sesame seeds, parsley, remaining 1/4 cup basil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper until well combined. Shape half of chicken mixture into 4 patties.
3. Heat a grill or grill pan on medium-high. Grill patties for 4 to 5 minutes. Flip patties and place 1 oz mozzarella on top of each patty. Cook until an internal thermometer inserted into center of burgers reads 165°F, about 4 minutes more.
4. To serve, spoon 1/4 cup tomato mixture onto bottom half of each bun. Top with a burger patty and bun tops.

 

AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore 2018 Recap

AIDS Walk & Run Baltimore 2018 raised more than $80,000 to support Chase Brexton's HIV/AIDS testing, outreach, and treatment services. Metro Weekly has a full recap of the event here.

 

 

 

Charm Ball 2018

Join us on Saturday, September 22 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel as we celebrate 40 years of welcoming, affirming care with a special tour of Chase Brexton's past, present, and future! We'll revisit the challenges and victories of decades past and share an exciting glimpse of what's to come - all to provide support for the Hope Lives Here fund. Click here to buy tickets, and keep up to date on Charm Ball 2018 by signing up to stay in touch.