• Q: I had my flu shot in October. While waiting for my covid vaccine, I came down with covid. I have recovered and am doing well. When should I get my covid vaccine?

Chrissy Miller, RN, Employee Health and Wellness Manager, Maui Health: It’s generally recommended to wait for approximately three months after recovering from COVID-19 before getting vaccinated. However, there are certain circumstances where it might be advisable to get vaccinated earlier. It’s important to assess your personal risk of severe disease, consider the health and well-being of those around you, consider the current situation in your community, and be aware of the dominant variant causing illness in your area. Individuals who have had COVID-19 and forego vaccination afterward are at a higher risk of contracting the virus again compared to those who choose to get vaccinated post-recovery. You should also consult with your doctor on your individual health needs, concerns and risks. For more information about the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit www.cdc.org and search for COVID-19 vaccines.

• Q: What are the warning signs of a pressure ulcer and how can they be prevented?

Marian Horikawa-Barth, Chief Nurse Executive, Maui Health: Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are wounds that develop as a result of ongoing pressure that limits blood flow to the skin. People with limited mobility, who are unable to get out of bed or a chair, or are not able to change position on their own, are at greatest risk. Sometimes these wounds are difficult to heal and can become infected, so it’s important to take steps to prevent them if possible.

The most common places for pressure ulcers to develop are on the skin covering bony areas that press against the person’s bed or chair, including the tailbone, buttocks, and hips, and the shoulder blades and spine. Wheelchair users may also find sores on the backs of the arms or legs where they come into contact with the chair, while people in bed may develop them on the back of the head, or the skin under their heels, ankles, or knees.

Check the skin daily for warning signs. These can include tenderness, changes in color or texture, swelling, or draining fluid. A developing bedsore might also feel cooler or warmer to the touch.

Changing position frequently is one of the most important ways to prevent bedsores, because it relieves pressure and friction on the skin. Lift and move yourself if you’re able, or ask for help repositioning in bed or on your chair once an hour or so. Try to use cushions or a mattress that provide soft support and relieve any pressure points on your body. In some cases, you can also adjust the tilt of your wheelchair or the elevation of your bed to reduce friction or pressure.

Good skin care can also help. Clean the skin regularly with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry, and change bedding and clothing frequently, being careful to avoid bunching fabric that can lead to friction or pressure on the skin.

Bedsores can develop in hours or days, so contact your doctor if you notice one starting to form, and seek medical care immediately if you see signs of infection.

For non-healing wounds including pressure ulcers, you may need more advanced care. Maui Memorial Medical Center’s Wound Care and Hyperbaric Therapy Clinic provides a comprehensive approach to wound healing, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), a Medicare-approved treatment proven to accelerate wound healing in patients with diagnoses including but not limited to certain diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, surgical wounds and trauma wounds, and other non-healing wounds. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (808) 986-4500 or visit mauihealth.org/woundcare.

n Physicians, providers and administrative staff who practice at Maui Health hospitals and clinics answer questions from the public in Healthwise Maui, which appears on Thursdays. Maui Health operates Maui Memorial Medical Center, Maui Memorial Medical Center Outpatient Clinic, Kula Hospital & Clinic and Lana’i Community Hospital and accepts all patients. To submit a question, go to the website at mauihealth.org/healthwise.