Sunday, December 30, 2007
Copyright 2006 Peter Nisbet
In Part 1 I explained how a lack of knowledge about measles symptoms and resistance to MMR has resulted in some parents starting up 'measles parties' to ensure that their children caught measles early and so gain immunity that way. This is mistaken in my view and many people are unaware that measles is still a major killer. In part II I will explain to parents what the measles symptoms are, in what order they should appear and when to call a doctor.
As a parent you should learn how to recognise measles symptoms. If your child has had the disease, or is immunized, you probably don't need to know this, but if not you could save a life by being aware of the most important measles symptoms and when to get medical help. Back in the 1950s and 60s they all knew measles symptoms when they saw the, but not now, so let's try to spot the them in the rough order in which they normally appear. It's not easy since many childhood infections have similar symptoms. However, they all have at least one which is particular to that disease.
Measles symptoms:
Measles frequently start with symptoms similar to those of a cold or the flu.
1. First a runny nose and a 'sniffle', followed by a sore throat.. A typical 'barking' cough can then develop. So far, you would not think 'measles' The eyes will puff up, may become watery and get red and sore looking. If you know of a possible measles contact you can now get suspicious.
2. A slight increase in temperature will develop, and will increase to around 39 Celsius (102F). The child may shy away from the light or close her eyes when a light is switched on. At this point you may want to call a doctor. If so, you will catch the disease early, but the symptoms are not yet definitely indicative of measles. Most parents will still regard these symptoms as a' bit of a cold' or a 'touch of the flu'.
3. You may not notice this, but about 2 to 3 days after the first symptoms appear, your child will get small spots on the inside of the cheek, round about the molars, called Koplik's Spots. These look like small red bumps with tiny grains of sand or salt in the middle. These may last less than a day and sometimes even appear within the first 36 hours. If you are with it and aware, you will see this, and you should call your doctor at this stage. This the definitive measles symptom. No other infection shows Koplik's spots. These spots disappear as the main rash appears. They are photographed on my website.
5. The temperature will probably have reduced a bit by now to 37 – 38C (just at or below 100F). You think perhaps she is getting better.
6. The main rash starts to appear about 1 or 2 days after the Koplik's spots. It forms small spots which join together to form blotches. Definitely doctor time! There is a picture of a measles rash on my website.
7. The rash appears on the forehead around the hairline first, then to the neck, body, arms and legs. By this time you will have called a doctor and your child is diagnosed with measles unless you have an inexperienced doctor, when samples may be taken to identify the virus.
8. The temperature increases again to over 40C or higher (105F). No need for samples now - if the Koplik's spots were missed, this is definitely measles, but by now it is dying out.
9. The rash lasts about 4 days then starts to disappear from the head down. The whole process, from start of symptoms to disappearance of the rash, takes about 10 days on average. The rash itself last about 6 days.
A person with measles is infectious from 4 days before the rash appears to about 4 days after it has appeared, so it can be passed around before any measles symptoms show.
Those most at risk are:
Young children under one year old. Malnourished people. Children who have depressed immune systems, such as those on some cancer treatments or are infected with HIV or AIDS. Children suffering from a Vitamin A deficiency. Pregnant women: the infection can cause miscarriage or premature delivery.
It is said that a doctor's surgery can be a dangerous place. Measles is extremely contagious, and around 90% of close proximity contacts will catch the disease. If any of the above high risk patients are present in the surgery waiting room when you take your child suspected of having measles, you may be placing them at special risk.
Doctors may not like this, but for this reason alone I suggest that you call a doctor rather than take a child suspected of having measles to the surgery. This is another argument against those who would rather have their child catch measles at a measles party than be given a vaccination to prevent them from contracting it.
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Peter Nisbet is a graduate research chemist who took an interest in childhood diseases when his son contracted meningitis and encephalitis after receiving a measles vaccine. He decided to learn as much as he could and more information on measles is available at http://www.childhood-diseases-online.com/measles-symptoms.html
You can read more about children's ilnesses on http://www.childhood-diseases-online.com
Skin cancer and sun exposure whilst at work
As summer and the long days of prolonged hot sunshine is upon us once again, the natural instinct to remove items of clothing as the sun comes out is evident. But could your employer be liable if you suffer from skin cancer as a result of removing clothing and not being supplied skin protection cream or sun lotions?
An extensive search for court rulings in which an employer was held responsible for one of their staff contracting skin cancer whilst at work has provider no evidence and no case law provided. However this does not mean that an employer in the future might be found liable if they do not protect their employee's welfare whilst at work.
The risks created by the suns rays should never be ignored, but what is being said is that you as an employee are not completely responsible for your own skin protection and employers to some extent must take ownership of the associated risks.
Free sun protection creams and guidance information on the risks of sun exposure should be supplied to employees if they are exposed for considerable amounts of time in the sun, as an example lets think about external workers such as builders, external landscapers etc.
A suggestion if you are spending prolonged periods of time in the sun to protect yourself is to when ever possible wear long sleeved, loose fitting clothing. Not only will this protect your skin, it will also help to keep the body temperature down and also minimise the risk of a heat stroke. Your employer could supply light weight clothing which allows the body top breathe in all weathers or prohibit the removing of clothing for their own safety.
Advise on using sun barrier creams could be instigated and the rule to use these for skin protection mandatory whilst exposed to the sun. A sun protection of no less than Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 should be used as this will provide adequate protection.
Also advice on breaks that they should be taken in doors or in the shade out of the suns rays is another way protection can be offered. If temperatures are particularly hot then, your employer might want to consider being flexible with break allowances incorporating more frequent short rest breaks out of the sun. This time could be used to apply more protection barrier creams and to re hydrate by drinking more fresh cold drinking water.
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Buying Exercise Equipment: Get The Best for Less
Copyright 2006 Howard McGarity
Unless you are already an equipment expert, this article will help you choose wisely so that you can get the best for less.
After making the commitment to begin a diet and fitness program, the first step many people take is to purchase of some sort of exercise equipment. If you do this, it will also be your first big obstacle, simply because the overwhelming selection makes it extremely difficult to know where to begin.
Be careful! This is where many will make their first big fitness mistake. Millions of dollars and countless unused pieces of exercise equipment fill garages and basements across the country, a testament to poor choices and hasty decisions.
The first and best decision you can make, to get the biggest bang for your buck, is to put your credit cards in the deep freeze and ask yourself these simple questions:
1. What are your fitness goals?
What you hope to achieve has everything to do with what sort of workout program you should follow and what equipment you might need. Do you want to primarily lose weight and firm up? Do you want to increase your strength or do you want to really build significant muscle mass?
2. How much experience do you have?
Are you confident that you can design a program to achieve the goals you just outlined? Will you need help with this? Were you a regular exerciser in the past? Have you tried a variety of equipment and for long enough to really get a feel for it?
3. What are the practical considerations of your intended purchase?
How much space do you have? Do you plan to move any time soon? (Some equipment can be the devil to transport.) How much can you afford to spend regardless of what you think you might need? Since the cost of some equipment could equal a three-year gym membership, is joining a gym out of the question?
Now, considering the fact that simple is usually best, and that the fanciest and finest equipment will not get you in shape unless you use it, think about this:
Your goals dictate your exercise plan which in turn affects the equipment you may need. If you have only a little experience with exercise, consider a minimalist approach toward equipment. This will not compromise your progress.
Until you are in an exercise groove; until a lifestyle of physical activity becomes habit, statistics confirm that you probably will not stick with it. Why not create the habit of simply walking before buying a $1,500 treadmill that will likely end up in the garage collecting dust.
Let the success of your exercise program justify the expense, before you make your purchase. You may find that you don't want a treadmill after all.
The same holds true for strength training. Before buying a multi-purpose home gym, try simple hand weights which are highly effective, inexpensive and all you need to get on track. Bodybuilders actually prefer "free" weights in most cases. If you choose to buy a gym later, you can still use the hand weights.
Once you have made some progress your goals might change. Quite possibly, you will find that your present workouts are all you need. If, on the other hand, you want to expand your exercise possibilities, consider joining a gym for a month or so. Maybe buy a few sessions with a personal trainer. Try out the different machines until you get comfortable. Pay attention to what "gym quality" feels like; some affordable home-style machines can be disappointing.
It is important to know what suits you, before you begin shopping. Without this experience, it is easy to make a premature decision after a brief "test drive" with a salesman breathing down your neck.
Get to know your stuff before spending your hard-earned money. You will know exactly what you need and when a particular piece of equipment feels right. After making an informed decision as to what is best, you can wait and look for sales and bargains.
Most importantly, you will avoid making impulsive decisions, emptying your wallet and ending up with a piece of junk or something you don't really need.
"Be Strong…. Be Lean" Howard McGarity "Coach Mac"
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Howard McGarity has studied human physical performance for most of his fifty-five years. He leads a program designed to help people get off of their perpetual diets so that they can get permanently lean, strong and healthy. For more ideas go to:
http://www.DumpYourDiet.com