Resource Articles

Cold weather can be fun and festive, but it can also present stressful challenges to those who have to brave the weather. Though you may be California dreamin', don't neglect to prepare for the challenges that winter poses.

What is pertussis and how is it spread? Pertussis is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract which generally begins with mild upper respiratory symptoms and can progress to severe attacks of coughing (paroxysmal stage), often with a characteristic inspiratory whoop. It is caused by Bordetella pertussis. Transmission occurs by close contact with respiratory secretions from an infected person.

The Return to Work Program allows you to continue working after a job-related illness or injury even when you cannot do all of your regular duties. This lets you continue working, earning pay, receiving benefits and lets you save your accrued time-off for other needs.

The Occupational Health Clinic Quit Rx Program offers counseling and treatment services for smokers ready to give up smoking.

People who work with animals have an occupational risk of allergies, which can lead to occupational asthma. To prevent asthma, it is important to find individuals who are starting to have allergy symptoms when they work with animals. By identifying these people and helping protect them with a special respirator, we can reduce their exposure to animal allergens and reduce their risk of asthma.

Instructions for employees and their supervisors on how to file FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) paperwork. Filing for FMLA allows qualified employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave for serious health conditions.

If you are a Vanderbilt faculty or staff member and you have an injury caused by your work, the Occupational Health Clinic is here to help you. You do not have to schedule an appointment to be evaluated for a new work injury.

Police Officers at Vanderbilt undergo rigorous physical training at the Police Academy. Officers are evaluated prior to training using state guidelines to ensure their musculoskeletal and cardiovascular fitness to safely undergo Police Academy training.

Smallpox is an acute, contagious illness characterized by fever, backache, and severe headache followed by the appearance of an eruption of papules and vesicles which become pustular by the eighth day. Although smallpox disease has been eradicated worldwide, researchers sometimes still use the vaccinia virus, which is the virus used in the smallpox vaccine. These research faculty and staff may obtain smallpox vaccine from OHC at no charge.

Some of the most common respiratory diseases healthcare workers may be exposed to include pertussis (whooping cough), varicella (chickenpox), tuberculosis, meningococcal infections, and measles. Any time you have an exposure to one of these illnesses for which OHC assesses your contact with the patient, you must fill out a Tennessee First Report of Injury form.