“October is SIDS Awareness Month. Many parents may have heard about sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, and want more information about how to reduce the risk. About 3,500 infants died of SIDS or other sleep-related deaths in the US in 2016.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
For infection prevention and process improvement experts weigh-in on the 10 best strategies for prevention of infections. 3 of 10 strategies are 1 Good Hand Hygiene, 2 Good Environmental Hygiene 3 Vaccinations.
Becker’s Hospital Clinical Leadership and Infection Control
“The risk of acquiring a infection is related to the mode of transmission of the infectious agent, the type of infection prevention control, treatment when feeling an infection or common cold coming on and the underlying patient’s host defenses (Ex. white blood cell count to fight off infection, your immunity strength…).”
The department of health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of people develop the common cold each year in the United States alone. On average, adults get two or three colds a year, and children have even more.
Many viruses can cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause and are responsible for more than half of all colds and cold-like illnesses.
Rhinovirus infections typically result in mild cold-like symptoms. However, rhinoviruses can also cause more severe illnesses, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, in people with weakened immune systems.
Common colds are the main reason that children miss school and adults miss work. Each year in the United States, there are millions of cases of the common cold.
Most people get colds in the winter and spring, but it is possible to get a cold any time of the year.
You should call your doctor if you or your child has one or more of these conditions:
You should also call your doctor right away if you are at high risk for serious flu complications and get flu symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle or body aches. People at high risk for flu complications include young children (younger than 5 years old), adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.
Your doctor can determine if you or your child has a cold or the flu and can recommend treatment to help with symptoms.
Many different respiratory viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common. Rhinoviruses can also trigger asthma attacks and have been linked to sinus and ear infections. Other viruses that can cause colds include respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus, human coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus.
Most people recover within about 7-10 days. However, people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or respiratory conditions may develop serious illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
There is no cure for a cold. To feel better, you should get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medicines may help ease symptoms but will not make your cold go away any faster. Always read the label and use medications as directed. Talk to your doctor before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines, since some medicines contain ingredients that are not recommended for children. Learn more about symptom relief of upper respiratory infections, including colds.
Antibiotics will not help you recover from a cold caused by a respiratory virus. They do not work against viruses, and they may make it harder for your body to fight future bacterial infections if you take them unnecessarily.
“Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to new areas of the body, often by way of the lymph system or bloodstream. A metastatic cancer, or metastatic tumor, is one that has spread from the primary site of origin, or where it started, into different areas of the body. The liver, lungs, lymph nodes and bones are common areas of metastasis.”
Cancer Treatments of America
What is metastatic breast cancer?Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer most commonly spreads to the bones, liver, lungs, and brain. It is still called breast cancer, even after it has spread. Metastatic breast cancer is not curable, but it is treatable.
Many patients continue to live well for a number of months or years with metastatic breast cancer.How can I cope with metastatic breast cancer?A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer often comes as a shock. People describe a range of emotions such as fear, anger, or sadness that may change day to day or over time. You may have concerns about how this diagnosis will affect many different aspects of your life, such as your relationships, work or career, family and social roles, and finances. You may be worried about suffering or having your life shortened by this disease. It is important to remember that you are not alone.
Key parts of the coping process involve becoming informed about your specific diagnosis and working with your health care team to find professionals who can support you and your family, offer guidance about your treatment options, and identify services to address the needs of your caregivers. Talk openly with your doctors and health care team to express your feelings, preferences, and concerns. They are there to help, and many team members have special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families.
How is metastatic breast cancer treated?The primary goals of treatment for metastatic breast cancer are to extend or prolong life and to relieve the symptoms caused by the cancer. Treatment aimed at reducing symptoms and improving quality of life is often referred to as palliative or supportive care. It is often given along with treatment to slow or stop the growth of cancer.
Treatment options for women with metastatic breast cancer vary based on several factors, such as whether the tumor is ER-positive, PR-positive, or HER2-positive, where in the body the cancer has spread, the presence of specific symptoms, and previous cancer treatments. For women with ER- and PR-positive cancers, treatment with hormonal therapy is effective and can be used to control breast cancer for an extended period of time.
Other common treatments for metastatic breast cancer include chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapy, and other types of targeted therapy. Because it is not unusual for metastatic breast cancer to become resistant (stop responding) to these drugs, you may need to change treatments fairly often.
Other possible treatments include radiation therapy or bone-modifying drugs to treat bone metastases and surgery to remove a tumor that is causing discomfort. You may receive additional treatment to make sure you are physically comfortable and free from pain. When making treatment decisions, you may also consider a clinical trial. Talk with your doctor often about all treatment options and the goals of each treatment
“This week, we honor and remember the heroic firefighters and first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice to save and protect our citizens, homes, and communities. n 2017, more than 1.3 million fires killed 3,400 people and injured 14,000 more, while causing an estimated $23 billion in direct property loss. Sadly, the number of fire-related deaths continues to rise, even though the number of fires is falling.”
White House (whitehouse.gov)
In a typical home fire, residents may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help them make the most of the time they have, giving everyone enough time to get out.
Plan and Practice your Escape ™Fire Prevention Week / October 6-12, 2019 Not every hero wears a cape.Why is it important to have a family escape plan?
Fire is FAST!In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill your home. Fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only a short time to escape.
Fire is HOT! Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. If you inhale this super-hot air, it will scorch your lungs.
Fire is DARK!Fire starts bright, but quickly makes black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around your home.
Fire is DEADLY!Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.
Having functioning alarms installed throughout your home is the first line of defense for fire prevention. They work around the clock to give your family an early alert in the event of an emergency, allowing you time to safely escape. Smoke and CO alarms should be placed on every level of the home, including the basement, as well as inside and outside each bedroom. Fire alarms should also be placed on every level of the home, especially in the kitchen and garage.
Take this opportunity to discuss fire safety with your family!
“Many germs, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause pneumonia. Understanding the cause of pneumonia is important because pneumonia treatment depends on its cause.”
American Lung Association