Beginning in 1986 by the hands of former President Ronald Reagan, International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) occurs the third week of October every year. Since its inception, IIPW has spread from the United States to many other areas of the globe. By informing people on how to avoid infectious diseases related to medical malpractice, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has been able to benefit patients all around the world through IIPW. This year’s theme is antibiotic resistance.

What is Antibiotic Resistance?
An anti biotic is a drug that helps to control and cure diseases caused by bacteria. Anti-biotic resistance is when an anti-biotic is not as effective as it was due to the transformation of bacteria in a patient’s body.  Using an anti-biotic the wrong way can lead to resistance, which in turn leads to infectious diseases. According to APIC, around two million people get serious infections from bacteria that has become averse to the anti-biotic that was supposed to treat it in the first place. Further more, APIC states that at least 23,000 people die from these infections. It is an increasing public health threat, but by taking the right actions you can help prevent the proliferation of this problem.

How Do You Prevent AntiBiotic Resistance?
First, it is important to not take an antibiotic for viral infections like a cold, cough, or flu. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and do not fight viruses. Thus, only take antibiotics which are prescribed for you by a physician to treat the particular bacterial infection that you have.  In addition, APIC states that you should not save leftover antibiotics, or share them with anyone else.

If you or a loved one is a victim of an injury due to medical malpractice, the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson is here to help. As a nationally top-ranked law firm in our field, we provide assistance in cases of birth injuries, infectious diseases, and other conditions related to medical malpractice. Call our Long Island law firm at (516) 684-2900 for a free consultation.

The third week in October every year is International Infection Prevention Week. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the unwanted spread of infectious diseases through unsafe healthcare practices. Taking the right actions to infection prevention can help lead to a healthy future.

One of the best things you can do to help prevent infectious diseases is to take your medication specifically as directed by your healthcare provider. In addition, if you are receiving an injection, it is important to make sure that it is a clean needle that has not been used before. To learn more about how to prevent infectious diseases, take a look at the infographic above.

The Long Island law office of Pegalis & Erickson has been helping victims of avoidable negligence for over forty years. We have successfully represented individuals in cases involving infectious diseases, birth injuries, and other issues related to medical malpractice. Call us today for a free consultation at (516) 684-2900.

Cancer claims the lives of far too many people each year, including thousands of children. Although early diagnosis often offers the best chance of remission, many children with cancer are subject to misdiagnosis—a form of medical malpractice.  Often, parents of children with cancer  participate in awareness activities, so that the public becomes educated as to what to look for so that diagnosis and treatment can begin as early as possible.. The courage of the youngest of patients is recognized by Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which was established by President Obama in 2012. Since that time, many awareness activities have sprung up around the country during the month of September to support families coping with cancer and raise money for research initiatives.

Pediatric Cancer
Pediatric cancer is different from cancer that occurs in adults. It tends to be more aggressive, for example. Children are less likely to develop the cancers that commonly occur in adults, such as cancers of the lung, breast, and colon. Rather, they may instead develop leukemia, bone cancer, lymphoma, and brain cancer. According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO), about 13,400 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year. About a quarter of them do not survive their illnesses.

Awareness Events
Because of the aggressive nature of childhood cancers, it’s critical for doctors to diagnose them as early as possible. Awareness events,  are intended to ultimately lead to lower rates of pediatric cancers, through  raising funds for research. Parents of children who suffered from a delayed or wrongful diagnosis may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. At Pegalis & Erickson, our medical malpractice lawyers understand that no amount of money can compensate you for your child’s illness, but you can help pay for expensive treatments and other expenses which result when there is a serious illness. If you suspect that your child’s illness was not timely diagnosed or treated you can call our medical malpractice law firm in Long Island at (516) 684-2900 to learn how you can hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Almost half of Americans are caregivers for loved ones that are too sick or disabled to care for themselves. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just adult women that are caregivers. Both young adults and men make up a significant portion of this population. In addition, due to more than 5 million cases of Alzheimer’s and the increasing amount of childhood conditions, the number of caregivers is on the rise.  It is not easy caring for a loved one. Many caregivers need to be able to provide wound care and operate special medical equipment. With these people performing billions of dollars worth of unpaid work, it is more important now than ever that we appreciate these heroic individuals.

At the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, we would like to extend an enormous thanks to the millions of compassionate Americans that help to care for their loved ones. If you or your loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, we can help. Please call us at (516) 684-2900, or visit our Long Island office for more information.

According to the United Cerebral Palsy Association, almost one million Americans have Cerebral Palsy (CP).  For the individuals who suffer from CP, it is hard to control body movement due to birth injuries like brain damage. Since this disorder usually manifests before the age of three years old, CP not only affects the kids who are diagnosed with it, but also the parents of these children. Knowing more about what CP is, and some of its possible causes, can be crucial for a parent.

Understanding What It is
In general, CP is a term that encompasses a group of disorders that hinders an individual’s movement. CP is a non-progressive disorder, which means it does not worsen with time. It typically develops due to damage to the brain as it develops during pregnancy, during labor and delivery (this is where the link to our new obstetrical page should be!) or within the first couple years of birth. It is not uncommon for CP to lead to other impairments. These may include visual, hearing, learning, and speech handicaps, among others.

Possible Causes
Usually, the specific cause of CP is unknown for most individuals. However, research over the years has shown there are many possible causes that may cause a child to develop it. Infections that happen to the mother during pregnancy can cause damage to the developing brain of the fetus. In addition, the actual birthing process itself carries some complications that can cause CP. If a newborn incurs birth injuries related to the brain, or experiences significant oxygen deprivation during delivery, this can lead to CP. A serious case of jaundice caused by blood incompatibility between the mother and fetus can also contribute to its development. Referring to your trusted healthcare professional is a great way to understand more about these conditions.

For over forty years, the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson has been helping out families and individuals who have been the victim of unsafe healthcare practices. If your child has suffered from birth injuries that may be related to medical negligence, please do contact us at (516) 684-2900.After we talk with you, if necessary we can provide transportation to our Long Island office.