Alex LaTrenta

Recent Posts

The Emerging Epidemic of Vaping-Associated Lung Injury: Is Our Youth’s Health Going Up in Smoke?

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By Alex LaTrenta, Greenwich Academy class of 2020

Fourth in a series of articles about the prevention, recognition, and treatment of public health threats in Greenwich. This August a young adult from Fairfield County went to the Greenwich Hospital Emergency Room (ER) with a dry cough, chills, and a chest x-ray which looked like early pneumonia. After several days of antibiotics, the patient returned to the ER with a worsening chest x-ray and received stronger antibiotics. Within days the patient rushed to the ER again, required supplemental oxygen, and in 24 hours was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit on a mechanical ventilator. Dr. Sandra Wainwright, Pulmonary and Critical Care Specialist at Greenwich Hospital, recognized the unique features of this case given that “when young people present with pneumonia they usually get better quickly.”

After hearing about the cases of vaping related lung injury in the Midwest, Wainwright suspected that this patient suffered from the same disorder right in our community. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Health, Alex LaTrenta, Caroline Baisley, Center for Disease Control, Dr. Sandra Wainwright, Greenwich Academy, vaping

CT Dept of Health Announces Third Death from Eastern Equine Encephalitis

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This year there have been four human cases of EEE in Connecticut three of which were fatal. At home one can prevent breeding of mosquitoes by eliminating standing water in tires, fire pits, buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers. Also repair any broken screens, clean clogged roof gutters, empty swimming pool covers, and drill holes in the bottom of plastic recycling containers stored outdoors. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Health, Alex LaTrenta, Michael Long, mosquitoes

Protecting You and Loved Ones from Lyme Disease: The Snake in the Greenwich Grass

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Do not use folklore treatments like nail polish, petroleum jelly or matches to detach a tick. Before and after removing the tick, clean the affected skin with rubbing alcohol or soap. Use tweezers to grab the tick and pull upward in slow steady motion—no twisting or jerking. If the head breaks off in the skin remove it with tweezers if possible or apply a small amount of ointment and let it heal. Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or container but do not attach it to tape. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Health, Alex LaTrenta, Greenwich Academy, Lyme disease

PHOTOS: Off-Beat Players Peach of a Musical Opens Thursday at GCDS

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Founder Malara said The Off-Beat Players hopes to continue “giving the community a dose of who we are and what we do” on Thursday and Friday August 2 and 3 at 7:30 pm and Saturday August 4 at 5:30pm at the Performing Arts Center at GCDS.

Tickets are $20 for adults; and $15 for seniors 65+/children 12 and under. Ticket sales and generous audience donations allow the Off-Beat Players to continue offering the community a magical summer musical experience. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arts, Alexis Killeen, Brian Ciccone, Cameron Kittell, Emily Bass, GCDS, Greenwich Country Day School, Jack Ullrich