IMPORTANT Request from the CDC

As you all know, a few weeks ago, Peggy's urine/stool sample tested positive for Salmonella. She took the antibiotic Bactrim and tests show that she is now clear of the Salmonella. That's the good news.

Cases of Salmonella must be reported to the Center for Disease Control and we have done so. I have been talking with the CDC about Peggy's case and they tell me that they need to know HOW Peggy contracted the Salmonella. While we think that most likely it came from a contaminated juice bottle in the kitchen fridge (I've since cleaned/disinfected the fridge), there is a chance that it could have been passed to Peggy by a caregiver.

The CDC has asked that all of Peggy's caregivers be tested. Even if you are not having symptoms, you could be a carrier and contagious to Peggy and others. If this type of Salmonella is in your gut and you are a carrier, you need to be treated by antibiotics.

The CDC says that anyone who has cared for Peggy in the past few months, both primary and B caregivers (anyone who has helped lift her in the bed, taken out the trash, etc.), should go to their doctor and ask that a stool culture be taken to test for Salmonella.  The MD can either take the stool sample at the office or have the caregiver go to the labs to do it. The labs must have an order from a physician in order to perform the test. 

Each insurance is different according to how much of it they will cover, so the caregiver should contact the insurance company to see how much of it they will cover.  However, this is a requirement for the caregiver to take the test.  Health care workers that are carrying Salmonella or other such bacteria in their systems are at-risk to the individuals they provide care for.

If you do not have insurance or your insurance won't cover this expense, please let me know and I can talk with the CDC about having you go directly to the CDC lab.

I know that this is a pain in the ass and I'm so sorry. However, I have spoken at length with the CDC and they stand firm that we need to take care of this and report back to them ASAP. Dr. Davis and HCA also feel strongly that we need to comply with the CDC request just to be on the safe side for Peggy's and all of our safety.

I'm sure many of you will have questions...please don't hesitate to email or call me. Thanks!