Health Notes

A Guide to Carnival Celebrations

by dr.kotula on January 27, 2012

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Italy…

Those locations all sound lovely this time of year don’t they? Besides the beautiful weather and stunning scenery – these are also popular locations because of their Carnival celebrations!

Yes, soon it will be Carnival season, with many beginning the Saturday before Lent and concluding with Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday”.

Many attend Carnival festivities for the chance to eat a wide variety of foods, taste an abundance of beverages and dance the night away.

While all that sounds fun, Carnival celebrations can have their downfalls. Venturing to these events can put you at risk for:

  • Injuries from crime
  • Unsafe food
  • Excessive drinking
  • Risky sex
  • Heat-related illness
  • Malaria and other tropical diseases (depending on the country)

Whether you are heading to Rio or New Orleans, keep the following in mind as you prepare for your destination:

  • Do some research about the area you are visiting, paying attention to potential risks
  • Consider visiting a travel medicine clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure
  • Make sure vaccinations are current for all those traveling

Now that we have you taken care of before you go, here are some things to remember once you have arrived.

  • Stay safe. Americans can often be the targets of crime so keep your travel to the daytime hours, stay out of dangerous areas and always travel with a companion.
  • Eat safe: These celebrations draw out the street vendors. Eat food that is cooked and served hot.
  • Drink safe: Only drink fluids from sealed cans or bottles and be wary of ice, unless it has been made from bottled water.
  • Drink smart: If you are going to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, do so in moderation. Drinking excessively can lead to risky behavior.
  • Drink smart II: In many of these countries heat-related illnesses can occur, especially if you are coming from Nebraska! Make sure you are drinking plenty of bottled water, find shade when necessary and wear your sun screen.

Once you return home your work is not over. Watch your health and see your physician if:

  • You develop a fever with a cough or sore throat and you have trouble breathing
  • You develop a fever, chills, headache or flu-like symptoms, especially if you were in a country where malaria was present.

These types of celebrations can truly be fun and memorable so take the time to prepare properly before you go and enjoy – wisely – your time while there!

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Shingles Targets Older Population

by dr.kotula on January 20, 2012

Shingles is a disease that impacts about 1 out of 3 Americans, with an estimated one million U.S. cases every year.

In most cases, those who often suffer with shingles are over the age of 60, but children have been known to contract the disease.

Shingles and chickenpox have something in common – both are caused by the varicella zoster virus. If a person has had the chickenpox, the virus will remain in the body, but is dormant. We don’t know why, but years down the road the virus can rear its ugly head – resulting in a case of shingles.

Who is at greater risk?

As I mentioned above, most men and women over the age of 60 are most susceptible. Others who may be at risk include:

  • Those whose immune systems don’t work correctly
  • People who may be suffering from cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma or HIV
  • Those who take immunosuppressive drugs (steroids) or medications prescribed after an organ transplant

What are the signs or symptoms?

  • Shingles begins as a very painful rash, usually on the face or somewhere on the body.
  • Prior to rash, painful itching/tingling can be expected
  • Rash area will develop blisters, scabbing over within 7 to 10 days.
  • Area clears itself within two to four weeks.
  • Other symptoms can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach

Can it be passed from person to person?

No, shingles can’t be passed to someone else. However, the virus itself can be passed from someone with shingles to someone who has not had the chickenpox. When this occurs, the person may get the chickenpox, but not shingles.

Transmission of the virus can occur when direct contact is made with fluid from the blisters. The disease can not be spread via coughing, sneezing or simple contact.

If you have shingles, you can eliminate the spreading of the illness to others by:

  • Keeping the rash covered
  • Not scratching or touching the rash
  • Washing your hands so as to not spread the virus
  • Avoid contact with those who have not had the chickenpox

Is there a vaccination?
Yes, a vaccine is available for shingles and it is highly recommended for those 60 and older. The one-time vaccination has shown to reduce the risk of shingles by 51 percent. You should ask your health care provider for more information about the vaccination.

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Raw Milk Not Always a Safe Choice

January 13, 2012

As you continue along your path to a health 2012, perhaps you are making nutritional changes to reach your goals. There are those who believe that foods that have undergone minimal processing are more beneficial to your body. While this may be true in some cases, one food in which this is not accurate is [...]

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Make 2012 A Healthy, Happy Year

January 6, 2012

It’s January 6 – how are those New Year’s resolutions working out for you? According to a poll conducted by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion: More than 50 percent of Americans don’t even bother to make resolutions. In 2010, quitting smoking was the most popular resolution made, followed by losing weight, saving more money, [...]

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Family Health Histories are Important

December 30, 2011

It is hard to believe 2011 has come and gone and we will ring in 2012 in just a few short hours. I hope you were successful on all those New Year’s resolutions you made last year! As you begin to look toward 2012 one New Year’s goal I suggest you add to your list [...]

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A Little Toy Safety Never Hurts

December 22, 2011

The presents are wrapped and under the tree – well except those that will be delivered from Santa on Christmas Eve. The anticipation of that new toy is building for your child or children and rightfully so. After the excitement and squeals of delight have faded, you might want to double-check your toys to ensure [...]

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Travel Alert Issued For Southern Areas of Vietnam

December 16, 2011

For those of you who may be traveling over the holidays the Centers for Disease Control and the Vietnamese Ministry of Health have announced a travel alert for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). At this time, the concern is focused on the southern region of Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh [...]

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Tips for the Holidays

December 9, 2011

The shopping, the baking, the decorating, the traveling…oh my! It’s the holiday season and with all the hustle and bustle this time of year we often forget about the most important thing – our health. Here are some ways you and your family can stay healthy and happy this holiday season. Keep those hands washed. [...]

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World AIDS Day Raises Awareness

December 2, 2011

On Thursday, Dec. 1, organizations, individuals, medical professionals and others observed World AIDS Day. The theme for this year – “Leading with Science, Uniting for Action” – spotlighted the global effort toward HIV/AIDS prevention, the strides which have been made and the work that still lies ahead. From a global perspective here is what we [...]

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Don’t Rub Those Pink Eyes!

November 18, 2011

What beautiful pink eyes you have!!! Now we all realize that no one really has pink eyes – but this time of year you might hear parents and adults talking about “Pink Eye”. The official name for pink eye is conjunctivitis – but pink eye sounds more fun don’t you think? Conjunctivitis is very common [...]

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