Measles Strikes with Highest Record Since 2001
The word “epidemic” might be a little strong, but the statistics are certainly worthy of noticing. “The Detroit News,” has reported that four of the 64 cases of measles reported this year, occurred in Michigan. Two families were affected making these the highest outbreak of measles since 2001.
“Measles is a very contagious virus. If it is not under control, a significant outbreak can occur and the best way to prevent an outbreak is to get immunized. If a child, or an adult for that matter, is not immunized, they will be at a great risk of getting sick. All of the people who had measles in Michigan for the past eight years were not immunized, so the vaccination does work.”
James McCurtis, Jr., Michigan Health Department
The Michigan measles cases brought the total to 64 as of May 1, and according to news reports in February, 2008, another outbreak of the disease began in San Diego. A report said that 12 children were confirmed with measles at the end of February, with another 70 children being monitored as possibly infected.
Other areas include:
“During January 1–April 25, 2008, a total of 64 preliminary confirmed measles cases were reported from the following areas: New York City (22 cases), Arizona (15), California (12), Michigan and Wisconsin (four each), Hawaii (three), and Illinois, New York state, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (one each).”
CDC
The vast bulk of the cases of measles reported show the lack of the measles vaccine. Much of the controversy around the measles vaccine is the concern about vaccinations and autism. Although no connection has been proven, many parents continue to insist that their child’s autism was caused by vaccinations given before the age of two, including the measles vaccine.
The CDC has prepared a very thorough explanation of the measles vaccine for concerned parents. Included on this page:
- Information about measles
- Information about the vaccine to prevent measles
- Explanations of various beliefs about vaccines and the autism theory
- General vaccination safety
- Who should and should not receive a vaccination
- Resources for both patients and physicians
As always, with any medical treatment, it is risk vs. benefit. But considering the seriousness of the measles infection, it is a topic everyone should research carefully and understand so that an informed disease about vaccination can be made. And as always, make decisions about healthcare, with your physician!
CDC Report - Measles — United States, January 1–April 25, 2008
San Diego Measles Outbreak Growing
Measles Outbreak 2008 - Get The Facts
CDC - 2008 Measles Update for Travelers
Spring Brings Rise of Lyme Disease
With spring, and the beautiful blue skies and temperate weather that come along with it, comes the urge to be outside. Hiking and biking are just a couple of the activities that people wait for all winter. But with spring comes increased risk for several illnesses; the most discussed of these diseases is undoubtedly Lyme Disease.
The FDA recommends the following precautions to avoid Lyme Disease.
- Avoid wooded, brushy, and grassy areas, especially in May, June, and July. (Contact the local health department or park/extension service for information on the prevalence of ticks in specific areas).
- Wear light-colored clothing so that you can see ticks that get
on you. - Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
- Wear shoes that cover the entire foot.
- Tuck pant legs into socks or shoes, and tuck shirts into pants.
- Wear a hat for extra protection.
- Spray insect repellent containing DEET on clothes and exposed skin other than the face, or treat clothes with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact.
- Walk in the center of trails to avoid brush and grass.
- Remove your clothing, and wash and dry them at high temperatures after being outdoors.
- Do a careful body check for ticks after outdoor activities.
Most cases of Lyme Disease, as reported to the CDC, occur in the northeast and upper midwest of the United States. There has been question of under reporting of this bacterial infection and other questions as to the legitimacy of some Lyme Disease claims. Needless to say, chronic forms of Lyme are controversial and many physicians remain divided on some aspects of treatment, although it is always treated with antibiotics. The questions arise over when a patient was infected, how the infection is manifesting, how the treatment is working, and whether or not chronic long-term problems are related.
What you need to know as spring and all of the warm weather activities begin is to watch carefully for ticks, how to safely remove an attached tick, and what symptoms you watch for that call for a doctor’s attention. It is a difficult disease to have, and to be treated for, and with numbers rising, trying to avoid it is in everyone’s best interest.
How To Safely Remove A Tick
Using tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin, pull straight back, and avoid crushing the tick’s body. Save the tick for possible identification by a doctor or the local health department.
The Mayo Clinic on Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease Sufferers Want State To Take Notice
County Mounts Campaign to Exterminate Lyme dsease - One cummunity’s effort to eliminate Lyme Disease
HIV/AIDS Report for U.S. Households Released
We are bombarded with statistics about infectious diseases. This is no more true than with HIV/AIDS. Reports are issued from various reporting agencies and they all seem to be contradictory because they address different groups of people, different locations of the nation or world, different periods of times… it could confuse a statistician.
Approximately half of 1 percent (0.47 percent) of the U.S. household population between the ages of 18 and 49 are living with HIV, according to estimates from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) based on surveys conducted between 1999-2006.
CDC
The quote above is from a recent report that most Americans will be interested in as it is relevant to all population groups. The bottom line is that .47% of Americans are infected with HIV/AIDS.
The report further explains that men are more likely to be infected than women and that African-Americans were infected at a higher percentage than any other racial group. One percent of the .47% had reduced immune system function. One-third of HIV/AIDS patients have healthy immune systems compared with 90% of the non-infected populace.
Full Report - HIV Infection in the United States Household Population - Adobe Reader Required
Handwashing Prevents Colds and Flu
Most of us know that cold and flu season is upon us; it seems everyone I know has a cold, bronchitis, or pneumonia. And of course the assorted laundry list of ear infections, tonsillitis, and sinus infections are in plentiful supply as well. Some of these infections are viral and some are bacterial. Some of them are inevitable; someone inadvertently sneezes in your face at the grocery store and they have a cold starting, your going to get it. But did you know that most of the infections, viral or bacterial, that we spread around in the community are avoidable?
How? By handwashing.
Most infections are caused by direct contact. The vast majority of the viruses and bacteria we encounter that make us sick, are not airborne. There is a common misconception about what an airborne contagion is and once you understand the difference between airborne and direct contact, you can avoid catching a lot of the things “going around.”
Most diseases are transmitted by methods such as a sneeze or a cough. They are direct contact because the germs are in the droplets which rest upon a surface, on the skin, or are directly inhaled or ingested. They then are “caught” by the next victim who gets sick from the exposure. Basically that is how a cold is transferred from one person to another. The subsequent ear and sinus infections, bronchitis, and most pneumonias are secondary infections; that is why two people can catch the same cold but one will develop an ear infection and the other will display the symptoms of bronchitis.
An airborne disease travels through moving currents of air and are comparatively rare. I am not an epidemiologist, and the study of airborne diseases is very complex and far too intensive for our purposes, but these are not the diseases that are contagious like colds and flu. One notable exception is Chicken Pox which once appearing in a community spreads very quickly. Tuberculosis is also an airborne disease but the contagion factors are quite different and involve several factors.
Back to handwashing. If most of the everyday colds and flus, and the complicating secondary infections that come along with them, are not airborne and are spread by direct contact, it follows that it is very easy to prevent these infections by consistent, thorough, and complete handwashing techniques. It is the simplest and the least expensive method of infection control that exists. It is also one of the most overlooked methods.
The Hand Hygiene Resource Center has been set up to teach people the appropriate method of handwashing. Effective handwashing can help contain infections and is the first step in protecting yourself and your family from the colds and flu spreading around your community. There are instructional materials on the site as well as a slide show that can be used to teach groups of people. The site also links to the CDC’s guidelines on handwashing for a complete resource to a healthier winter and flu season!