A Newsletter Provided by Benchmark Research
Fall 2016
The
Think you have the
flu? Get treatment
right away!
WHERE
TO FIND US
!Austin, TX
3100 Red River, Suite 1
Austin, TX 78705
P: (512) 478-5416
Whileafluvaccineisalwaysrecommended,itisnoguaranteethat
youwillnotgettheflu.
Ifyoudogettheflu,orthinkyouhavetheflu,seeyourdoctorright
away.Thereisatreatmentop=onavailablebutyouhavetoact
fast!
Thereareprescrip=onmedica=onscalled“an=viraldrugs”thatcan
beusedtotreattheflu.An=viraldrugsareprescrip=onmedicines
thatfightagainstthefluinyourbody.Aprescrip=onfromyour
doctororhealthcareproviderisrequiredforan=viraldrugs.
Thesean=viraldrugscanlessentheseverityofsymptomsandthe
lengthoftheillness.Theycanalsohelppreventseriousflu
complica=onssuchaspneumonia.
Forthemosteffec=vetreatment,thesean(viraldrugsneedtobe
startedwithin24to48hrsa6ertheonsetofsymptoms.Star=ng
themlatercans=llbehelpful,especiallyifyouareinahighrisk
category;however,thesoonerthebeIer.
!
Contentsource:CentersforDisease
Control(www.cdc.gov)
!
Fort Worth, TX
4504 Boat Club Rd, Set 400A
Fort Worth, TX 76135
P: (817) 238-7254
!
San Angelo, TX
3555 Knickerbocker Road
San Angelo, TX 76904
P: (325) 716-1355
!
New Orleans, LA
4517 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Metairie, LA 70006
P: (504) 888-9493
!
Sacramento, CA
4345 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95864
P: (916) 476-2805
!
San Francisco, CA
450 Sutter, Suite 1125
San Francisco, CA 94108
P: (415) 398-0173
!
Toll Free Number
(888) 902-9605
www.benchmarkresearch.net
A Newsletter Provided by Benchmark Research
FALL 2016
!
!
ZikaVirus:WhatYouNeedToKnow
!
AccordingtotheCentersForDiseaseControl(CDC),Zikaisspreadmostlyby
thebiteofaninfectedAedesMosquito.Thesemosquitoesareaggressive
daytimebiters,butcanalsobiteatnight.Zikaviruswas?irstdiscoveredin
1947andoutbreakshadinitiallyonlybeenreportedintropicalAfrica,
SoutheastAsia,andthePaci?icIslands.Currentlyhowever,thevirushas
spreadtotheUnitedStatesandtodatethereare1,600con?irmedcasesof
Zikavirushereathome.
!WhatarethesymptomsofZikaVirus?
•
Manypeopleinfectedwon’thavesymptomsorwillonlyhavemildsymptoms.Themostcommonare
fever,rash,jointpain,andred/pinkeyes(conjunctivitis).Othersymptomsmayinclude,musclepainand
headache.Symptomscanlastforseveraldaystoaweek.Peopledonotusuallyfeelsickenoughtoseek
treatmentandveryrarelydiefromthevirus.
OnceapersonhasbeeninfectedwithZika,theyaremorelikelytobeprotectedfromfutureinfections.
•
!WhyisZikaVirusmoredangerousforsomepeople?
•
Zikainfectionduringpregnancycancausebirthdefectsinthebrainofthefetuscalledmicrocephaly
(smallhead/poorbraindevelopment)andotherseverefetalbraindefects.Otherproblemsdetected
amongfetusesandinfantsinfectedwiththevirusbeforebirthinclude,defectsoftheeye,hearing
problems,andimpairedgrowth.
!Isthereavaccineavailable?
•
Currentlythereisnovaccineavailable,howevereffortstomakeonehavebegun.TheNationalInstitutes
ofHealthannouncedthelaunchofaclinicaltrialofanexperimentalZikavaccine.Thevaccinewill
betestedin80healthyvolunteers,ages18-35,atthreelocationsaroundtheUnitedStates.Itisthe
secondsuchstudytobeginthissummer.InovioPharmaceuticalsprovidedthe?irstdoseofitsZika
vaccineonJuly26,2016.
!HowisZikavirusspread?
•
DuringsexwithapersonwhohasZikatohisorhersexpartners.Fromapregnantwomantoherfetus
duringpregnancy,andalthoughnotcon?irmed,theCDCbelievesitislikelyZikacanbepassedthrough
bloodtransfusion.
!HowdoIpreventZika?
•
ThebestwaytoprotectyouandyourfamilyfromZikaistopreventmosquitobites.Warelongsleevedshirtsandlongpants.Takestepstocontrolmosquitoesinsideandoutsideofyourhome.Treat
clothingwithpermethrin.UseEPARegisteredinsectrepellentsandalwaysfollowtheproductlabel
instructions.PertheCDC,whenusedasdirected,theserepellentsareprovensafeandeffectiveevenfor
pregnantandnursingwomen.
!WhattodoifIhaveZika?
•
!
Getplentyofrestanddrink?luidtopreventdehydration.Takemedicationssuchasacetaminophento
reducefeverandpain;howeverdonottakeaspirinorothernon-steroidalanti-in?lammatorydrugs.If
youaretakingmedicineforanothermedicalcondition,talktoyourhealthcareproviderbeforetaking
additionalmedication.
!
www.benchmarkresearch.net
Formoreinformation:www.cdc.gov/zika
Fall 2016
Greater Gift Initiative!
Life Saving Vaccines for Children in Need!
!
The Greater Gift Initiative gives one vaccine to one child!
in a developing country every time one clinical trial!
volunteer makes the important decision to participate in a!
vaccine study.!
!
Since 2010, the Greater Gift Initiative has donated over!
70,000 vaccines to children in developing countries as a!
way to give back and thank the volunteers who participate!
in clinical trials and contribute to the advancement of!
health worldwide.!
!
For more information, go to
www.greatergiftinitiative.org.
FluVaccine:Whyisitsoimportantinchildren?
Althoughthefluisrarelyseriousinhealthyadults,itcanbemuchmoredangerousinchildren.Didyouknowthat
liIleonesaretwotothree=mesmorelikelytogetit?
AccordingtostudiesbytheCenterforDiseaseControl(CDC),nearly20percentofallUSresidentsgettheflueach
year,andahigherpercentageofthesepa=entsarechildren.TheCDCalsoreportsthateachyearanaverageof
20,000childrenundertheageof5arehospitalizedbecauseofinfluenza(flu)complica(ons.Lastfluseason
thereweremorethan140flu-relateddeathsreported.Thesenumbersarestaggeringwhenyouthinkaboutthe
factthatthefluisvaccine-preventable.
Themainreasonthatourchildrenareatgreaterriskisduetothefactthattheirimmunesystemsarenotfully
maturedandcannotfightoffinfec=onsintheearlystages.Asaresult,childrenaremoresuscep=bletothegerms
thattheyareexposedto,notonlyintheairbutalsoatschoolsordaycares.Youngchildrenarealsoatahigherrisk
offlurelatedcomplica=onssuchasPneumoniaandBronchi=s.
Childrenwhohaveothermedicalcondi=ons,suchasDiabetes,Asthma,MetabolicandImmunedisordersareat
anevengreaterrisk.
TheAmericanAcademyofPediatrics(AAP)hasupdatedtheirfluvaccinerecommenda(onstoadvisethatthe
youngestkidsshouldhavetwoini(aldosesofvaccinetobuildimmunity.Inaddi=on,itisrecommendedthat
childrenbegintobevaccinatedassoonasthevaccineisavailable.Aseasonalfluvaccineisthemosteffec=ve
methodtoprotectagainstthefluanditsrelatedcomplica=ons.
Possiblesideeffectsofthefluvaccinearetypicallymildandyourchildwillnotgettheflufromthevaccine.
AccordingtoDr.HenryBernstein,aspecialistinpediatricsatHeathShore-LIJHealthSysteminNewHydePark,NY,
“GeLngthefluismuchworsethangeLngvaccinated!
ContentSource:cdc.gov,aap.org,webmd.com,healthline.com,careworkshealth.com
www.benchmarkresearch.net
A Newsletter Provided by Benchmark Research
FALL 2016
FluMist Vaccine Not Recommended for 2016-2017 Flu Season!
!
According to the CDC, the needle-free FluMist influenza vaccine
(LAIV-live attenuated influenza vaccine) hasn’t protected children or
adults as intended and should not be used. In the last few flu seasons,
it was reported that the nasal spray flu vaccine was only 3% effective
in preventing the flu.
In comparison, the influenza vaccine (flu shots) (IIV-inactivated
influenza vaccine, RIV-recombinant influenza vaccine) was
approximately 63% effective in fighting against the flu.
!
There is no clear reason why the vaccine is not working. The manufacturer of the vaccine contradicts the
CDC’s findings, but they are working with the CDC to solve the problem and better understand the data. The
CDC is working to ensure the flu shot vaccine demand is supplied where needed.
!
FluMist is a live, but weakened flu vaccine, as opposed to the flu shot which is an inactivated influenza
vaccine. It worked well in the past, and needle-phobes and children prefer it. However, experts agree that the
flu shot is the best way to combat the flu this season.
!
Flu vaccines are different from some other vaccines. The effectiveness varies from year to year depending on
different influenza strains and can be affected by a number of reasons; the person being vaccinated, brand of
vaccine, and vaccine viruses. The flu vaccines on the market protect against three or four strains of the flu.
Regardless of the effectiveness of any flu vaccine, it is recommended that everyone six months and older
should be vaccinated against influenza every year. Vaccinated people are less likely to get ill and die from the
flu if vaccinated, regardless of the type of vaccine…needle or nasal mist.
So, get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.
Be prepared-Be protected- Be vaccinated!
65 or OLDER? WE HAVE STUDIES FOR YOU
Benchmark Research conducts studies for all ages, including seniors.
Examples of our past and current trials include: Flu, Pneumonia, and Shingles Vaccines,
Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and many others.
!
If you know someone 65 or older that may be interested in research, please give them our number
so they can learn more about the trials in their area. Study related medication and tests are
provided at no cost to the participant.
www.benchmarkresearch.net
FALL 2016
A Newsletter Provided by Benchmark Research
!
!
!
Benchmark Urgent and Family Care
Coming Soon!
!
Austin-New Orleans- Sacramento
KEEP YOURSELF
UP TO DATE
!
Our database holds
thousands of
individuals interested
in our studies.
How can you increase
your chances of being contacted?
!
state of the art Urgent & Family Care centers.
•
•
•
We will offer urgent care, wellness, and
•
Benchmark Research is opening brand new,
family medicine. Everything from allergies
and colds to minor emergencies.
!
Update your email address
Tell us what studies you are interested in
Keep your phone number and address
current
Update your info via phone or on our
website- www.benchmarkresearch.net
!
Our Urgent & Family Care centers will be
conveniently located in the same buildings
as our research centers and will be staffed
PEDIATRIC STUDIES ARE
IMPORTANT TOO!!
Kids and Teenagers need well controlled trials to
with top Physicians and medical staff in
be performed for the medications they take, just like
order to meet the medical needs of our
adults do. Benchmark Research has done pediatric
!patients.
trials for vaccines; like the Flu, TDAP, Meningitis
We have several job opportunities for
physicians , medical assistants, and
radiology technicians. Please send your
resume through our website at:
www.benchmarkurgentcare.com
www.benchmarkresearch.net
and HPV vaccines, as well as medications for
asthma, ear infections, colds and more.
!
If you have a child between the ages of 6 months to
17 years, call 1-888-902-9605 to
add them to the database.
A Newsletter Provided by Benchmark Research
FALL 2016
SNACK IDEAS FOR KID
S!
AppleMoons:
s!
Frozen Yogurt
Dots For Little
Hands!
in
ipp
Sliceanappleintocrescents.Spreadwith
ck
Sna
peanutoralmondbuIerandpressgranola
ontop.
D
Turnyogurtintoafunfinger
foodthatbabiesandtoddlers
canfeedthemselves.The
cooldotscanalsohelp
soothesoregums.
1. Spoonyogurtintoa
Ziplocbag.
2. Snipoffonecornerof
thebag.Makethecut
verysmall!
3. Pipedimesizeddotsonto
aparchmentlinedcookie
sheet
4. Freezeun=lsolid,2-3
hours.Whenfrozen,use
aspatulatoremovedots.
Theycanbestoredinan
air=ghtcontainerinthe
freezer.
www.benchmarkresearch.net
J
Cla
PB&
ssic
Swim
ming
Fish
A Newsletter Provided by Benchmark Research
Our New
FALL 2016
Orleans
Team Dr
essed Up
For a
Local Kid
s Event
Did You Know?
!
BenchmarkResearchhasareferralprogram!
DoyoujustneedaliIleextramoneytomakeends
meet?Areyousavinguptogetsomething
youreallywant?
Youcouldearnextramoneyjustbytellingpeople
aboutus!Wordofmouthgoesalongwayandwe
alwaysneedmorepeopletopar=cipate.
TellsomeoneaboutBenchmarkResearchandour
studies!Ifthatpersonqualifiesforatrial,receives
studymedica=onorvaccine,andlistsyouasthe
personwhoreferredthem,youmaybequalifiedto
receiveareferralrewardof$50.00perpersonyou
referred.Thatcouldreallyaddupquick!
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS
-Virginia Loudermilk- CRC, Fort Worth
-Lauren Christal, CCRC, Austin
-Angela Penning, Admin. Asst., New Orleans
-Kim Brittain,-VP, Strategic Develop. & Analytics
-Jennifer Bacchi-VP, Human Capital Mgmt.
!
Whatareyouwai9ngfor?
!
!
COME VISIT OUR NEW HOME PAGE:
www.benchmarkresearch.net
Benchmark Research has a new website! Logon to learn more about our
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