Health in the News
Be Safe in the Sun... Protect yourself
Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. You can have fun in the sun and be SAFE. For more information on being safe in the sun visit the American Cancer Society website.
- Always apply a water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to ALL exposed skin. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
- Cover up with clothing; such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
- Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
- Use extra caution near water, snow and sand the reflection of the sun is damaging, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
- Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements.
- Avoid tanning beds. Tanning beds can even be more harmful than the sun alone. Increasing your risk of skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, try a sunless self-tanning product, but still use sunscreen.
- Check your birthday suit on your birthday. Annual checks to look for anything changing, growing or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.
Flu Prevention Tips
- Wash your hands frequently using warm water and soap, scrubbing all surfaces for about 10 seconds. Some flu viruses can live up to two hours on surfaces like desks, phones and door knobs.
- Avoid touching your face, unless you have clean hands. The eyes, nose and mouth are entry ports for flu viruses.
- Cover your mouth with a disposable tissue when coughing and sneezing. Dispose of tissues and wash your hands immediately.
- Avoid sharing objects (cups, utensils, etc.). Wipe down shared equipment such as phones and keyboards.
- Get enough sleep and manage your stress. Lack of sleep and high levels of stress can reduce immune functioning, thus lowering the body's ability to fend off colds and flu.
- Drink more water. You may not feel as thirsty during fall and winter, but it's important to make sure you don't get dehydrated.Consume at least 8 glasses a day.
- Maintain a moderate exercise program 3-4 days a week. It will strengthen the immune system and increase the body's natural ability to fight infection.
- Eat healthfully. Remember to eat the recommended 5-9 servings per day of fruits and vegetables.
- Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol can be dehydrating which, in turn, may decrease your resistance.
- Finally, listen to your body. Stay home if you have a fever and are coughing. You will feel better, recover faster if you rest and reduce the risk of infecting others.
MRSA
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa.html
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. MRSA infections that occur in otherwise healthy people who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (such as dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as community-associated (CA)-MRSA infections.