In many parts of the world mosquito spread illnesses cause much death and illness. Travelers are susceptible as well. In fact there are 1200 cases of malaria and 13 deaths a year in the United States from travelers who caught malaria.
Mosquito spread illness is passed by a mosquito biting someone who is infected. The mosquito becomes infected and then passes it on to those that they bite in the future. Dengue fever and malaria are the most common illnesses spread that way.
To prevent both illnesses it is recommended to try to avoid mosquito bites. It is suggested that you wear long sleeves and long pants. Also when sleeping one needs either netting for the bed, screened windows, or air conditioning. There are many different mosquito repellants. It is recommended to buy it before you leave and purchase one with the ingredient DEET.
If you are traveling to an area where there is malaria it is recommended to take medication to help prevent it. There are several different medications that can be used. They all need to be purchased before you leave. They are continued while you travel and then continued for a few weeks upon returning home.
As discussed in my last blog it is important to talk to your child's doctor or a travel medicine clinic 4-6 weeks before traveling. The Center for Disease Control has great information on their webiste as well. www.cdc.gov
Lastly, after you return home it is important to remind your child's health care provider of your travel if your child is sick. Things your child may catch abroad are not found in the United States and so they won't be on the forefront of their doctor's mind.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Immunizations for Kids for International Travel
International travel is very common and easy these days and so one might forget that extra planning is needed before you leave. It is recommended that you check out what immunizations are needed 4-6 weeks before you are planning to leave. The Center for Disease Control is a great resource for travel information. Also you can call our office or visit a travel medicine clinic such as Passport Health.
First you want to make sure your child is up to date with routine immunizations. If your child has not received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine (MMR) you need to talk to our office about getting it for them. This applies to travel to most places in the world.
The typhoid fever vaccine is needed for children over age two who are traveling to India and Southeast Asia. It only provides partial protection so you still need to be careful to eat cooked food and drink bottled or boiled water.
The yellow fever vaccine is required for travel to tropical Africa and South America. Some countries will not let you enter unless you have a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) completed by a certified travel medicine clinic.
The meningococcal vaccine is recommended for travel to Sub Saharan Africa and those making the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Center for Disease Control has a great website to check out before travel.
www.cdc.gov
In my next blog I will continue with information about malaria prophylaxis.
First you want to make sure your child is up to date with routine immunizations. If your child has not received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine (MMR) you need to talk to our office about getting it for them. This applies to travel to most places in the world.
The typhoid fever vaccine is needed for children over age two who are traveling to India and Southeast Asia. It only provides partial protection so you still need to be careful to eat cooked food and drink bottled or boiled water.
The yellow fever vaccine is required for travel to tropical Africa and South America. Some countries will not let you enter unless you have a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) completed by a certified travel medicine clinic.
The meningococcal vaccine is recommended for travel to Sub Saharan Africa and those making the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Center for Disease Control has a great website to check out before travel.
www.cdc.gov
In my next blog I will continue with information about malaria prophylaxis.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Valley Fever 101 Continued
Let's continue on today with information about diagnosis and treatment of Valley Fever.
The symptoms of Valley Fever include cough, chest pain, rashes, fever, fatigue, night sweats, headache, and weight loss. About 35% of those who catch it develop pneumonia. (remember from the last post that 60% of those who catch it do not have any symptoms) Only about 5% of people present with a rash. Even though it is called Valley "Fever" many people do not have a fever. If you have a prolonged cough and fatigue you might want to consult your doctor.
How is Valley Fever diagnosed? Most commonly it is diagnosed by serology. This means your blood is drawn and the lab looks to see if your body is developing antibodies to Cocci. If it is checked too early in the illness you might be falsely negative since your body hasn't had a chance to make antibodies yet. Chest Xray and sputum cultures can also be helpful in making the diagnosis.
How is Valley Fever treated? Most people do not need any treatment at all. The illness goes away by itself. Once you have had Valley Fever you cannot get it again. If someone is having prolonged symptoms then the medication fluconazole is commonly used. Often it is used for many months when someone needs treatment.
Well, that concludes Valley Fever 101. I learned some new things. I hope you did too.
The symptoms of Valley Fever include cough, chest pain, rashes, fever, fatigue, night sweats, headache, and weight loss. About 35% of those who catch it develop pneumonia. (remember from the last post that 60% of those who catch it do not have any symptoms) Only about 5% of people present with a rash. Even though it is called Valley "Fever" many people do not have a fever. If you have a prolonged cough and fatigue you might want to consult your doctor.
How is Valley Fever diagnosed? Most commonly it is diagnosed by serology. This means your blood is drawn and the lab looks to see if your body is developing antibodies to Cocci. If it is checked too early in the illness you might be falsely negative since your body hasn't had a chance to make antibodies yet. Chest Xray and sputum cultures can also be helpful in making the diagnosis.
How is Valley Fever treated? Most people do not need any treatment at all. The illness goes away by itself. Once you have had Valley Fever you cannot get it again. If someone is having prolonged symptoms then the medication fluconazole is commonly used. Often it is used for many months when someone needs treatment.
Well, that concludes Valley Fever 101. I learned some new things. I hope you did too.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Valley Fever 101
With last week's dust storm the health department is predicting a rise in cases of Valley Fever so I thought I would brush up on my knowledge about it. Here is a summary of what I learned.
Valley Fever is caused by a fungus ("cocci") that lives in the soil of hot dry areas. It lives in the top 2-8 inches of the soil so things such as dust storms and construction stir it up. 60% of all cases occur in Arizona. It also can be found in Mexico, California, and New Mexico.
One contracts Valley Fever by inhaling the spores. It is not contagious from one person to another. You also cannot catch it from or give it to your pet. It takes 1-4 weeks for someone to develop symptoms after being exposed to Valley Fever.
The good news is that most people do not get seriously sick from Valley Fever. In fact 60% of people who catch it have no symptoms and don't even know that they had it. 35% of people do have symptoms such as fatigue, cough, and fever. Many of these people again do not know that they have Valley Fever because many of them get better without treatment. Only 2-4% of people with Valley Fever get seriously sick.
Who is at risk for Valley Fever? Any age can get sick from Valley Fever from an infant to an older adult. It does occur more often in males and in those over 65 years of age. More serious symptoms are more likely to happen in those who are Native American and Hispanic.
That's enough for now, I don't want to bore you! I will continue this next week.
Valley Fever is caused by a fungus ("cocci") that lives in the soil of hot dry areas. It lives in the top 2-8 inches of the soil so things such as dust storms and construction stir it up. 60% of all cases occur in Arizona. It also can be found in Mexico, California, and New Mexico.
One contracts Valley Fever by inhaling the spores. It is not contagious from one person to another. You also cannot catch it from or give it to your pet. It takes 1-4 weeks for someone to develop symptoms after being exposed to Valley Fever.
The good news is that most people do not get seriously sick from Valley Fever. In fact 60% of people who catch it have no symptoms and don't even know that they had it. 35% of people do have symptoms such as fatigue, cough, and fever. Many of these people again do not know that they have Valley Fever because many of them get better without treatment. Only 2-4% of people with Valley Fever get seriously sick.
Who is at risk for Valley Fever? Any age can get sick from Valley Fever from an infant to an older adult. It does occur more often in males and in those over 65 years of age. More serious symptoms are more likely to happen in those who are Native American and Hispanic.
That's enough for now, I don't want to bore you! I will continue this next week.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Common Food Misconceptions
In talking to parents about what their child eats I have come across a number of common misunderstandings that I wanted to clear up today.
Fruit snacks are not a fruit.
Fruit snacks and roll ups are made with a small amount of fruit juice but otherwise are just sugar. They have no nutritional value and they also are hard on your child's teeth. Give your child a piece of fruit instead.
Yoghurt is not a fruit either.
Now, yoghurt is good for you but don't kid yourself that the fruit flavor or fruit at the bottom counts as a serving of fruit. Again, have a piece of fruit.
Yoghurt does not cure constipation.
There are probiotics in yoghurt that are good for your digestive system but they do not cure constipation. Constipation is best treated with more fiber in the diet which you get from fruits and veggies. The brand "Fiber One" makes a yoghurt that has added fiber but you have to buy that specific brand.
Natural and Whole Grain chips and soda are not good for you.
Advertisers have realized that we are becoming more conscious about our diet and so are relabeling junk foods to make them sound more healthy for you. Don't fall for it! Junk food is junk food.
Juice is not good for you.
Again the advertisers have worked hard to make juice sound good for you. It isn't. Many juices have just as much sugar as soda. Even if you squeeze the juice yourself you are missing out on the fiber and nutrients that you would get if you eat the fruit. We recommend that you eat the fruit or veggie and then have water to drink.
Fruit snacks are not a fruit.
Fruit snacks and roll ups are made with a small amount of fruit juice but otherwise are just sugar. They have no nutritional value and they also are hard on your child's teeth. Give your child a piece of fruit instead.
Yoghurt is not a fruit either.
Now, yoghurt is good for you but don't kid yourself that the fruit flavor or fruit at the bottom counts as a serving of fruit. Again, have a piece of fruit.
Yoghurt does not cure constipation.
There are probiotics in yoghurt that are good for your digestive system but they do not cure constipation. Constipation is best treated with more fiber in the diet which you get from fruits and veggies. The brand "Fiber One" makes a yoghurt that has added fiber but you have to buy that specific brand.
Natural and Whole Grain chips and soda are not good for you.
Advertisers have realized that we are becoming more conscious about our diet and so are relabeling junk foods to make them sound more healthy for you. Don't fall for it! Junk food is junk food.
Juice is not good for you.
Again the advertisers have worked hard to make juice sound good for you. It isn't. Many juices have just as much sugar as soda. Even if you squeeze the juice yourself you are missing out on the fiber and nutrients that you would get if you eat the fruit. We recommend that you eat the fruit or veggie and then have water to drink.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Reading to Your Child
We all know how important it is to read to our children when they are young. It helps them improve their speech and has them better prepared when they start school. I've discovered recently though that many parents stop reading to their children once they are old enough to read themselves. The value of reading to your child doesn't stop once they can independently read. It is a great way to spend time together, increase their vocabulary, and continue to contribute to good school performance. Both my kids enjoyed my reading to them until the junior high years.
So, when to read to them? Continuing the habit of reading to them before bedtime is one option. Our family would also read while waiting at appointments, riding in the car, and at breakfast. My daughter also liked to have me read while she did chores such as emptying the dishwasher. Talk about a win-win situation!
Now, what to read to them? I loved reading to my kids as they got older because the books were more interesting and I didn't have to read "Goodnight Moon" yet again. Ask your child what they would like you to read to them. You can also ask the librarian or other parents for suggestions.
Here are some of my family's favorites:
For younger grades:
Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park
Boxcar Children books by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum
For middle elementary grades:
Doctor Doolittle books by Hugh Lofting
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Mary Poppins books by P.L. Travers
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books by Betty MacDonald
For older elementary grades:
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Pendragon series by DJ MacHale
Happy Reading!
So, when to read to them? Continuing the habit of reading to them before bedtime is one option. Our family would also read while waiting at appointments, riding in the car, and at breakfast. My daughter also liked to have me read while she did chores such as emptying the dishwasher. Talk about a win-win situation!
Now, what to read to them? I loved reading to my kids as they got older because the books were more interesting and I didn't have to read "Goodnight Moon" yet again. Ask your child what they would like you to read to them. You can also ask the librarian or other parents for suggestions.
Here are some of my family's favorites:
For younger grades:
Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park
Boxcar Children books by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum
For middle elementary grades:
Doctor Doolittle books by Hugh Lofting
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Mary Poppins books by P.L. Travers
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books by Betty MacDonald
For older elementary grades:
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Pendragon series by DJ MacHale
Happy Reading!
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