Holiday Health and Safety Tips from CDC

The holidays are a time to celebrate, give thanks, and reflect. They are also a time to pay special attention to your health. Give the gift of health and safety to yourself and others by following these holiday tips.

	Wash your hands often. Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands. Cover Your Cough Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
	Stay warm. Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing. Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter Weather Winter Weather
	Manage stress. The holidays don’t need to take a toll on your health and pocketbook. Keep a check on overcommitment and overspending. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and friends. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook. Make sure to get proper sleep. Managing Stress Sleep Hygiene Tips
	Travel safely. Whether you're traveling across town or around the world, help ensure your trip is safe. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let someone else drink and drive. Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to his/her height, weight, and age. Extreme Cold: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety Child Passenger Safety Impaired Driving Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter Weather Travelers’ Health
	Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and breathing other people's smoke. If you smoke, quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your health care provider for help.   Quit Smoking
	Get check-ups and vaccinations. Exams and screenings can help find potential problems before they start. They can also help find health issues early, when the chances for treatment and cure are often times better. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Schedule a visit with your health care provider for a yearly exam. Ask what vaccinations and tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, travel plans, medical history, and family health history. Things to Do Before Your Next Check-Up Family Health History Resources and Tools Flu and People with Diabetes Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work Vaccines and Immunizations Women: Stay Healthy at Any Age (AHRQ) Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age (AHRQ)
	Watch the kids. Children are at high risk for injuries. Keep a watchful eye on your kids when they’re eating and playing. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, choking hazards (like coins and hard candy), and other objects out of kids' reach. Learn how to provide early treatment for children who are choking. Make sure toys are used properly. Develop and reinforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors, including electronic media. Youth Violence: Technology and Youth-Protecting Your Child from Electronic Aggression Home and Recreational Safety Standing Guard for Consumers: CPSC & CBP Working at U.S. Ports to Protect Families This Holiday Toy Shopping Season (CPSC)
	Prevent injuries. Injuries can occur anywhere and some often occur around the holidays. Use step stools instead of furniture when hanging decorations.  Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Wear a bicycle helmet to help prevent head injuries. Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or skateboarding to help prevent head injuries. Keep vaccinations up-to-date. Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Keep candles away from children, pets, walkways, trees, and curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Don't use generators, grills, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test them once a month, and replace batteries twice a year. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Prevention General Injury Related Information Healthy Pets Healthy People Fire Deaths and Injuries: Prevention Tips Fireworks-Related Injuries Traumatic Brain Injury
	Handle and prepare food safely. As you prepare holiday meals, and any meals, keep yourself and your family safe from food-related illness. Wash hands and surfaces often. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours. Be Food Safe It's Turkey Time: Safely Prepare Your Holiday Meal Seasonal Food Safety: Fact Sheets  (USDA)
	Eat healthy, and be active. With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose fresh fruit as a festive and sweet substitute for candy. Select just one or two of your favorites from the host of tempting foods. Find fun ways to stay active, such as dancing to your favorite holiday music. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day. Food Safety at CDC Alcohol: Frequently Asked Questions Fruits and Vegetables Healthy Weight Managing Diabetes During the Holidays Physical Activity for Everyone

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Safety and Pregnant Women

Influenza is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant. Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women more prone to severe illness from influenza as well as hospitalizations and even death. Pregnant women with influenza also have a greater chance for serious problems for their unborn babies, including premature labor and delivery.

Why should pregnant women get the seasonal flu vaccine?

Pregnant women have a higher risk for serious complications from influenza than non-pregnant women of reproductive age. Influenza vaccine will protect pregnant women, their unborn babies, and protect the baby after birth.
To prevent influenza and complications in pregnant women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in 2004 began recommending routine immunization of pregnant women with the flu shot at any stage of pregnancy. The nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for use in pregnant women. More information on the ACIP recommendations for influenza vaccination during the 2013-2014 season.

Is it safe for pregnant women to get seasonal flu vaccine?

Yes. The seasonal flu shot has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over many years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies.

Can a breastfeeding mother receive the flu shot or the nasal spray?

Yes. Seasonal flu vaccines should be given to breastfeeding mothers and breastfeeding women can receive either the shot or the nasal spray form of the vaccine. Breastfeeding is fully compatible with flu vaccination, and preventing the flu in mothers can reduce the chance that the infant will get the flu. This is especially important for infants younger than 6 months old, since they are too young to be vaccinated.

What research shows that seasonal flu vaccine is safe for unborn babies?

Studies of several thousand pregnant women in scientific literature have assessed the safety of using the flu vaccine during pregnancy. These studies have shown no evidence of harm to pregnant women, to the unborn child (or fetus) or to newborns of vaccinated women. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) and CDC’s routine monitoring of adverse events has not raised safety concerns.

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What side effects have pregnant women experienced from the seasonal flu shot?

The most common side effects after flu shots are mild, such as being sore and tender and/or red and swollen where the shot was given. Some people might have headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea or feel tired. If these problems happen, they usually begin soon after the shot is given and may last as long as 1-2 days. Some people may faint after getting any shot. Sometimes, flu shots can cause serious problems like severe allergic reactions. But, life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. A person who has a severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs or to anything else in the vaccine should not get the shot, even if she is pregnant. Pregnant women should tell the person giving the shots if they have any severe allergies or if they have ever had a severe allergic reaction following a flu shot.

What studies has CDC conducted on adverse events in pregnant women who received seasonal flu vaccine?

CDC, in collaboration with FDA, recently conducted a search of reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) of pregnant women who received seasonal influenza vaccines from 1990 to 2009 to assess potential vaccine safety concerns. The results of this study were recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Overall, the study concluded that no unusual patterns of pregnancy complications or adverse fetal outcomes were observed in the VAERS reports of pregnant women after being given the flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine (while the nasal spray is not recommended for pregnant women, scientists were reassured to find that the inadvertent administration of this vaccine to pregnant women did not result in reported unexpected reactions). Data from CDC’s 19-year review of VAERS add to an existing body of evidence supporting the safety of the flu shot for pregnant women.
CDC is also conducting studies of flu vaccine safety and pregnancy through the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). The results of a VSD study of flu vaccine and spontaneous abortions were also published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The study provides reassuring findings that flu vaccine given to pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy does not increase the risk of spontaneous abortion.

What do studies show about pregnant women and the safety of last year’s flu vaccine?

Considerable efforts were made to study the safety of vaccinating pregnant women with the seasonal flu vaccine during 2010-2011. There were no signals or safety concerns identified in pregnant women who received the seasonal flu vaccine during this period.

How is the safety of the 2013-2014 seasonal flu vaccine being monitored?

As part of its influenza vaccine monitoring activities, CDC and FDA are monitoring the safety of seasonal influenza and other vaccines licensed for use in the United States, in cooperation with state and local health departments, health care providers, and other partners. Monitoring the safety of seasonal flu vaccine in pregnant women is part of this effort.
Two main systems being used to monitor flu vaccine safety are VAERS, which is jointly operated with FDA, and the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) Project, managed and coordinated by CDC’s Immunization Safety Office. Other systems are also being used. Through vaccine safety monitoring, CDC and FDA are able to quickly identify any clinically significant adverse events following immunization that warrant further study or action to protect the health of the public.
More information on Pregnant Women & Influenza (Flu).

Content from CDC

PREPAREDNESS ON A BUDGET - It Doesn’t Cost a lot to be Prepared

It is no secret that many families and individuals are looking to cut back on spending. But with the frequency of disasters, both natural and manmade, can you afford not to be prepared? Preparedness doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

September is National Preparedness Month, and we are asking you to help your family and friends prepare for whatever may come. Here are a few tips on how you can protect those that matter to you without spending a fortune.

Make a Plan. Work with you family and neighbors to make an emergency plan for the types of disasters that affect your area. Make sure everyone in your family understands where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. You can download Family Emergency Plan templates Ready.gov/make-a-plan.

Update Contact Information. Having accurate records for family, friends and neighbors will help you stay in contact and possibly help those in need. Make sure updated contact information is posted in visible places throughout your house and workplace. Family Emergency Plan

Check Your Policy. Review your insurance policy annually and make any necessary changes- and renters, do the same too! When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will get you back on your feet.

Make a Ready List. You may not need all of the items in ready-made preparedness kits. Choose the essentials that fit your needs and budget. Don’t forget to keep supplies at work and in your car. Sample Ready Lists can be found at Ready.gov/build-a-kit.

Plan Your Purchases. You can save money by thinking ahead. Don’t buy preparedness items just before a storm when they’re expensive and supplies will be in high demand. Buy items at the end of the season when you can get good deals.

Shop Sales. Shop at sales and used goods stores. Buy preparedness items throughout the year, instead of all at once, and you won’t notice the cost as much.

Make Sure it Keeps. Store water in safe, containers. You don’t need to buy expensive bottled water, just make sure your water containers are disinfected and airtight

Request a Gift. We all get things we don’t need. Suggest preparedness supplies as gifts from your friends and family. It just might save your life.

Trade a Night Out. Trade one night out to fund your 72-hour kit. Taking a family of four to the movies can cost upwards of $80. Just one night staying in could fund your Ready kit.

Start now! Take small steps toward preparedness and before you know it, you will be Ready!

For more information, check out:

Emergency Financial First Aid Kit

Follow us: @Readygov

Email us: ready@fema.gov  or citizencorps@dhs.gov

Order publications: call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585

Monthly Preparedness text messages: Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive monthly preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)

National Preparedness Month 2013

This September: You Can Be the Hero.

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM). It is a time to prepare yourself and those in your care for emergencies and disasters. If you’ve seen the news recently, you know that emergencies can happen unexpectedly in communities just like yours, to people like you. We’ve seen tornado outbreaks, river floods and flash floods, historic earthquakes, tsunamis, and even water main breaks and power outages in U.S. cities affecting millions of people for days at a time.

Police, fire and rescue may not always be able to reach you quickly in an emergency or disaster. The most important step you can take in helping your local responders is being able to take care of yourself and those in your care; the more people who are prepared, the quicker the community will recover

This September, please prepare and plan in the event you must go for three days without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket, or local services for several days. Just follow these four steps:

Stay Informed: Information is available from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial resources. Access Ready.gov to learn what to do before, during, and after an emergency.

Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with those in your care. For sample plans, see Ready.gov. Work together with neighbors, colleagues, and others to build community resilience.

Build a Kit: Keep enough emergency supplies - water, nonperishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, and battery-powered radio on hand - for you and those in your care.

Get Involved: There are many ways to get involved especially before a disaster occurs. The whole community can participate in programs and activities to make their families, homes and places of worship safer from risks and threats. Community leaders agree that the formula for ensuring a safer homeland consists of volunteers, a trained and informed public, and increased support of emergency response agencies during disasters.

By taking a few simple actions, you can make your family safer. Consider planning a Ready Kids event in your community to encourage families to get prepared with their children.

Volunteer to present preparedness information in your child’s class or in PTO/PTA meetings.

Invite officials from your local Office of Emergency Management, Citizen Corps Council, or first responder teams to speak at schools or youth events.

Use local emergency management resources to learn more about preparedness in your community.

Contact your local emergency management agency to get essential information on specific hazards to your area, local plans for shelter and evacuation, ways to get information before and during an emergency, and how to sign up for emergency alerts if they are available

Contact your local firehouse and ask for a tour and information about preparedness

Get involved with your local American Red Cross Chapter or train with a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

For more information, check out:

Ready.gov/be-informed

Ready.gov/make-a-plan

Ready.gov/build-a-kit

Ready.gov/get-involved

Follow us: @Readygov

Email us: ready@fema.gov  or citizencorps@dhs.gov

Monthly Preparedness text messages: Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive monthly

preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)

Order publications: call 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585

Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder

 that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

You want to do what is best for your children. You know about the importance of car seats, baby gates and other ways to keep them safe. But, did you know that one of the best ways to protect your children is to make sure they have all of their vaccinations? 

Immunizations can save your child’s life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction – primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. One example of the great impact that vaccines can have is the elimination of polio in the United States. Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States.

Vaccination is very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of injection but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Immunization protects others you care about. Children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. In fact, we have seen resurgences of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) over the past few years. In 2010 the U.S. had over 21,000 cases of whooping cough reported and 26 deaths, most in children younger than 6 months. Unfortunately, some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated and some people may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons. To help keep them safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.

Immunizations can save your family time and money. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be denied attendance at schools or daycare facilities. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In contrast, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance. The Vaccines for Children program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children from low-income families.

To find out more about the VFC program, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/ or ask your child’s health care professional.

Immunization protects future generations. Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago. For example, smallpox vaccination eradicated that disease worldwide. Your children don’t have to get smallpox shots any more because the disease no longer exists. By vaccinating children against rubella (German measles), the risk that pregnant women will pass this virus on to their fetus or newborn has been dramatically decreased, and birth defects associated with that virus no longer are seen in the United States. If we continue vaccinating now, and vaccinating completely, parents in the future may be able to trust that some diseases of today will no longer be around to harm their children in the future.

For more information about the importance of infant immunization, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

ADULTS: IMMUNIZATIONS ARE NOT JUST FOR KIDS

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

That’s right. The need for immunizations doesn’t end with childhood. Each year, thousands of adults in the United States suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, or even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines, including influenza, whooping cough, certain bacterial infections, hepatitis A and B, shingles, and even some cancers such as cervical cancer and liver cancer. Talk to your doctor today to find out which vaccines are recommended for you.

           

Most people don’t realize that adults need immunizations, too. While many recognize that a flu vaccine is recommended every year, few adults are aware of the need for other vaccines to help protect their health.

Protection from some childhood immunizations wears off over time, leaving you vulnerable to disease. For example, there has been a rise in cases of whooping cough in the last few years with over 41,000 cases being reported in 2012. We have learned that the protection from DTaP whooping cough vaccine given to children doesn’t last into adulthood, so all adults are now recommended to get one dose of Tdap whooping cough vaccine.

Adults may be recommended for certain vaccines due to their age, job, hobbies, travel, or health condition. Other vaccines may be recommended if they didn’t get certain vaccines as children. 

Check your immunization records to be sure you got the HPV vaccine, Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, and varicella “chicken pox” vaccines.

Some adults, including older adults and those that have chronic health conditions, may be at higher risk for serious complications from some vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, because older age increases the chance of getting shingles, CDC recommends that adults get the shingles vaccine once they turn 60 years old.

People with diabetes, heart disease, and COPD or asthma, even if well managed, are more likely than those without these conditions to have complications from the flu. To prevent possible complications like pneumonia, people with these chronic conditions should get a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in addition to a yearly flu vaccine.

But those aren’t the only reasons to stay up-to-date on vaccinations. 

Adult immunization is necessary because it not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of certain diseases to loved ones and those in the community who are most vulnerable to disease (like those with weakened immune systems and infants).

They don’t have a choice, but you do.

Vaccines are available at private doctor’s offices, as well as other convenient locations such as pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, and health departments. To find an immunization provider near you, go to http://vaccine.healthmap.org.

Getting vaccinated is an important step we can take to protect ourselves and loved ones from vaccine-preventable diseases. Yet too many adults—perhaps even you—are not up to date. Talk with your doctor to find out which vaccines are right for you.

For more information on vaccines or to take an adult vaccine quiz to find out which vaccines you might need, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/index.html.

Pre-teens and Teens Need HPV Vaccine Now to Prevent HPV-related Cancers Later

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder

 that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

HPV vaccination is recommended for pre-teen girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years. If your son or daughter hasn’t started or finished the HPV vaccine series yet – it’s not too late! Now is a good time to ask their doctor or nurse about vaccines for your pre-teens and teens.

HPV is short for human papillomavirus. In the U.S. each year, there are about 18,000 women and 7,000 men affected by HPV-related cancers. In both women and men, HPV can cause anal cancer and mouth/throat (oropharyngeal) cancer. It can also cause cancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina in women, and cancer of the penis in men. The HPV infections that cause these cancers could be prevented with vaccination.

The HPV vaccine has a very good safety record. More than 46 million doses have been distributed and vaccine safety studies continue to show that HPV vaccines are safe.

Jacquelyn, a real-life mother of two and cervical cancer survivor, shares her story:

When I got a Pap test after my son was born, I found out I had cancer and needed a total hysterectomy.

My husband and I have been together for 15 years, and we were planning to have more children. We are so grateful for our two wonderful children, but we were hoping for more – which is not going to happen now.

Although they caught the cancer early, I still have medical issues taking time away from my family, my friends and my job.

Worse, every time the doctor calls, I hold my breath until I get the results. Cancer is always in the back of my mind.

I will protect my son and daughter by getting them both the HPV vaccine as soon as they turn 11. I tell everyone to get the HPV vaccine series to protect them from this kind of cancer.

For more information about the HPV vaccine and the other vaccines recommended for pre-teens call the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5119 or visit:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/who/teens/for-parents.html

Do you have a pre-teen or teen? Protect them against serious diseases!

Leaving their phone at a friend’s house, suddenly needing a ride somewhere … you knew there would be days like this. But did you know that you’d also need to take your pre-teens and teens to get shots?

As they get older, kids are at increased risk for some infections. Plus the protection provided by some of the childhood vaccines begins to wear off, so kids need a booster dose. You may have heard about pertussis (whooping cough) outbreaks recently. Vaccine-preventable diseases are still real. The vaccines for pre-teens and teens can help protect your kids, as well as their friends, community and other family members.

There are four recommended vaccines that pre-teens should get when they are 11 or 12 years old. If you have an older kid like a teen, they’ll need a booster dose of one of the shots. Plus it’s not too late to get any shots they may have missed. You can use any healthcare visit, including sports physicals or some sick visits, to get the shots your kids need. The vaccines for pre-teens and teens are:

·         HPV vaccine for both boys and girls, which protects against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cancer. HPV can cause cancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina in women and cancers of the penis in men. In both women and men, HPV also causes mouth/throat cancer, anal cancer and genital warts.

·         Tdap vaccine, which is a booster against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Pertussis, or whooping cough, can keep kids out of school and activities for weeks. It can also be spread to babies, which can be very dangerous and sometimes deadly.

·         Meningococcal vaccine, which protects against meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria and is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis – a serious infection around the brain and spinal cord.

·         Influenza (flu) vaccine, because even healthy kids can get the flu, and it can be serious. All kids, including your pre-teens and teens, should get the flu vaccine every year.

Talk with a doctor, nurse, or clinic about the vaccines for pre-teens and teens. Even though they may not realize it, your kids still need you for more than a ride somewhere. They need you to continue protecting their health by getting them these important and life-saving vaccines.

Want to learn more about the vaccines for pre-teens and teens? Check out www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

MCHD WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC) PROGRAM IS CELEBRATING WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK WITH A SPECIAL EVENT

The Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 - 8 ).  This year’s theme is “BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT: CLOSE TO MOTHERS” and highlights the importance of breastfeeding counselors. Even when mothers are able to get off to a good start, all too often in the weeks or months after delivery there is a sharp decline in breastfeeding practices. This is when mothers do not visit a healthcare facility and a community support system for mothers is essential. By employing breastfeeding counselors who work directly with WIC mothers, the MCHD WIC program provides the needed support system.

Not only moms, but the entire community needs to be aware of the importance of breastfeeding during the first year of life.   Many medical authorities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly recommend breastfeeding because breast milk provides several benefits for infants: breast milk contains antibodies that can help the baby fight off viral and bacterial infections, contributes to proper weight gain and has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood. There are also benefits for a mother who is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding mothers have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer and tend to lose the weight gained during pregnancy faster because of the calories burned when they breastfeed.

The MCHD WIC Program encourages breastfeeding mothers, expecting mothers and others to come out to enjoy, learn and share as we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week in our community with a “Breastfeeding Awareness Walk” in Monongalia County (details follow).

The Monongalia County WIC Office will be honoring and supporting breastfeeding families with a “Breastfeeding Awareness Walk” on Thursday August 8^th at 7:00 p.m.  The Walk begins at the top of High Street in downtown Morgantown.  Breastfeeding moms, babies, their families and all who wish to join in the celebration are welcome.  Walkers will meet at the intersection of High and Wiley Streets, in front of the Wesley United Methodist Church, at 7:00 p.m. The group will walk along the right sidewalk to the Courthouse Square where everyone will enjoy light refreshments, small gifts, drawings, and each other’s company.  The Morgantown Police Department will assist with street crossings. This is the 5^th year for this event!  The Walk is co-sponsored by the MCHD WIC Program and the Ruby Memorial Breastfeeding Task Force.  For more information call the Monongalia County WIC Office at 304-598-5181.

Join us in a World Breastfeeding Week Celebration and show your support for a stronger, healthier community through breastfeeding! 

Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness

The best defense is prevention. Here are some prevention tips:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • People who have a mental illness
  • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.
• Try to rest often in shady areas.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

This information provided by NCEH's Health Studies Branch.

CDC urges everyone: Get ready to stay cool before temperatures soar

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging people to prepare for extreme heat this summer by staying cool, hydrated, and informed. “No one should die from a heat wave, but every year on average, extreme heat causes 658 deaths in the United States—more than tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and lightning combined,” said Robin Ikeda, MD, MPH, acting director of the National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. “Taking common sense steps in extreme temperatures can prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths.”
Extreme heat can lead to very high body temperatures, brain and organ damage, and even death. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and cool themselves properly. Extreme heat affects everyone, but the elderly, children, the poor or homeless, persons who work or exercise outdoors, and those with chronic medical conditions are most at risk.
A study released today in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that 7,233 heat-related deaths occurred in the United States from 1999 to 2009. An analysis of 2012 data indicates that deaths are on the rise. In a 2-week period in 2012, excessive heat exposure resulted in 32 deaths in four states, four times the typical average for those states for the same 2-week period from 1999-2009. More than two thirds of the deaths (69 percent) occurred at home, and 91 percent of those homes lacked air conditioning. Most of those who died were unmarried or living alone, and 72 percent were male.
According to CDC’s Environmental Tracking Network from 1999 to 2009 three states, Arizona, California, and Texas accounted for approximately 40 percent of all heat-related deaths in the United States. Across the nation, heat-related deaths occur more frequently among males and among adults aged 65 and older.
CDC recommends that local governments engage in advanced planning and preparation to minimize deaths from extreme heat events and to heighten public awareness about the dangers of excessive heat exposure. Advance planning should include increasing access to air conditioning, cooling stations or other public locations that can be used by residents for temporary relief from heat, particularly when temperatures are elevated for several consecutive days.
“Heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable. Taking steps to stay cool, hydrated and informed in extreme temperatures can prevent serious health effects like heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” said Ethel Taylor, DVM, MPH, the study’s lead author.
CDC is offering new resources, including a new website to prepare for extreme heat, new data on heat-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and a Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events guidebook. The new resources not only provide prevention information; but also, data to illustrate the devastating impact extreme heat exposure can exert on a person’s daily life.

New Resources on Extreme Heat

• Extreme Heat and Your Health Website: This new page collects CDC resources on extreme heat in one place and provides information on how to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths for a variety of audiences. The site can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/
• Environmental Public Health Tracking Data: CDC’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network introduces new data on heat-stress hospitalizations and emergency room visits from 2000-2011. This adds to the records already available on extreme temperatures, heat-related deaths, and social and environmental conditions that make people vulnerable to extreme heat. Decision makers can use these data to plan how and where to focus efforts to protect the public from extreme heat. The Tracking Network can be accessed at www.cdc.gov/ephtracking.
• Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events Guidebook: This recently released guidebook for state and local health departments describes how to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events and explains how the frequency, duration, and severity of these events are increasing as a result of climate change. An audio file for the recent CDC extreme heat event webinar is also available for tips and guidance. The guidebook is available at http://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/pubs/ClimateChangeandExtremeHeatEvents.pdf The webinar archive can be accessed at: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/meetingArchive?eventId=qozysq4qk56y
• Workplace Solutions Bulletin: This recently released NIOSH bulletin provides updated statistics, case studies and recommendations for workers and employers to follow in order to reduce the risk of heat-related illness when working outdoors. The report provides specific guidance, examples and it adds to the available resources that illustrate how extreme heat exposures can lead to occupational illnesses and injuries and possible death. The NIOSH resources are available at:
  http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2013-143/
  http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/

For more information on extreme heat and heat safety, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or visit www.cdc.gov/extremeheat.

Men's Health Month: Take action daily to live a healthier and productive life.

Men can make their health a priority. Take action daily to live a healthier and productive life.

 

Take a bike ride. Toss a ball. Eat less salt. Try more veggies. There are many easy things you can do every day to improve your health and stay healthy.

Get Good Sleep

Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Also, insufficient sleep is responsible for motor vehicle and machinery-related accidents, causing substantial injury and disability each year. Sleep guidelines from the National Sleep Foundation have noted that sleep needs change as we age. In general, adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep.

• Sleep and Sleep Disorders

Toss out the Tobacco

It’s never too late to quit. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. It improves your health and lowers your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related illnesses.
Also avoid being around secondhand smoke. Inhaling other people's smoke causes health problems similar to those that smokers have. Babies and kids are still growing, so the poisons in secondhand smoke hurt them more than adults.

• Smokefree.gov
• Protecting Our Children from Secondhand Smoke

Move More

Adults need at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) every week, and muscle strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms) on two or more days a week. You don't have to do it all at once. Spread your activity out during the week, and break it into smaller chunks of time during the day.

• Physical Activity for Everyone
• Physical Activity and Disability

Eat Healthy

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. They are sources of many vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol. Choose healthy snacks.

• Nutrition for Everyone
• Eat Less Salt

Tame Stress

Sometimes stress can be good. However, it can be harmful when it is severe enough to make you feel overwhelmed and out of control. Take care of yourself. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Find support. Connect socially. Stay active.

• Managing Stress
• Meditation

Stay on Top of Your Game

See your doctor or nurse for regular checkups. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help diagnose issues early or before they can become a problem.

• Get the Preventive Medical Tests You Need

• Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age (AHRQ)

Pay attention to signs and symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, and problems with urination. If you have these or symptoms of any kind, be sure to see your doctor right away. Don’t wait!

• Cancer and Men
• HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease Signs and Symptoms

Keep track of your numbers for blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), or any others you may have. If your numbers are high or low, your doctor or nurse can explain what they mean and suggest how you can get them to a healthier range. Be sure to ask him or her what tests you need and how often you need them.

• High Blood Pressure
• Checking Your Blood Glucose
• Cholesterol
• BMI

Get vaccinated. Everyone needs immunizations to stay healthy, no matter how old you are. Even if you had vaccines as a child, immunity can fade with time. Vaccine recommendations are based on a variety of factors, including age, overall health, and your medical history.
Vaccines can protect you and your loved ones from serious diseases like: influenza (flu); shingles; pneumococcal disease; human papillomavirus (HPV) infection; and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whopping cough)—all three of which the Tdap shot protects against.
Other vaccinations you may need include those that protect against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox (varicella), measles, mumps, and rubella. Ask your doctor or nurse which vaccines you need to stay healthy.

• Vaccine Information for Adults

Content from CDC