Cass Regional Medical Center | Wellness Matters | Fall 2017

Heather Bloesser, DO Cass Regional Medical Center is pleased to welcome family practice physician Heather Bloesser, DO, to Harrisonville Medical Clinic, located in Suite 210 of Rock Haven Medical Mall. Dr. Bloesser holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. She received her medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. SCHEDULE A VISIT WITH DR. BLOESSER To make an appointment, call 816-380-7470 . 6 cassregional.org | 816-380-3474 | Fall 2017 Vaccines can prevent many illnesses. Some of those vaccines, like the one for flu, are well-known. But others—like the pneumococcal vaccine—don’t seem to get the same attention. This vaccine helps prevent some kinds of pneumonia. You and your family may be among those who should get the shot. A bad bug Like the flu, pneumonia can make you very sick. It causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with pus and liquid. That makes it hard for oxygen to get into your bloodstream and for your body’s cells to work the way they should. In some cases, pneumonia can lead to death. Very young children and older adults are at greatest risk of getting pneumonia. People with chronic health problems and weak immune systems are also at great risk. Staying safe There are two pneumococcal vaccines. One is for children younger than 2 years old, all adults 65 years or older, and people 2 years or older with certain risk factors. Most kids get this vaccine in four doses starting when they’re 2 months old. They get the last dose when they’re between 12 and 15 months old. Children who didn’t get the vaccine on schedule can still be protected. They won’t need four doses, though. The second type of pneumococcal vaccine is for all adults 65 and older and for people 2 through 64 years old who are at high risk for pneumococcal disease. You are at high risk if you: w w Have long-term health problems, such as heart or lung disease, asthma, or diabetes. w w Would have a hard time fighting an infection because of illness or its treatment. w w Smoke tobacco. w w Live in a nursing home or long-term care facility. Most people need only one dose of this pneumococcal vaccine. Some people, though, will need a second dose. If so, you get it five years after the first one. Both pneumococcal vaccines are considered very safe. Side effects may include pain or redness at the site of the shot and a fever. Are you protected? Talk to your doctor to learn more. Ask if or when you or your loved ones should get this vaccination. Sources: American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Immunization Action Coalition Jayme L. Decker, DO The staff at Harrisonville Family Medicine, located in Suite 100 of Rock Haven Medical Mall, are pleased to welcome family practice physician Jayme L. Decker, DO, to their group. Dr. Decker holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and pre-health from Avila University. She received her master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCU) in 2009 and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from KCU in 2014. Dr. Decker completed a one-year fellowship in osteopathic manipulative medicine and has a special interest in manipulative medicine and women’s health. She is double board-certified in family medicine. SCHEDULE A VISIT WITH DR. DECKER To make an appointment, call 816-380-3582 . PNEUMONIA Who needs the shot? Harrisonville has two new primary care doctors