John Fox MD Internal Medicine & Pediatrics

NRMC rural health clinics including NowCare Clinic, Primary Care Center and Rich Hill Family Medical Clinic will not be open Tuesday, February 16 due to winter weather conditions. However, at the hospital, Dr. Fox will be available for anyone seeking non-emergency care in his clinic on the second floor of the south tower at the hospital. To reach our office, please call (417) 448-2121

https://www.nrmchealth.com/child-well-visits-essential

Early detection and treatment for disease can significantly improve patient outcomes, and making sure that children see the doctor for well-child visits and vaccines is critical to their health. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, well-child exams decreased by 10.4%, resulting in 7,738 fewer exams between March and September in Missouri. If you've fallen behind on annual well-child checkup, please call us to get scheduled!

Here are 5 important tips for taking medicine safely as an older adult. https://missouripoisoncenter.org/are-you-taking-your-medic/

Although the state has opened up COVID-19 vaccination to Phase 1B, Tiers 1 & 2, NRMC has not yet received vaccines from the state of Missouri for this phase, no...r do we have an expected date of arrival. We, along with our community health partners are diligently working on plans so that as soon as we receive vaccines for Phase 1B, we are ready to spring into action to get those doses distributed. Please follow our page for updates. We will release information as soon as it's available. So who exactly is eligible right now? Here's the breakdown: Phase 1B - Tier 1: Protecting those who keep us safe and help during emergencies First Responders Non-Patient Facing Public Health Infrastructure Emergency Management and Public Works Emergency Services Sector Phase 1B - Tier 2: Protecting those who are at increased risk for severe illness Anyone aged 65 and older Any adult with one or more of the following conditions: Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Heart Conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies), Immunocompromised state from a solid organ transplant, Severe Obesity (BMI greater than 40), Pregnancy, Sickle Cell Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus If you would like to be placed on our list to be notified when we can schedule you for Phase 1B vaccination, you can either call our 24/7 call center at (417) 448-2120 OR complete the online form here: https://www.nrmchealth.com/covid19-vaccine In the interest of making scheduling as efficient as possible, PLEASE REMEMBER TWO THINGS: You only need to register for the notification list ONCE. If at any point you have called or requested to be on our notification list, we have your information and multiple requests are unnecessary and not helpful. If you use the online registration, there are only a few simple questions. Please carefully read and fill in the blanks with the information requested. We at NRMC are excited to help more individuals get vaccinated against COVID-19 and we greatly appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and patience during what is sure to be a lengthy process. We will do our best to provide the best experience possible for you.

FACT: COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines cannot give someone COVID-19. mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. They do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept.... COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the spike protein. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions. Next, the cell displays the protein piece on its surface. Our immune systems recognize that the protein doesn’t belong there and begin building an immune response and making antibodies, like what happens in natural infection against COVID-19. At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection. The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is those vaccinated gain this protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.

Since December 2019, #COVID19 has killed more people in the U.S. than influenza has in the last five years.

Do you know the signs and symptoms of sepsis? If you or your loved one has an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse, ACT FAST and get medical care IMMEDIATELY. http://bit.ly/2DvVTsF.

Last week we visited with KNEM/KNMO to discuss the importance of colonoscopy for cancer prevention. Give a listen!

Getting your flu vaccine is more important than ever this year. Flu vaccine helps to protect you and your loved ones from flu and can also reduce the burden on hospitals and healthcare systems. Learn more about flu vaccine benefits: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-benefits.htm

Flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child against flu and its potentially serious complications. Children younger than 5 years old, especially those younger than 2, are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications. What parents need to know about flu and flu vaccine: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/parents.htm

We will be out of the office on Monday in observance of Labor Day. Have a happy, healthy holiday!

If you suffer from chronic pain, you might benefit from this free 6-week program offered through the University of Missouri extension beginning Wednesday, Sept 2.

Listen to the NRMC PRIDE Report with KNEM/KNMO as Dr. Fox discusses his vaccination program. https://buff.ly/2XrKEc8

Get the most out of your doctor's visit by being an active participant in your care. And remember, it’s OK to express your concerns if a recommendation doesn’t make sense or fit with your goals or values. We want to be your PARTNER in health!

Take up active hobbies this summer like walking and low impact exercises. It is better and safer to be active for short periods of time regularly than to try an...d be active for long periods when you are not used to it. Whether inside or outside, remember to enjoy exercise while physically distancing. Learn more about staying active during quarantine and other safe activities to try this summer at oneforallmo.com/summer. #stopthespread See more

Soon, the hot July weather will here to stay for a few weeks. Learn how to avoid, spot, and treat heat-related illness with these safety tips!

Cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control. This recommendation is based on what we know about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, paired with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that shows cloth face coverings reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth. COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), so the use of cloth face coverings is particularly important in settings where people are close to each other or where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

Magnetic toys are fun to play with however, when swallowed, can cause life-threatening injuries. If you have questions or concerns about high-powered magnetic toys or you suspect your child has ingested one, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222