Tuesday July 5, 2011
I get this question a lot. Everyone who has ever had a fever or whose child has had a fever wants to know - how high is too high? When do we go from treating it at home to rushing to the hospital?
Fortunately, you almost never need to rush to the hospital due to a fever alone. Although fevers can be scary and make us feel pretty miserable, it is just a symptom of an illness, not an illness itself. The course of action you take really depends on all of your symptoms, not a number on a thermometer.
Most people who ask this question are concerned because they believe that a high fever can cause brain damage. Or at least they heard that at one time. I'm happy to report that there is no proof or evidence that fevers cause brain damage, regardless of how high they get.
So the next time you or someone you know gets a fever, try to relax. We have a lot of great resources to help you figure out what could be causing the fever and what you can do about it.
Wednesday June 29, 2011
Vomiting is terrible, there is no denying that. No one wants to experience this horrible symptom, but nearly all of us will at some point in our lives.
Fortunately, vomiting is usually caused by a stomach bug that will run it's course within about 24 hours. But there are many other things that can cause vomiting. Although they are less common, some can be very serious, so it is important to rule them out. Things like appendicitis, meningitis and severe head injuries can all cause vomiting - and they are all medical emergencies.
If you are trying to determine what could be causing your vomiting and what you should do about it, check out this handy step by step tool to evaluate your vomiting. It will take you through potential causes, when to see a doctor and how you can treat your vomiting.
Tuesday June 21, 2011
Avoiding germs can be a challenge. If you have young children or a weakened immune system, it can be even more difficult. So what do you do to keep yourself and your family healthy?
Washing your hands frequently is a a good start, but just rinsing them under water for a few seconds won't cut it.
Teaching young children to wash their hands is not easy, but there are now many products on the market that will make it easier for you.
Other than washing your hands, eating right, staying active and getting enough rest will also help you stay healthy. You may also want to stay away from your sick coworkers and avoid those "out of town" germs while you are traveling.
If you haven't found enough tips to stay healthy here, share some of your own ideas!
Wednesday June 15, 2011
After much speculation and confusion, German officials now believe they have identified the source of the deadly E. coli outbreak in Europe to sprouts grown on an organic farm in Northern Germany. Affected sprouts include bean and seed sprouts from fenugreek, mung beans, lentils, adzuki beans and alfalfa. At this point, officials are recommending that Germans throw away all sprouts and any other food that has come into contact with sprouts until further notice.
This outbreak has proven to be especially severe due to the high number of people who have suffered from a serious complication known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). In typical E. coli outbreaks - usually caused by E. coli O157 - between 5 and 10 percent of people who get sick end up with HUS. In contrast, nearly 25% of people who have been affected by this outbreak have been diagnosed with HUS.
It has now claimed the lives of 37 people, including it's first child. Fortunately, reporting of new cases seems to be declining, which hopefully means an end to the outbreak will come soon.
For more information about the E. coli outbreak in Europe, read:
