Steven Becker MD

01/21/2025

😂😂

03/04/2023

Now accepting new patients

12/19/2022

07/10/2020

04/25/2020

Offering Video, Telephone, Zoom or Facetime visits to our patients.

03/18/2020

Dr Steven Becker is providing the following information to help keep our patients informed about CoViD-19 / novel coronavirus.
What is coronavirus/COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new variant of a common family of viruses called coronaviruses. These viruses typically cause respiratory tract infections ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Though most commonly found in animals like cattle, cats and bats, some coronaviruses can infect and spread between humans, such as COVID-19 and SARS.

How is it transmitted?
Just like the flu, the coronavirus is spread primarily via droplets from coughing, and sneezing and proximity / contact with other people - as well as touching surfaces on which their droplets have landed. Or surfaces they've touched. There is evidence that the virus can persist for days on some surfaces, presumably where moisture and shade prevent viral protein degradation. There is some evidence that household pets may become infected with, and transmit the virus.
So sunlight and dry breeze may be helpful (though a hard rain can wash surfaces as well.). Until the threat of coronavirus has resolved, guide your pets away from contact with strangers.
And if they manage to nuzzle strangers and you then pat or hold them, don't touch your face until your hands – and your pets – have had a good wash.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms related to COVID-19 coronavirus infection range from mild to severe respiratory symptoms. Most patients have fever, dry cough and body aches. In more severe infections, symptoms may include shortness of breath and/or pneumonia. Symptoms typically appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure to an infected person. Most people become symptomatic between 5 and 9 days after exposure.

Am I at risk?
Recent travel to countries with high incidence (China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan) as well as US areas with high incidence (Washington state, California, New York, Miami, etc.) carries risk. Contact with local infection clearly is a risk as is public transportation or any area where close interpersonal proximity or contact may occur.

How can I prepare?
The COVID-19 coronavirus risk should be managed like other potential disruptions to your daily activities: prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Make sure you have at least a two-week supply of critical medications and supplies including those necessary for good hygiene.

What treatments are available?
There are currently no medications or vaccines approved for the treatment of COVID-19. Many studies have been initiated. Remdesivir, an investigational drug used for Ebola has shown promise and has been granted compassionate use for CoViD-19 Chloroquine and possibly hydroxychloroquine (antimalarials) may show some benefit as well.. In the absence of a vaccine or medication, good hygiene practices remain the primary method to address wide-spread transmission and supportive care remains the only medical treatment.

How can I protect myself?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend practicing good hygiene in the same way you would protect yourself against the flu:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating, as well as after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash or sneeze into the bend of your elbows.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

1. How to stay healthy.

General information:
The spread is via droplet transmission. Most droplets come from infected (and incubating) individuals’ cough, sneeze and touch.

If you aren’t in your own home - don’t touch anything above your neck until you’ve washed- or alcohol-ed your hands. Get under your nails. Wash very well.
Stay 6 feet away from anyone unless you’re certain they aren’t coughing sneezing or ill.
Even then- keep 3 feet away and remember if you’ve touched ANYTHING - don’t touch anything above your neck. Not your hair; not your face; not your head or ears or glasses. If you do, that area is suspect until you have washed or alcohol-ed the area and your hands.

What to do if you feel ill.

2. If you’re sick - see guidance below.

If you have symptoms of respiratory illness (e.g., fever, cough and/or shortness of breath), answer the following questions:
1. Have you recently traveled outside the country or anywhere in the US that has had a high incidence of coronavirus? Current countries at high risk include all Asian countries, Italy, and Iran.
• Yes
• No
2. Have you been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have the COVID-19 coronavirus illness? Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for 3 minutes or more.
• Yes
• No

If you answered YES TO ONE OR BOTH of these questions and have any respiratory symptoms:

• Stay home and call Dr Becker’s office (713-932-1924). A staff member will take your information and have Dr Becker contact you to provide additional information and discuss the best options for you.

• If you believe your symptoms are life threatening, go to the nearest hospital emergency department. We recommended that you call Dr Becker (713 932 1924 or his or Helene’s cell number which you all have, if you don’t call the office please and get it) who will then contact the emergency department immediately so we can provide you with arrival instructions.

As more information becomes available it will be posted on this website. Additional information is available at cdc.gov

08/29/2019

Well – this is distressing. Hepatitis C is increasing despite newer medications that can treat it.
After all the times I've reassured patients that weren't IV drug users, hadn't had a transfusion before 1992 or other obvious risk factors — the US Preventative Services Task Force yesterday recommended that all adults age 18 – 79 (and sometimes younger or older) be tested for hepatitis C.
This is a draft advisory — but it makes sense and almost certainly will be followed. While the incidence — even including IV drug users — is only 1 in 100,000, new cases have increased 350% between 2010 and 2016.
While it's primarily passed by blood contact, it is poorly transmitted via s*xual contact. Even though the risks are small — there is a risk if a person had s*xual contact with someone that had s*x with an IV drug abuser (or someone that had s*x with someone that had s*x with someone that had s*x with someone…). Unlikely but possible.
So… Get checked.
SBmd

Screening in adults 18-79 replaces more limited 2013 recommendation

05/16/2019

Genetic testing strikes again! This is a great step towards better understanding different types of lymphomas.

On April 18, a team of researchers led by Lisa Rimsza, M.D., a pathologist and director of the Mayo Clinic Molecular Diagnostics – Arizona Laboratory launched a new genetic test, the Lymph3Cx, which distinguishes between the two types of lymphoma.

05/03/2019

Get to know more about Dr. B.

05/03/2019

Do you need a measles vaccination?

If you ever had measles... No - you don't need a measles vaccination. You're immune for life.
Born before 1957? No. You're considered immune. Measles was so widely prevalent prior to 1957 -- and the virus is so infectious -- that even those people who didn't get classic measles were exposed to the virus and showed good evidence of immunity.
Born after 1957? Check Vaccination records for "Measles" or MMR vaccine. If you had 2 of either... or 1 of each... No.

Born 1957 - 1967? If you only have record of 1 Measles or MMR vaccine - the vaccines given before 1967 may not have been as effective. Without a second vaccination - you really can't be sure of immunity. A second vaccination provides 94% to 97% likelihood of immunity.

Only 1 measles or MMR vaccine after 1967? Tough call. I'd say that if you're out in public and there are cases of measles in your area... or you're travelling somewhere there's an outbreak (like New York or Israel or Disneyland... etc...) and/or you want peace of mind.. Yes.

Born in another country?
UK and Canada - considered immune if born before 1970; after that - probably vaccinated.

Otherwise... probably YES!
This won't be the last outbreak, I'm afraid. Don't get me started down that rabbit trail...

Peace of mind is definitely worth a little achiness for a couple of days.

(BUT - If you haven't been healthy or take immune suppressant medications check with your doctor - especially if that's me.)

A prescription may help but usually isn't necessary.

So go find your immunization records!
(Don't be lazy... they're there somewhere).

If you aren't immunized or aren't certain... and you're not a troll*... get an MMR!

In adults that get vaccinated, there is a fairly small incidence of relatively minor side effects: vaccine site soreness, minor fatigue or achiness for a day or two. Significant side effects of the vaccine are quite rare. I've seen them; I have stories. But if you're at risk, it's more than worth it. If uncertain of your health or if you take immune suppressants... check with your doctor. We love to chat.
SBmd

( *Note: I meant an under-a-bridge troll... not a Russian troll. Although the Russian military does immunize... so... )