/PRNewswire/ -- As summer sets in, nearly six million campers will attend summer camps in the U.S.(1) And while summer is typically not know as cold or flu season, illnesses and injuries - some very serious - occur every year at hundreds of camps.
Flu viruses and infectious diseases spread quickly through camps due to the close contact of campers, soiled skin and surfaces and sharing of towels or clothes. Infectious diseases cause 20 percent of all illnesses among campers and staff members.(2) Additionally, sports camps have the added feature of common sports injuries that then make campers susceptible - through open wounds - to infection.
To help prepare for camp, parents should understand how to help prevent these illnesses and talk to their children.
"Talking about how to stay safe from infection and illness is a very important part of preparing for camp," said Grant Doornbos, M.D. in Louisville, Ky. and former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athlete. "Especially those going to sports camps, if you have to show them what some infections look like in pictures, while sometimes scary, it can help them understand what to look for on their skin or their teammates' skin."
Ten prevention tips parents should share with their campers:
1. Throughout the day, wash hands with antimicrobial antiseptic soap or
alcohol sanitizers, if a sink is not available.
2. Wash hands and forearms above the elbow immediately before sports using
an antimicrobial wash or wipe that contains chlorhexidine gluconate
(CHG), such as Hibiclens soap or Hibistat® wipes. This protects the
skin from bacteria for up to 6 hours during skin-to-skin contact
sports.
3. Shower as soon as possible after sports activity in hot water with an
antimicrobial cleaner with four percent CHG, which kills germs
(including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], a type
of staph infection that is resistant to many common antibiotics(2)) on
contact and for up to six hours after washing.
4. Clean sports equipment after use and ensure it dries completely after
cleaning. Use antimicrobial wipes or sprays on equipment that cannot
be washed. Make sure the contact time is observed from the label
instructions to insure disinfection.
5. Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages. Have them checked by a
doctor if they are red or won't heal or if flu like symptoms develop
(fever).
6. Put dirty clothes and towels in a separate bag, not in backpacks or
sports bags with clean clothing.
7. Wash and dry clothes and towels on the hottest setting possible. Make
sure all fabrics are completely dry before removing from the dryer.
8. Do not share any personal hygiene items, towels or clothing with
others.
9. Know the signs and symptoms of common skin-to-skin contact illnesses
including impetigo, ringworm and MRSA.
10. Tell a coach or camp counselor about a rash, bite or painful sore
immediately.
"I wish there had been sprays, wipes and soaps that killed these potentially dangerous bugs when I went to wrestling camp," said Dr. Doornbos. "I had to experience too many of these infections myself before I knew how to prevent them. Now, I don't go anywhere, especially the gym, without Hibistat wipes. We still see too many cases of athletes with bad infections that could have been prevented."
Free educational materials are available at http://www.hibiclens.com/parents.html to help parents, coaches and campers. Hibiclens® and Hibistat® are available at drug stores including CVS, Rite Aid and Stop & Shop in the first aid section. Hibiclens is available at Walgreens, Walmart and Target in first aid as well.
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Showing posts with label prevention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prevention. Show all posts
Monday, June 7, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Should Any Vaccines Be Required for Children? Pros and Cons and Current Research at New ProCon.org Website
/PRNewswire/ -- ProCon.org, a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity dedicated to promoting critical thinking, created the new website http://vaccines.procon.org/ to explore the core question "Should any vaccines be required for children?"
Although no federal vaccination laws exist, all 50 states require certain vaccinations for children entering public schools. Depending on the state, children must be vaccinated against some or all of the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and polio. All 50 states also issue medical exemptions to vaccinations; 48 states (excluding Mississippi and West Virginia) permit religious exemptions, and 20 states allow an exemption for philosophical reasons. As of 2009, the national average vaccination rate for required school entry vaccines was 95.41%.
Proponents of vaccination argue it is one of the greatest public health developments of the 20th century. They point out that diseases like rubella (German measles), diphtheria, and whooping cough once killed tens of thousands of infants every year in the U.S. and are now avoided by vaccination. They argue that, although vaccination is not without risks (including rare but serious side effects such as seizures, paralysis, and death), the public health benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
Opponents of vaccination argue that children's immune systems can deal with most infections and that natural immunity should be allowed to develop. They argue that possible severe side effects from vaccination are a risk that children should not be subjected to when, in most cases, diseases that children are vaccinated against are not usually life threatening. They also argue that vaccines can cause adverse reactions including allergies, auto-immune disorders, autism, ADHD, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
As of 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Physicians recommend that children be vaccinated against fifteen different common childhood illnesses. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the National Vaccine Information Center, and Generation Rescue say parents should not be required to vaccinate their children.
The latest ProCon.org website explores many pro and con arguments and includes sources, images, videos, reader comments, and a section of little known facts called "Did You Know?" The findings should help readers think critically, educate themselves, and make informed decisions about childhood vaccination.
Did You Know?
-- According to a 2003 report by researchers at the Pediatric Academic
Society, childhood vaccinations in the U.S. prevent about 10.5 million
cases of infectious illness and 33,000 deaths per year.
-- About 30,000 cases of adverse reactions to vaccines have been reported
annually to the federal government since 1990, with 13% classified as
serious, meaning associated with permanent disability,
hospitalization, life-threatening illness, or death.
-- Over 5,500 cases alleging a causal relationship between vaccinations
and autism have been filed under the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims between 2001
and 2009.
Learn more at http://vaccines.procon.org/.
About Us
ProCon.org (online at www.procon.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity whose mission is promoting critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship.
Information is presented on 31 different ProCon.org issue websites in subjects ranging from health care and medical marijuana to the death penalty and illegal immigration.
ProCon.org websites are free of charge, require no registration, and contain no advertising. The websites have been referenced by over 175 media entities and used in over 932 schools in all 50 U.S. states and 25 countries.
-----
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Although no federal vaccination laws exist, all 50 states require certain vaccinations for children entering public schools. Depending on the state, children must be vaccinated against some or all of the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and polio. All 50 states also issue medical exemptions to vaccinations; 48 states (excluding Mississippi and West Virginia) permit religious exemptions, and 20 states allow an exemption for philosophical reasons. As of 2009, the national average vaccination rate for required school entry vaccines was 95.41%.
Proponents of vaccination argue it is one of the greatest public health developments of the 20th century. They point out that diseases like rubella (German measles), diphtheria, and whooping cough once killed tens of thousands of infants every year in the U.S. and are now avoided by vaccination. They argue that, although vaccination is not without risks (including rare but serious side effects such as seizures, paralysis, and death), the public health benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
Opponents of vaccination argue that children's immune systems can deal with most infections and that natural immunity should be allowed to develop. They argue that possible severe side effects from vaccination are a risk that children should not be subjected to when, in most cases, diseases that children are vaccinated against are not usually life threatening. They also argue that vaccines can cause adverse reactions including allergies, auto-immune disorders, autism, ADHD, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
As of 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Physicians recommend that children be vaccinated against fifteen different common childhood illnesses. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the National Vaccine Information Center, and Generation Rescue say parents should not be required to vaccinate their children.
The latest ProCon.org website explores many pro and con arguments and includes sources, images, videos, reader comments, and a section of little known facts called "Did You Know?" The findings should help readers think critically, educate themselves, and make informed decisions about childhood vaccination.
Did You Know?
-- According to a 2003 report by researchers at the Pediatric Academic
Society, childhood vaccinations in the U.S. prevent about 10.5 million
cases of infectious illness and 33,000 deaths per year.
-- About 30,000 cases of adverse reactions to vaccines have been reported
annually to the federal government since 1990, with 13% classified as
serious, meaning associated with permanent disability,
hospitalization, life-threatening illness, or death.
-- Over 5,500 cases alleging a causal relationship between vaccinations
and autism have been filed under the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims between 2001
and 2009.
Learn more at http://vaccines.procon.org/.
About Us
ProCon.org (online at www.procon.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity whose mission is promoting critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship.
Information is presented on 31 different ProCon.org issue websites in subjects ranging from health care and medical marijuana to the death penalty and illegal immigration.
ProCon.org websites are free of charge, require no registration, and contain no advertising. The websites have been referenced by over 175 media entities and used in over 932 schools in all 50 U.S. states and 25 countries.
-----
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Monday, September 28, 2009
Fourth Annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week Is Oct. 4 - 10, 2009
/PRNewswire/ -- As part of PACER Center's fourth annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, Oct. 4-10, 2009, children, teens, adults, schools, and communities across the country are encouraged to partner with PACER to prevent bullying. The movement is being given a boost with the launch of PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org -- a relevant, edgy Web site created by and for teens. In addition to videos, stories, blogs, and social networking, the site features a toolbox of things teens and schools can do to address bullying -- from creating their own videos to performing role plays for younger students.
Every day, more than 160,000 children nationwide stay home from school to avoid bullying. Up to one-third of the nation's students are bullied during the academic year, and more than 60 percent witness bullying daily. The results of bullying can be devastating -- or even tragic.
"It's time to take action," said Paula Goldberg, PACER's executive director. "Teachers, parents, students, and adults throughout each community must work together to create a climate that doesn't accept bullying."
In addition to visiting PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org for teens and PACERKidsAgainstBullying.org for elementary school children, people can help prevent bullying in several ways. Free activities to help reduce bullying in schools, recreational programs, and community groups, and materials such as contests, classroom toolkits, and more are available at PACER.org. Organizations and schools can partner with PACER by sending an e-mail to bullying411@PACER.org with the name of their school or organization, their Web site URL, and a note about what their school is doing to support bullying prevention. Partners are listed on PACER's bullying prevention Web sites.
The week is sponsored by PACER's National Center for Bullying Prevention, which is for all children, including those with disabilities. It promotes national bullying awareness and teaches effective ways to respond to bullying. National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week is cosponsored by the American Federation for Teachers, National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education, National Education Association, and School Social Work Association of America.
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Every day, more than 160,000 children nationwide stay home from school to avoid bullying. Up to one-third of the nation's students are bullied during the academic year, and more than 60 percent witness bullying daily. The results of bullying can be devastating -- or even tragic.
"It's time to take action," said Paula Goldberg, PACER's executive director. "Teachers, parents, students, and adults throughout each community must work together to create a climate that doesn't accept bullying."
In addition to visiting PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org for teens and PACERKidsAgainstBullying.org for elementary school children, people can help prevent bullying in several ways. Free activities to help reduce bullying in schools, recreational programs, and community groups, and materials such as contests, classroom toolkits, and more are available at PACER.org. Organizations and schools can partner with PACER by sending an e-mail to bullying411@PACER.org with the name of their school or organization, their Web site URL, and a note about what their school is doing to support bullying prevention. Partners are listed on PACER's bullying prevention Web sites.
The week is sponsored by PACER's National Center for Bullying Prevention, which is for all children, including those with disabilities. It promotes national bullying awareness and teaches effective ways to respond to bullying. National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week is cosponsored by the American Federation for Teachers, National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education, National Education Association, and School Social Work Association of America.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The CDC and Lysol Partner to Educate Kids About How to Help Protect Themselves From Harmful Germs
/PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)(1) and LYSOL brand products are proud to announce the launch of the Ounce of Prevention Kids web site www.oopkids.com, an interactive site featuring educational activities designed to promote good health and hygiene. The web site was created in a continued effort to educate children and their parents about everyday and seasonal health and safety issues. The site is adapted from a children's Activity Book created in partnership with the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), and includes health information provided by the CDC that supplements the Ounce of Prevention campaign.
A recent survey revealed that a majority of parents (72 percent) feel they have minimal to no control over protecting their kids from germs at school.(2) With health officials warning that the number of H1N1 flu cases is certain to worsen when influenza-friendly fall temperatures arrive, parents are concerned, more so than ever, about the germs their children will encounter at school. Now, parents have a kid-friendly and entertaining resource to help teach their children healthy hygiene habits to practice at home and in school that will help prevent the spread of illness-causing germs.
"It's unrealistic for parents to think they can control all of the germs their children will encounter at school," says pediatrician Dr. Laura Jana, mother of three school-aged children and owner of an educational child care center. "However, they can teach their children about the importance of personal hygiene, at a young age, to help prevent illness. Turn necessary routines into entertaining games to get your children excited about what would otherwise be mundane chores."
The Ounce of Prevention Kids web site www.oopkids.com, is designed for children ages six to nine, and features a range of activities, for kids to play on their own or with a parent, that focus on personal hygiene, nutrition, exercise and safety. Children can follow guides R.B. and Scrubs, animated characters, around the site to learn about the importance of hand washing, computer safety, healthy food choices and more. Activities can be played online or printed for later use.
Kid-friendly health and hygiene tips include:
-- Wash your hands often to keep them germ-free
-- Cough and sneeze into a tissue to prevent spreading germs to others
-- Eat healthy to keep your energy high and immune system strong
-- Keep your smile bright and mouth healthy by brushing twice a day
-- Stay safe in the kitchen to prevent injury or illness
-- Have fun to stay healthy and happy
"We are pleased to bring parents and health educators alike this high-quality, educational health and hygiene program. The content has been reviewed by experts who specialize in the care of children and recommend it as a valuable resource for childhood development," said Tom Bach, Professional Relations Manager of Germ Protection at Reckitt Benckiser, makers of Lysol.
Additionally, there are helpful tips for parents about proper food handling and surface disinfection with links to partner web sites, including CDC's Ounce of Prevention campaign home page www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention and LYSOL's Germ Information Center www.lysol.com/germ-information-center/.
More helpful information and interactive activities will be added throughout the year.
-----
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A recent survey revealed that a majority of parents (72 percent) feel they have minimal to no control over protecting their kids from germs at school.(2) With health officials warning that the number of H1N1 flu cases is certain to worsen when influenza-friendly fall temperatures arrive, parents are concerned, more so than ever, about the germs their children will encounter at school. Now, parents have a kid-friendly and entertaining resource to help teach their children healthy hygiene habits to practice at home and in school that will help prevent the spread of illness-causing germs.
"It's unrealistic for parents to think they can control all of the germs their children will encounter at school," says pediatrician Dr. Laura Jana, mother of three school-aged children and owner of an educational child care center. "However, they can teach their children about the importance of personal hygiene, at a young age, to help prevent illness. Turn necessary routines into entertaining games to get your children excited about what would otherwise be mundane chores."
The Ounce of Prevention Kids web site www.oopkids.com, is designed for children ages six to nine, and features a range of activities, for kids to play on their own or with a parent, that focus on personal hygiene, nutrition, exercise and safety. Children can follow guides R.B. and Scrubs, animated characters, around the site to learn about the importance of hand washing, computer safety, healthy food choices and more. Activities can be played online or printed for later use.
Kid-friendly health and hygiene tips include:
-- Wash your hands often to keep them germ-free
-- Cough and sneeze into a tissue to prevent spreading germs to others
-- Eat healthy to keep your energy high and immune system strong
-- Keep your smile bright and mouth healthy by brushing twice a day
-- Stay safe in the kitchen to prevent injury or illness
-- Have fun to stay healthy and happy
"We are pleased to bring parents and health educators alike this high-quality, educational health and hygiene program. The content has been reviewed by experts who specialize in the care of children and recommend it as a valuable resource for childhood development," said Tom Bach, Professional Relations Manager of Germ Protection at Reckitt Benckiser, makers of Lysol.
Additionally, there are helpful tips for parents about proper food handling and surface disinfection with links to partner web sites, including CDC's Ounce of Prevention campaign home page www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention and LYSOL's Germ Information Center www.lysol.com/germ-information-center/.
More helpful information and interactive activities will be added throughout the year.
-----
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Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
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