Rowan June 2016

June 2016

» Help! I’m pregnant and dreading the hot weather, page 3 » Helping your child become a summer camp champ, page 5 » Rowan researchers develop blood test that detects early Alzheimer’s disease, page 6

Men: Do less to improve your health!

National Men’s Health Week is celebrated the week leading up to Father’s Day. During this week, individuals, families, communities, and others work to promote healthy living among men and boys.

Here are six ways to do less of some things or quit others to improve your health.

Reduce stress

Decrease alcohol use

Eat right By cutting back on saturated fats, trans fats

Men are more likely than women to drink heavily. Excessive alcohol use increases your risk of injury and cancer, can interfere with male hormone production and sexual function, and can result in hospitalizations, and death.

Quit using tobacco Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and causes most lung cancers. It also causes other cancers and heart and respiratory diseases. In 2014, 26 percent of men used tobacco products every day or some days.

Avoid drowsy driving Up to 6,000 fatal crashes each year may be caused by drowsy drivers. Commercial drivers, shift workers, drivers with untreated sleep disorders or those using sedation medications, and drivers that do not get enough sleep are more likely to drive drowsy. To prevent drowsy driving, try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night, and refrain from drinking alcohol or taking sedation medications before getting behind the wheel.

Reduce number of sex partners Reducing your number of sex partners can decrease your risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Be sexually active with only one person who has agreed to be sexually active only with you. Get tested because most STDs don’t have symptoms and often go undiagnosed and untreated. Find free, fast, and confidential testing near you.

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. In 2011, more than 38,000 men in the United States were diagnosed with melanomas of the skin. To protect you and your family from the sun, seek shade, wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Physical or emotional tension are often signs of stress. They can be reactions to a situation that causes you to feel threatened or anxious.

Learn ways to manage stress including finding support, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.

and simple carbohydrates, you can reduce your chances of developing chronic health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. Healthy foods — fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products — give the body the tools it needs to repair and replenish. It is important to follow the dietary guidelines set by the USDA and supported by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Get regular exercise

Exercise has been proven to help improve heart health and better control blood sugar levels. It also acts as a natural antidepressant. If you're not a person who can work out every day, park your car farther away or take the stairs. Do something to get some exercise whenever you can. It's very important for your cardiovascular health, as well as your mental health.

Getting more in touch with your family Fathers can start by spending more time with their kids. Get outside, toss a ball, ride bikes or take a walk. The children will benefit from dad's attention, and so will dad.

Source: menshealthmonth.org

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Help! I’m pregnant and dreading the hot weather.

By Dr. Jennifer Hummel

Pregnancy is one of life’s truly great experiences, but it can also be tough on your body. If you’re pregnant during the summer months, you may be dealing with a double dose of discomfort. The heat, humidity and bad air quality may make it difficult to keep your cool during a summer pregnancy, but like any part of a healthy pregnancy, staying comfortable during the dog days of summer relies to a great degree on understanding what’s happening inside your body.

Rest assured that, for the most part, your baby is well insulated from the extremes of summer weather. Even if the mercury climbs to record highs, your body is a remarkable cooling machine. As Dr. Hummel is a faculty long as you aren’t ill, your body member at the Rowan temperature remains relatively University School of constant at just under 99 degrees.

Osteopathic Medicine Your body gets rid of excess and an obstetrician and heat by exhaling and sweating. gynecologist with Rowan Your baby adds slightly to your Medicine’s Department of body’s heat, which can cause you Obstetrics and Gynecology, to breathe more rapidly or to in Mullica Hill. To schedule perspire more heavily, especially an appointment, please call during hot weather.

If you are (856) 256-5800. perspiring a lot, increase your fluid intake. Be aware that if you are feeling thirsty, your body has already started to become dehydrated.

You do need to be careful about overdoing it in the hot weather.

Remain indoors, preferably in

air conditioning, as much as possible when the day turns hot. Schedule errands and outdoor exercise or activities in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.

When sitting outdoors, try to stay in a shaded spot. Be alert to any ill effects from heat exposure. If you start to feel dizzy or light headed, get out of the sun and drink cool liquids. If symptoms persist, call your physician.

One way to keep your cool during a hot spell is to go swimming. Being in the water will help you feel more comfortable and will provide additional support for the extra weight you’re carrying. Pools are fine, but stay away from hot tubs or jacuzzis, which can elevate your maternal temperature. Taking several quick showers throughout the day will also help you stay cool and comfortable.

Remember to put on sunscreen before heading outside. Consider using sunscreen with a higher SPF value than you normally use. Sun exposure won’t harm your baby, but pregnancy will make you more prone to sunburn.

You know how important good nutrition is for you and your baby and a summertime pregnancy has the added advantage of the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Eating fresh fruit and vegetables will add vitamins and minerals to your diet, help keep your digestive and immune systems operating smoothly and will also help keep

you hydrated on hot days.

Some other quick tips that will help you stay comfortable during the heat of summer are: • Take rings and any constrictive jewelry off before swelling makes this difficult to do.

• Apply a cool, damp washcloth to your forehead or the back of your neck for some immediate heat relief.

• Wear loose fitting clothing of natural fabrics such as cotton or linen to keep your skin feeling cooler.

• Minimize your salt intake.

• Put your feet up during the day for at least 30 to 60 minutes even if you have to split that between two or three breaks during the day.

• Wear comfortable shoes. You may find that a half size larger than your normal size feels better on your feet.

• Fold a blanket or large towel and place it under your mattress at the foot of the bed to elevate your feet slightly while you sleep.

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Helping your child become a

summer camp champ

By Dr. Tanya Kadrmas-Iannuzzi

For many kids, the initial trip to summer camp can be a difficult transition. Unlike the school year, when children come home at the end of the day, going to a sleepaway camp for the first time will be your child’s first experience with spending an extended amount of time away from parents or close relatives. As parents, it is up to you to do some advance preparation to help ease this transition for your child. Here are a few tips:

Check up before checking in. Schedule a visit with your child’s pediatrician especially if your child has any chronic medical conditions, such as asthma or allergies, to make sure your child’s conditions are well controlled.

Cutting the cord. Separation anxiety is real and can affect both parents and children. You can help make sure your child’s initial camp experience is a positive one by setting the right pre-camp tone. Encourage your child to talk about his or her expectations, focus on the excitement and fun of the camping Dr. Tanya Kadrmasexperience and Iannuzzi is a Rowan avoid talking Medicine pediatrician and about being apart or ‘missing’ a faculty member at the Rowan University School of each other.

Osteopathic Medicine. To schedule an appointment, please call (856) 566-7040.

Sun and heat. The transition from air conditioned comfort may make some campers more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

It helps to remind them to ‘ Go SLoW’ (Sunscreen and Lots of Water) in the summer heat. Make sure your children know how much sunscreen to apply (it’s probably more than you think!) and reinforce the need to stay hydrated to avoid illnesses like heat exhaustion.

Adding salty snacks, like pretzels or potato chips, is a tip that you might not think of.

When you drink a lot of water, it dilutes the level of sodium in your blood. Sodium helps regulate the level of water in your body. Low sodium levels can lead to hyponatremia, a condition that can cause nausea, headaches and dizziness.

Hygiene. Germs can spread easily in a camp’s close living quarters. Remind your child that, even in the ‘wilderness,’ hand washing before eating is still required and that they should avoid sharing hats or toothbrushes (yes, that does happen) with other campers. Explain the importance of reporting any rashes, bug bites, cuts or scrapes to their camp counselor.

The blues. Summer camp can be a whirlwind of activity, but homesickness may still creep in. Cell phones are often not allowed at summer camp and that can often be a more difficult adjustment for parents. You can still stay connected the old-fashioned way. Consider mailing a letter ahead of time or leaving one with the camp counselor to deliver to your child on the first day. And if you are fortunate to receive a reply, you’ll have a tangible memory that you can hold onto longer than a telephone conversation. Make sure your young camper knows ahead of time that she can talk to a camp counselor if homesickness happens.

Roughing it. Summer camps provide a comfortable and fun environment for children, but some might be more rustic than your child is used to.

Total darkness for a child who is used to city lights can be unsettling at first, as can sharing an environment with bugs and wildlife. Talk to your child ahead of time so he can be better prepared for those first days and nights in the ‘wilderness.’

Dropping your child off on the first day of camp won’t be easy, but you can take comfort in knowing that, along with skills like camping, kayaking and horseback riding, your child will be taking some important, initial steps and toward independence.

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Rowan Researchers Develop Blood Test that Detects Early Alzheimer’s Disease

A

“It is now generally believed that Alzheimer’srelated changes begin in the brain at least a decade before the emergence of telltale symptoms,” Nagele explained.

research team, led by Dr. Robert Nagele from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and Durin Technologies, Inc., has announced the development of a blood test that leverages the body’s immune response system to detect an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease – referred to as the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage– with unparalleled accuracy. In a “proof of concept” study involving 236 subjects, the test demonstrated an overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity rate of 100 percent in identifying subjects whose MCI was actually caused by an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease.

“About 60 percent of all MCI patients have MCI caused by an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease. The remaining 40 percent of cases are caused by other factors, including vascular issues, drug side-effects and depression. To provide proper care, physicians need to know which cases of MCI are due to early Alzheimer’s and which are not,” said Cassandra DeMarshall, the study’s lead author, and a PhD candidate at the Rowan University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. “Our results show that it is possible to use a small number of blood-borne autoantibodies to accurately diagnose early-stage Alzheimer’s. These findings could

eventually lead to the development of a simple, inexpensive and relatively noninvasive way to diagnose this devastating disease in its earliest stages.”

“It is now generally believed that Alzheimer’s-related changes begin in the brain at least a decade before the emergence of telltale symptoms,” Nagele explained. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first blood test using autoantibody biomarkers that can accurately detect Alzheimer’s at an early point in the course of the disease when treatments are more likely to be beneficial – that is, before too much brain devastation has occurred.” Nagele is the study’s corresponding author and the director of the Biomarker Discovery Center at Rowan’s New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging. He is also the co-founder and chief scientific officer of Durin Technologies, Inc. The researchers presented their results in an article published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring that also reported the test’s ability to accurately “stage the disease,” meaning it can distinguish early-stage Alzheimer’s at MCI from later, more advanced stages. The test was also disease-specific. It readily distinguished early Alzheimer’s at the MCI stage from other diseases including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis,

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and early stage breast cancer. many For the study, the Rowan University researchers years analyzed blood samples from 236 subjects, before including 50 MCI subjects with low levels of symptoms amyloid-beta 42 peptide in their cerebrospinal emerge, this fluid. The latter is a reliable indicator of ongoing approach could open Alzheimer’s pathology in the brain and predicts a the door to even earlier likely rapid progression to Alzheimer’s. pre-symptomatic detection of Employing human protein microarrays, each Alzheimer’s disease. containing 9,486 unique human proteins that are According to the authors, early used as bait to attract blood-borne autoantibodies, diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and the ability the researchers identified the top 50 autoantibody to stage the disease through a simple blood test biomarkers capable of detecting ongoing earlywould offer many potential benefits. Patients stage Alzheimer’s pathology in patients “...early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and the with MCI. In multiple tests, the 50 biomarkers were 100 percent accurate ability to stage the disease through a simple blood in distinguishing patients with MCI test would offer many potential benefits.” due to Alzheimer’s from healthy ageand gender-matched controls. Further testing of could possibly delay disease progression through the selected MCI biomarker panel demonstrated lifestyle adjustments, begin treatment sooner and similar high overall accuracy rates in differentiating plan future medical care. Clinicians would have patients with early Alzheimer’s at the MCI stage a way to measure the effectiveness of therapeutic from those with more advanced, mild-moderate intervention and clinical trials could enroll patients Alzheimer’s (98.7 percent), early-stage Parkinson’s who were truly at the earliest stage of their disease. disease (98.0 percent), multiple sclerosis (100 This research was supported, in part, by the percent) and breast cancer (100 percent).

Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Michael In their report, the researchers acknowledge J. Fox Foundation. The researchers reported that that the utility of their MCI biomarker panel as a neither organization had a role in the study design, blood test for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease data collection and analysis, decision to publish or will hinge on a successful larger replication study preparation of the article. using an independent patient cohort. However, they also point out that, because this blood-based diagnostic strategy is dependent on the presence of Alzheimer’s pathology which can be underway

Drug may help kids with Sickle Cell

By AMY NORTON HealthDay

Children with sickle cell disease may breathe easier when they’re given hydroxyurea — an effective, but underused, drug for the disease, new research suggests.

In a study of 94 young people with sickle cell, researchers found that hydroxyurea helped slow the decline in lung function that is typical of the disease.

The study appears to be the first to show that hydroxyurea can preserve kids’ lung function, said lead researcher Dr. Anya McLaren, of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

She said the findings should give doctors more reason to prescribe hydroxyurea. The drug, she noted, is already known to prevent severe bouts of pain and serious lung complications in people with sickle cell.

MANY PATIENTS

DON’T GET

HYDROXYUREA

BECAUSE OF FEARS ABOUT ‘THEORETICAL’

CANCER RISK,

EXPERTS SAY.

An expert who was not involved with the study agreed.

“This is further confirmation that this medication is beneficial,” said Dr. George Buchanan. He is a pediatric hematologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas.

“I think most children with sickle cell anemia should be on hydroxyurea,” said Buchanan, who helped craft the current guidelines on treating the disease.

Those guidelines say doctors should “offer” hydroxyurea treatment to families once a child is at least nine months old.

Yet studies show that most people with sickle cell — adults and children — aren’t getting the drug.

One reason, Buchanan said, is concern about “theoretical” risks, including a heightened risk of certain cancers, such as leukemia.

But studies have not borne out those worries, both he and McLaren said.

Sickle cell is an inherited disease that mainly affects people of African, South American or Mediterranean descent. In the United States, about one in 365 African-American children are born with the condition, according to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

The central problem in sickle cell is that the body produces red blood cells that are crescent-shaped, rather than disc-shaped. Those abnormal cells tend to be sticky and can block blood flow — causing symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue and shortness of breath.

One potentially severe complication is known as acute chest syndrome, where abnormal blood cells “clog up” the lungs.

It’s a leading cause of death among people with sickle cell, Buchanan said.

Hydroxyurea reduces the risk of that complication, so it’s “not surprising” that it would also improve kids’ lung function, he said.

Hydroxyurea was originally developed as a cancer drug, but it treats sickle cell by prompting the body to make fetal hemoglobin — an oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. That, in turn, helps keep red blood cells from becoming stiff, sticky and crescent-shaped.

The patients in McLaren’s study ranged in age from six to 20. All had their lung function periodically

tested before and for four years after starting hydroxyurea.

Overall, the researchers found, the drug slowed down the annual decline the kids had been showing before starting treatment.

McLaren was to report the findings Wednesday at the American Thoracic Society’s annual meeting, in San Francisco.

In general, studies presented at meetings are considered preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Hydroxyurea does have risks.

It can lower the number of white blood cells and platelets in the bloodstream, which could leave people at risk of infections or bleeding.

Because of that, some patients may need periodic blood tests, according to Buchanan.

And that is another reason why hydroxyurea is underused. For some families, the monitoring is too much, Buchanan said. For others, he added, just keeping their child

on a daily pill proves too difficult.

The type of doctor a child sees can potentially be an issue, too.

A general pediatrician or family doctor would have less experience in managing sickle cell, or using hydroxyurea, than a pediatric hematologist would, Buchanan said.

But, he noted, it’s adults who have the tougher time finding a doctor with experience in treating sickle cell.

Buchanan said his advice to parents and to adults with sickle cell is the same: If you’re not using hydroxyurea, ask your doctor whether you should be.

Source: The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at nhlbi.nih.gov, has more on sickle cell disease.

Scleroderma: Rare, devastating disease The skin thickens and tightens, becoming deformed and unyielding. Then, the skin around the body’s joints allows for less and less bending. Hands, elbows and knees all become stiff.

In worst cases, the hardening can reach into the internal organs, with potentially life-threatening results. The kidneys, lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract and vascular system can become compromised, their normal processes hindered or halted as the organs grow rigid.

The disease is called scleroderma, and no one is sure what causes it or how it can be cured.

About 75,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. have this disease; most are women between the ages of 30 and 50. Twins and family members of those with scleroderma or other autoimmune connective tissue diseases, such as lupus, may have a slightly higher risk of getting scleroderma. Children can also develop scleroderma, but the disease is different in children than in adults, according to the American College of Rheumatology.

Scleroderma is believed to be an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system turns against one’s own body.

It’s not known what prompts the immune system attack, although researchers believe it is probably caused by a genetic predisposition interacting with some environmental stimulus.

The immune system is believed to stimulate cells called fibroblasts, causing them to produce too much collagen, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The collagen builds up thick connective tissue within the skin and internal organs that can interfere with their function.

Localized scleroderma can take the form of reddish patches of skin that thicken into firm, oval-shaped areas. The center of each patch becomes ivory colored with violet borders. The patches appear most often on the chest, stomach and back, but also can appear on the face, arms and legs. They sweat very little and have little hair growth.

The thickening can also spread, becoming systemic. The fingers, hands, face, lower arms and legs are the only places affected if the spread is limited, but people also can suffer a range of symptoms doctors refer to as CREST, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In the most serious cases, internal organs are affected. Kidneys quit working. Lungs stiffen, making it hard to take a breath. Hearts are unable to pump as efficiently.

Living with scleroderma is quite challenging. Everyday activities can sometimes be difficult due to physical limitations and pain.

Problems with digestion may require changes in diet; patients often have to eat several small meals rather than fewer large meals. Patients must also keep the skin well-moisturized to lessen stiffness and be careful during activities such as gardening and cooking to avoid finger injuries.

To keep the body warm, patients should dress in layers; wear socks, boots and gloves; and avoid very cold rooms. Unfortunately, moving to a warmer climate does not necessarily lead to dramatic improvement. Exercise and/or physical therapy may ease stiffness in the joints.

Patients must also deal with the psychological setbacks that come from living with a disease that is chronic, uncommon and currently incurable. Because scleroderma can cause significant changes in appearance, a patient’s self-esteem and self-image are almost always affected. The support of family and friends is vital in helping to maintain a good quality of life.

Source: The American College of Rheumatology.

CREST stands for: • Calcinosis, the formation of calcium deposits in the connective tissues, usually found on the fingers, hands, face, and trunk, and on the skin above the elbows and knees. Painful ulcers can result if the deposits break through the skin.

• Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition in which the small blood vessels of the hands or feet contract in response to cold or anxiety. Fingertips may suffer damage that leads to ulcers, scars, or gangrene.

• Esophageal dysfunction, which occurs when smooth muscles in the esophagus lose normal movement.

The result can be swallowing difficulties, chronic heartburn or inflammation.

• Sclerodactyly, or thick and tight skin on the fingers resulting from deposits of excess collagen within skin layers. It becomes hard to bend or straighten fingers, and the skin may also appear shiny and darkened.

• Telangiectasia, a condition caused by the swelling of tiny blood vessels. Small red spots appear on the hands and face.

Summertime swimming pool safety

By JENNY MONTGOMERY HealthDay

Whether it’s a backyard oasis or the gem of the community park, a swimming pool is a great place for summer fun. But it’s important to remember that swimming pools can be dangerous, especially for children.

Children ages one to four are more likely than any other age group to die from accidental drowning. Most of these drownings occur in residential pools, often in the child’s own backyard. Many parents are unaware that toddlers can drown in as little as an inch or two of water. As children get older, they become more confident in the water — sometimes too confident. Older kids may fool around, try fancy dives, and put themselves at risk.

Alarmingly, it can take as little as 20 seconds for a child to get into serious trouble, according to retired Coast Guard Commander David Smith.

possibility that they could become trapped underwater by the drain’s suction.

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign urges parents to install multiple drains in pools to minimize the suction at any one location. Drain covers should be secure and have no cracks, and you should know where to locate the manual cut-off switch for the pool’s pumps, in case of emergency.

What can I do to prevent drowning?

What should I do if a child is drowning?

First and foremost, never leave a child unsupervised in or near a pool. Even 20 seconds is too long for a child to be alone in the water.

Learning how to swim is the best defense against drowning. The National Safety Council recommends that children begin taking swimming lessons at three years old. Even if your child knows how to swim, an adult should always be present to supervise. And as the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) says, if you can’t swim, don’t float. Nonswimmers who use rafts or other personal flotation devices can become separated from them and drown.

Parents can help prevent drownings by preparing themselves for an emergency. Those who have a pool — or who take their children to pools, lakes, or the ocean — should know how to swim, how to pull a drowning child from a pool if no lifeguard is present, and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The American Red Cross recommends CPR training for any person in charge of caring for a child.

To prevent children from entering a pool area unsupervised, the USLA says, a pool should be fenced at least four feet high with self-locking gates. Fences could prevent an estimated 50 to 90 percent of childhood pool drownings, according to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, California. And while childless poolowners may see no reason to erect a protective barrier, neighborhood children can easily wander into areas where they shouldn’t.

How can I tell if a child is drowning?

Children who are drowning may not be able to call out for help. Watch for these signs of trouble: • A child looks tired while swimming • Only the child’s head is visible • The child is splashing, but sinking

The Red Cross recommends a few additional precautions: • Don’t leave objects, such as boxes or benches, outside a pool fence that could enable children to climb over.

• Make sure fences have openings no more than four inches wide.

• If your house borders one side of the pool, make it a practice to lock the doors that lead to the pool area.

Even with these precautions, parents and pool owners need to check regularly to see if the pool fence has deteriorated and to verify that the locks are still working.

While pool covers may sound like a good idea, owners should not depend on them for protection. They are not adequate substitutes for fences, because children can drown in the small amount of water that collects on pool covers.

Pool drains can also be hazardous to children.

Pumps draw water from a pool drain through suction, and suction increases if the drain is blocked. For that reason, children should never go near such drains, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to avoid any

The Red Cross recommends keeping a long sturdy pole or a plastic ring buoy attached to a rope by every pool. If a child is still conscious and able to grab hold of something, you can quickly pull her to safety. If you don’t have any lifesaving gear handy, you may be able to improvise with a towel, a pool noodle, or just about anything else a child can grab onto.

Even if you’re a strong swimmer, you shouldn’t jump into the water yourself unless you’ve been trained in water rescue — or you just don’t have any other choice. Swimming with a flailing child is no easy task. Because a panicked child may grab you around the neck, always attempt to turn him around in the water so that you can swim holding him facing away from you.

After removing the child from the water, take the following steps: • Have someone call 911 immediately, even if you think the child cannot be saved • If you suspect the child has injured his neck or back, move him as little as possible • Lay him on a flat, firm surface • If the child isn’t breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation • If there is no pulse, administer CPR if you have had CPR training

Pregnant? Protect against Zika virus.

By DENNIS THOMPSON HealthDay

As the threat of the Zika virus

grows in the United States, pregnant women and those trying to conceive need to take precautions, a fetal medicine doctor says.

Zika poses the greatest risk to pregnant women during the first trimester, said Dr. Joseph Biggio, director of the division of maternalfetal medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Pregnant women and those trying to become pregnant should

avoid or limit travel to areas where Zika is being transmitted. And, they should discuss travel plans to these areas with their doctor.

While microcephaly (a birth defect where a baby has an abnormally small head and brain) has been the primary concern, Zika can also cause other brain abnormalities, stillbirth and damage to the eyes and hearing, according to Biggio.

To date, all Zika virus cases in the United States have been associated

Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by following these tips • Drain water from garbage cans, tarps on outdoor furniture, coolers, planters, pet bowls and other sources of standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Check for standing water after every rain and every time you water the lawn/garden, and wipe out birdbaths every few days. with travel to countries where Zika transmission is occurring.

While the risk of being infected with Zika in the United States is low, pregnant women need to take precautions.

“If pregnant, I recommend protecting yourself and your baby by using insect repellents,” Biggio said.

Insect repellents that contain DEET and picaridin are thought to be safe for pregnant women. Spray repellent on clothes instead of the skin to try to reduce absorption.

The Zika virus remains in the bloodstream for one to two weeks after infection, but it’s not known how long the virus can be transmitted in an infected man’s semen. It’s recommended that men who have traveled to Zika-affected areas use condoms regularly to avoid exposing a pregnant partner or a partner who may become pregnant.

This advice should be followed for at least six months if the man has Zika symptoms, and a minimum of eight weeks if he doesn’t have symptoms, according to Biggio.

For more information, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on the Zika virus.

• Dress to ward off mosquitoes.

Wear clothing that is loose, light-colored and has long sleeves and covers your legs. Cover cribs, strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.

• Defend against mosquitoes using a number of methods. Mosquitoes are weak flyers, so consider using a fan when sitting outside.

Plant marigolds or citronella, which are considered natural mosquito repellents. Instead of regular light bulbs, use LED lights outdoors because they do not attract mosquitoes.

• Use insect repellent as it is one of the best defenses against mosquitoes. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered repellents are considered safe and effective, even for pregnant and breast-feeding women.

• When you come inside, wash repellents off with soap and water. Do not use repellents under clothing, do not apply them on skin that is cut or scraped, and do not use them on children younger than two months of age. When applying repellents to children, avoid their eyes and mouth. Apply the repellent to your hands and then apply to the child's face.

Source: Nebraska Regional Poison Center

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Mullica Hill 856-256-5800 | Stratford 856-566-7090 | Sewell 856-589-1414 rowanmedicine.com Kennedy Health is the principal hospital of the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Other affiliated hospitals and health systems include Lourdes Health System, Inspira Health Network, Cooper University Hospital, Meridian Health System, Christ Hospital and Atlantic Health System.