Barb's Daily Dose

Excellent Question Regarding Swine Flu

2009-12-16T03:44:00-08:00

A question was posed to me from a mom who was sent a link to my segment on a local ABC channel. She believes it was from a parent at her son's school. Here is her question:

QUESTION:

I have a question about siblings of a swine flu patient. Should they be staying home from school if they don't have symptoms? My daughter is 4 and was diagnosed yesterday at the doctor's office as being positive for flu A. My 6 year old son's school does not want him to come to school for 5 days after she is free of fever. I can not find that guidance on the CDC or the SCCGOV.ORG. Do you have anything to show when a sibling should (or shouldn't) go to school?

ANSWER:

I hope your daughter is feeling better and is recovering. As a Mom, I remember how scary it is when your little ones are sick with the flu. And, this year, it is particularly frightening.

You're right, there is no guidance from the CDC or SCC public health. I believe, and this is my opinion, that if at all possible, that you also keep him home. People can be contagious for 1 day prior to any symptoms and up to 7 days after being fever free.

Not everyone with H1N1 will have a fever, and I'm saying this because of your children's ages and the likelihood that they will be around other children under the age of 6. This group however is the highest risk group for serious complications, even death. Unfortunately, there have been more pediatric deaths related to swine flu (H1N1) so far this year than for the past 3 years of seasonal flu. Also, many children this age, also have moms who are pregnant and they too are at considerable risk.

Having said this, I know that not everyone in your children's school will follow these guidelines and will send their children to school even when "slightly sick" or with a sick sibling at home. It's a question of minimizing the risk to others and I want to thank you for being responsible and trying to help other moms not have to deal with a seriously sick child.

All the Best!

Avoiding Nipple Confusion: Finding The Magic Window

2009-12-15T03:38:00-08:00

Do you remember learning in Biology class about the scientist, Konrad Lorenz, who taught baby ducks to follow him around as if he were their mother. He found that there are critical windows when you can imprint behavior in ducks. OK, I'm not saying that your baby is a duck, but what most lactation consultants and pediatric nurses know is that you can imprint feeding flexibility in your newborn also during a "Magic Window".

Scientists use the term, critical window, but my patients seem to like the term, Magic Window. better. Why am I telling you this? Well, if you are a new mom and you have to return to work or know that you're going to want your baby to be able to take a bottle of pumped milk, or formula once in awhile and continue to breastfeed, you have to know about this Magic Window.In general, newborn babies are flexible and will take bottle and breast without giving up on one or the other - "IF", and this is a big "IF", you offer one bottle each day sometime between 3-6 weeks. If you wait until after 6 weeks, the chances of getting your baby to take a bottle are slim. If you only give one or 2 bottles during this time, likewise they aren't interested. However, if you provide them at least 1 bottle each day, you will most likely have a flexible, happy baby, who will be content with mommy or a bottle and switch back and forth without issue.

I know, you're worried about nipple confusion. And, this is a good question. To avoid nipple confusion, wait until breastfeeding is well established, by 2-3 weeks and then offer 1, maybe 2 bottles/day. Babies are like Goldi-locks, you can't offer the bottle too early, or too often, it has to be Just Right.

Mercury and Autism

2009-12-14T04:07:00-08:00

A recent study found that Mercury levels are similar in children with and without autism. This is reassuring and brings us closer to finding out what is involved in autism. The blood mercury levels in children with autism or autism spectrum disorders were no different from those found in children without the disorder. "This is an excellent study that has addressed a very important question for many families about the role of mercury [in autism]. It's a very clear study [in] that no differences in mercury were seen," one autism expert said.

Just as a reminder, vaccines in the U.S. can contain mercury.

Breast or Bottle Part II

2009-12-11T04:28:00-08:00

Moms Want Choices and Support

A recent survey from Healthy Women, a not for profit source of credible, unbiased woman's health information found that mothers not only want support for their feeding choices, but they need support.

You can read the entire article here.

Pain Evaluation Checklist: 10 Ways to Help Your Parent Describe Pain

2009-12-10T04:14:00-08:00

Our Featured Guest Writer Today is: Melanie Haiken, Senior Editor at Caring.com

When your parent is in pain, it can be difficult to talk about and describe. "It really hurts" usually isn't enough for the doctor to to figure out what's happening. It doesn't help that pain is subjective and some people feel it more intensely or in different ways than others. To help you communicate more clearly with your parent's doctor -- and be a more effective advocate -- use this checklist to keep a record of your parent's pain:

Where is the pain located? (Have him point to the exact spot if possible).

Can you describe the pain? Is it a sharp stab? A dull ache? Does it feel more like the cramp of a stomachache or more like the throb of a headache?

3. How would you rate the intensity of the pain on a scale of 1 (least) to 10 (most)?

4. What makes the pain feel better?

5. What makes the pain feel worse?

To continue reading through the checklist, click here.

Breast or Bottle

2009-12-09T04:37:30-08:00

Moms Want Support for Their Choices, Whether it's Breast or Bottle.

Check out this informative video from the IFC (International Formula Council) on moms who want support on their feeding choices.

Genetic Link for Autism?

2009-12-07T04:16:00-08:00

Is Autism influenced by genetics? A recent study of 277 twins found that among identical twins, if one developed autism, the other did in 88% of cases, compared with 31% among fraternal twins. Researchers said identical twins also had greater similarities in the type of autism they had and similar levels of daily functioning. The findings confirm the importance of genes in autism development and may point to more specific screening and intervention.

Click here to read the whole article from Reuters.

H1N1 101: What you Need to Know

2009-12-04T03:32:00-08:00

More of what you need to know about H1N1 and the new vaccines to keep your family healthy from Nurse Barbara Dehn. Please click here to view Nurse Barb on television's "View By The Bay".

Sinus Buster

2009-12-03T03:13:00-08:00

“Sinus Buster is the first nasal spray formulated with purified capsaicin extract, derived from the cayenne pepper. Capsaicin is a powerful natural ingredient that has been established as an effective solution for sinus/nasal congestion in over 40 clinical studies.

A new clinical study that was just completed showed that subjects treated with Sinus Buster have first onset of relief in under one minute after use. Additionally, subjects noted a significant decrease in sinus pressure during the first minute. In the first sixty minutes after use, Sinus Buster subjects indicated a significant improvement over the placebo group in their symptoms, including nasal congestion and headache.

Sinus Buster provides instant relief for:

· Sinus/Nasal Congestion

· Sinus Pressure

· Sinus Headache

As an all natural nasal spray, Sinus Buster is formulated without chemicals, additives or preservatives of any kind - no yeast or grains and no steroids. It is non-habit forming and has no known drug interactions. Because it is 100 percent natural, Sinus Buster is safe enough to use whenever it is needed.

Sinus Buster is currently available at Rite Aid, Vitamin World, Walgreens and www.sinusbuster.com.

Posted by: Jonathan Bernstein, M.D., Allergist/Clinical Immunologist and Clinical Investigator

Vitamin D and Your Kids

2009-12-02T04:12:00-08:00

Now that winter is upon us, it's even more important to make sure that children are getting enough Vitamin D. A recent Study found that 1 in 5 U.S. children are deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for so many aspects of our lives. It keeps bones healthy, helps prevent colon cancer, and low levels of vitamin D are associated with depressed moods.

Why is this happening? Well, probably because kids are drinking less milk and more juices and sports drinks. In the winter, the sun is lower in the sky and even if you're outside, it's harder to absorb enough sunlight to make adequate Vitamin D. This is a bigger problem in African-American and Latino children, who need more time in the sun to absorb the UV light to make Vitamin D. So, let's get our kids drinking more milk, which is fortified with Vitamin D and if they can't drink milk, then by all means find a supplement with at least 800 IU of Vitamin D.