When most people think of shingles, they think of seniors. While people over the age of 60 are most likely to get shingles, younger adults can as well. A combination of stress, poor diet and a traumatic event - such as the death of a loved one - can tax your immune system. If that happens, and if you have had the chickenpox before, you are at risk for developing shingles - nearly 1,000,000 people get shingles in the U.S. each year.
Ask anyone who has had shingles and they’ll tell you that it is a very uncomfortable, sometimes excruciating, experience. After you’ve had the chickenpox virus, the virus remains inactive within your nervous system. When your immune system is compromised and the virus is reactivated, the virus is released from nerve cells and travels down the nerves to the skin region - thus making the skin of the affected area hypersensitive.
A recent article on CNN is worth taking note of (http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/24/hand.washing.helpful/). Why? Because it makes one thing very clear — one of the best ways to stop the progression of N1H1 is by ensuring that ill individuals stay home. No one is saying that hand-washing isn’t important. In fact, scrubbing your hands for a good 20 seconds is highly recommended. But, especially in the case of children, how many of us really scrub that long? Or as often as we should? We an make handwashes available in school and tell our children to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth throughout the day — but it takes one uncovered sneeze, in one classroom to spread infection.
Not everyone can stay home with their sick children — that is a serious problem and one that needs to be addressed. If you’ve had the flu, let alone N1H1, think of how terrible you felt. Do you really expect your child to sit in a classroom feeling like that? Now is the time for people to work with their employers to discuss options, and for employers to put in place family-friendly plans that make it possible for parents to tend to their children. If possible, discussion childcare options with family members who may be available. Be proactive.
So be vigilant. Wash your hands. Watch your family for signs of headache, sore throat and fever — keep them home and let them rest. It’s time for us to come together in our communities to make this possible.
As an ER physician, I’ve seen firsthand the difficulty parents of children with asthma have in deciding whether or not to bring their child to the ER. Parents don’t want to put their child at risk, yet they don’t want to make an unnecessary trip to the ER. The best advice? Put together a plan with the advice of your pediatrician and stick to it. In this manner, when your child is having an asthma attack you have clear indicators and steps to follow. Ask your pediatrician to help you determine what symptoms and - if your child uses one - what peak flow meter readings indicate a trip to the ER.
In general, if you notice any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care.
- Bluish or gray lips, skin or fingernails.
- A peak flow reading below 50% that doesn’t improve after giving your child medication.
- Severe symptoms that reappear, peak or don’t go away despite repeated use of medication. If symptoms return quickly - within 5 to 10 minutes of using medication, contact your doctor.
- Difficulty speaking.
- Retractions - areas of skin around the base of the neck or between the ribs that pull in when your child inhales.
Finally, one of the biggest risk factors that triggers asthma is exposure to second hand smoke. This means parents shouldn’t smoke in the home or car at any time, because smoke permeates drapes, carpet, and fabric, and this can set off an asthma attack.
As the nation debates a new health care plan, there is one critical element to consider - reducing unnecessary trips to hospital emergency rooms (ERs). According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, each year in America unnecessary trips to the ER cost $18 billion. Emergency rooms are designed for those with injuries and illnesses that demand immediate care and/or are life-threatening.
It can be difficult to know whether you should visit a walk-in clinic or an emergency room - following are some guidelines. In the event that you are uncertain whether urgent care is necessary, call your doctor. If you are unable to reach your doctor, then visit the Emergency Room.
Call 911 or immediately go to the Emergency Room if you experience the following.
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