Measles on the Rise

Pennsylvania is one of four states that have reported outbreaks of measles so far for 2011. So far, the state has seen six cases, which is high considering that a simple vaccination can ward off the disease.

Other states with outbreaks are Florida with five cases, Utah with nine cases, and Minnesota with 21 cases. Almost all of them have been linked to some sort of international tie, leading researchers to believe that the disease is traveling across the ocean and infiltrating the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 89 cases of measles have been reported in the United States between January and April, which is exceptionally high. Typically the nation experiences about 50 total cases of measles annually…the number reported within the first four months of the current year is almost double the norm. CDC officials believe that this may be an indication of the worst measles outbreak in any single year in more than a decade.

Prior to this year, the worst year for a nationwide measles outbreak was 2008 when 140 cases were reported. Right now, the number of reported cases is more than halfway to this number with another eight months to go in 2011.

Measles is a respiratory disease that is caused by a virus. It normally grows in cells that line the back of the throat and lungs. Symptoms of measles generally start seven to 10 days after contracting the virus and include fever, runny nose, cough and sore throat. Two to three days later, white spots will appear inside the mouth. Eventually, a rash will appear on the face and spread to the rest of the body rather rapidly. Although it’s practically eradicated around the United States, measles still kills more than 200,000 people worldwide. This is mainly because the vaccination is more readily here than in other countries. The recent outbreaks indicate that people are not vaccinated against measles.

Although the vaccine is available in the United States, so many people choose not to obtain it, thus putting themselves at risk for the disease. This is the reason we are now experiencing an influx of measles cases in several states. If unvaccinated, you are placing yourself at a great risk of contracting the disease, which is transmitted through the air via coughing or sneezing – anything that can spread a virus, much like the common cold.

It’s critical to protect you and your family against measles – and it’s one of the easiest things you can do. To prevent measles, the CDC recommends that all children be vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are needed for complete protection. Children should be given the first dose at ages 12-15 months. The second dose can be given a month later, but is often given before the child starts kindergarten, sometime between ages 4 and 6. Adults can also be given the 2-dose vaccine or a 1-dose vaccination. The CDC states that the 1-dose vaccination is mainly limited to people ages 50 or older.

If you are considering the MMR vaccine for you or your children, talk with your primary care physician. They have the background information on your health and well-being and will provide the best guidance for your overall health and protection. With a measles outbreak pending, it would be to your advantage to be vaccinated.

References

Associated Press. (2011). US on track for most measles cases in a decade. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iZZE3c91FXNJHn1CGMiv7LmIk1oA?docId=b0bfb5447beb4ee395eceadabaa13e93.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Recommended adult immunization schedule – United States, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6004a10.htm?s_cid=mm6004a10_w.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Vaccines and preventable diseases. Measles vaccination. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/default.htm#notvacc.

Build Self-Esteem; Prevent Suicide Among Children

Low self-esteem, bullying, depression, and feelings of helplessness have led to increased suicides, especially among youth. In the United States, suicide remains the fifth leading cause of death among children ages 5 to 14, but it is the third among young adults ages 15-24. From a public health standpoint, suicide as well as attempted suicide is a serious condition that is fully preventable. Unfortunately, attempted suicide often leaves the individual alive yet severely depressed or in poor mental and physical conditions that cost society hundreds of dollars

Of those with the highest prevalence of suicide and depression prevalence, Pennsylvania is ranked 33rd, which is in the lower half of the country. This equates to 11.1 suicides per 100,000 people annually. According to the 2010 U.S. Census information, the state with the highest number suicides is Alaska. Overall, the suicide rates in the United States are low by comparison to the world. The former Soviet Union states continue to hold the record for the highest level of suicides. Belarus, which had a rate of 36.8 suicides per 100,000 people, has the highest number of suicides in the world followed closely by Lithuania. Korea, Japan, Switzerland, and France are also among the top 20 with the highest suicide rates. What’s going on? Why are worldwide suicides apparently common and popular among the younger generations?

Although most studies on suicide blame the decline in mental health services for the high rates, I would point toward learned helplessness and a worldwide display of apathy toward others that may be at greater fault for creating the indifferences noted around the globe. Suicide has been seen as a cry for help – but by the time suicide occurs, it’s too late to actually provide that help. One study from the United Kingdom suggests that family, friends, and neighbors need to be more concerned with each other, which had been the norm decades ago. I wholeheartedly agree. However, the current argument is that mental health issues need to be dealt with on a professional level, a public health level that seems to take family and friends out of the picture (for the most part). To reduce emotional distress that could lead to suicide, we can’t remove ourselves from the picture. We actually need to invest more in the situation – especially when we’re dealing with children and youth. Friends and family in particular are the ones who can detect problems long before professional help is sought. Why do we often fail to intervene? It’s probably because we don’t understand the problem, and hence shy away from it – hoping that it will just go away. Wrong approach.

The World Health Organization has strongly suggested a public awareness campaign – geared to assist with recognizing suicidal behaviors, especially among children, to help people know that they can be part of the solution. I believe we – as a society – need to understand the signs of declining mental health and be able to step in to avert a suicide. Strengthening positive behaviors and thoughts rather than reducing negative actions and mental processes seems to be one way that could improve children’s self-assessments. By focusing on the positive, children are able to gain increased self-esteem that wards off suicide or other self-destructive behaviors.

Signs of suicide or low self-esteem include feelings of helplessness, lack of interest in activities, seclusion from others, crying, and poor school work (or work). If your child, your neighbor, or your friend exhibits such behaviors, it may be time to talk with them…about anything! Simply spending time with them (i.e. take them for ice cream, go to the park, take a walk) may create a more positive social environment that will increase his or her self esteem. Research shows that focusing on the positive may be one of the best ways to build a child’s self esteem, rather than pushing to find out what is bothering the youngster. In some cases, the child might not understand or know why they are feeling so sad. Working to accentuate the positive may be the ticket to put a smile back on their face.

References

Cutcliffe, J. R., & Stevenson, C. (2008). Never the twain? Reconciling national suicide prevention strategies with the practice, educational, and policy needs of mental health nurses (part one). International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 17, 341-350.

Insider Monkey. (2011). Population density by state and suicide rates. Retrieved April 28, 2011, from http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/tag/suicide-rates-by-state/.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2010). Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention. Retrieved April 28, 2011, from http://www.mentalhealth.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml#intro.

Owens, C., Owen, G., Lambert, H., Donovan, J., Belam, J., Rapport, F., & Lloyd, K. (2009). Public involvement in suicide prevention: understanding and strengthening lay responses to distress. BMC Public Health, 9, 308-317.

Thomson Healthcare. (2011). National Center for Health Statistics and Bureau of Census data. Retrieved April 28, 2011 from  http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-11-28-depression-suicide-numbers_N.htm#.

Guard Against Asthma in Children: Making Your Home Pollution-Free

Today is World Asthma Day, a day set aside to bring about awareness of this illness to the general population. According to The Nation’s Health, 25 million Americans live with asthma – more than 7 million of those people are children. According to an assessment of asthma in children published earlier this year, asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization for young people under age 18.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that obstructs the airway, creating what could become serious, lifetime breathing difficulties. Because their lungs are still growing, children can be extremely susceptible to asthma by simply breathing poor air. Triggers such as cigarette smoke, allergens, or pollution can create permanent lung damage in children whose lungs are still developing.

While it may seem reasonable to think that outdoor air quality is the prime cause of asthma and asthma-related concerns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that indoor air quality is actually a larger contributor of respiratory distress, especially for children. The home environment often provides the worst breathing atmosphere for youth because of poor ventilation, second-hand cigarette or cigar smoke, pet dander, dust mites, mold, and cockroaches or other such pests. Furthermore, people living in low-income areas often cannot properly afford mechanisms that control for such indoor pollutants and are at a far greater risk of asthma than their higher income counterparts.

In 2010, a National Asthma Survey found that the current U.S. Asthma Guidelines, which focus on methods to prevent, reduce or eliminate asthma triggers in the home, were not well known among the general population. The guidelines list several indoor air pollutants that could have a poor and long-lasting effect on lung health, especially for children. Below is a brief list with suggested resolutions, some of which are common-sense solutions.

• Radon: Estimated to contribute to between 7,000 and 30,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Smokers are at higher risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer than those who do not smoke.
• Resolution: Install a radon detector. Safe radon levels should be less than 4 pCi/L. Detectors are cheap and readily available at various local stores.
• Tobacco Smoke (cigarettes or cigars): Causes eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; lung cancer; may contribute to heart disease. This causes an increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and ear infections; a build-up of fluid in the middle ear; increased severity and frequency of asthma episodes; and decreased lung function. All of these symptoms are worse in children who breath tobacco-filled air.
• Resolution: Quit smoking altogether. Or, do not smoke inside your home or permit others to do so; do not smoke when children are present, particularly infants and toddlers. If you must smoke indoors, have proper ventilation, use exhaust fans or open windows.
• Biological Concerns (new carpeting, paint, flooring, pets, and poorly maintained humidifiers, dehumidifiers or air conditioners): Causes eye, nose, and throat irritation; shortness of breath; dizziness; lethargy; fever; and digestive problems. Can cause asthma; humidifier fever; influenza and other infectious diseases.
• Resolution: Install and use fans to ventilate the areas; use dehumidifiers, if necessary; keep air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers properly maintained for effective functioning.
• Carbon Monoxide: At low concentrations, this pollutant can cause fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, it can impair vision and coordination, cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea. Carbon Monoxide can be fatal at extreme concentrations.
• Resolution: Keep all gas appliances properly adjusted, install and use exhaust fans, open flues when using fireplaces, and do not idle the car inside a closed garage.
• Pesticides: This element can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat; and cause serious damage to the central nervous system and kidney while increasing the risk of cancer. Children are especially susceptible to lung disorders from inhaling pesticides.
• Resolution: Use all pesticide products according to manufacturer’s directions, do not store them inside your home, keep them in ventilated areas, and do not spray them inside without appropriate ventilation in place.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regularly maintains a list of health concerns associated with indoor air pollutants – many of which cause asthma. You can find the complete list at: www.cpsc.gov.

  

Interesting Asthma Facts:

1. More than 200 different agents have been identified in a wide range of work environments as possible asthma triggers, and this list is growing.
2. Asthma prevalence is highest among blacks.
3. The highest prevalence of asthma can be found in Rhode Island.
4. The lowest prevalence of asthma is in Florida.
5. In childhood, more males than females have asthma. In the teen years, this shifts to more females than males with asthma.
6. Women account for two-thirds of the U.S. asthma deaths.
7. 1.6 million people seek emergency care from asthma or asthma-related problems.
8. Most fatal asthma attacks do not occur in a hospital.
9. 95% of children with persistent asthma still have symptoms into adulthood.
10. Since dust mites have very sticky feet that make it difficult to vacuum them up, you are better off with wood, tile or vinyl flooring than with carpeting.