July is National Cord Blood Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to learn more about cord blood—a biological product regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Found in the blood vessels of the placenta and the umbilical cord, cord blood is collected after a baby is born and after the umbilical cord is cut—an important point.

“Because cord blood is typically collected after the baby is delivered and the cord is cut, the procedure is generally safe for the mother and baby,” explains Keith Wonnacott, Ph.D., Chief of the Cellular Therapies Branch in FDA’s Office of Cellular, Tissue, and Gene Therapies.

Approved Uses By the Food and Drug Administration states the following:

Cord blood is approved only for use in “hematopoietic stem cell transplantation” procedures, which are done in patients with disorders affecting the hematopoietic (blood forming) system. Cord blood contains blood-forming stem cells that can be used in the treatment of patients with blood cancers such as leukemias and lymphomas, as well as certain disorders of the blood and immune systems, such as sickle cell disease and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

“Cord blood is useful because it is a source of stem cells that form into blood cells. Cord blood can be used for transplantation in people who need regeneration, that is, ‘regrowth,’ of these blood-forming cells,” Wonnacott says.

For instance, in many cancer patients, the disease is found in the blood cells. Chemotherapy treatment of these patients kills both cancer cells and the healthy blood-forming stem cells. Transplanted stem cells from cord blood can help regrow the healthy blood cells after the chemotherapy.

However, cord blood is not a cure-all.

“Because cord blood contains stem cells, there have been stem cell fraud cases related to cord blood,” says Wonnacott. “Consumers may think that stem cells can cure any disease, but science doesn’t show this to be the case. Patients should be skeptical if cord blood is being promoted for uses other than blood stem cell regeneration.”

About Cord Blood Banking

After cord blood is collected, it is frozen and can be safely stored for many years. “The method of freezing, called ‘cryopreservation,’ is very important to maintain the integrity of the cells,” Wonnacott says. “Cord blood needs to be stored carefully.”

You may choose to store your baby’s cord blood in a private bank so it can be available if needed in the future by your child or first- or second-degree relatives. Private cord banks typically charge fees for blood collection and storage.

Or you may donate the cord blood to a public bank so that doctors can use for a patient who needs a hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

FDA regulates cord blood in different ways, depending on the source, level of processing and intended use.

Cord blood stored for personal use, for use in first- or second-degree relatives, and that also meets other criteria in FDA’s regulations, does not require the agency’s approval before use. Private cord banks must still comply with other FDA requirements, including establishment registration and listing, current good tissue practice regulations, and donor screening and testing for infectious diseases (except when cord blood is used for the original donor). These FDA requirements ensure safety of these products by minimizing the risk of contamination and transmission of infectious diseases.

Cord blood stored for use by a patient unrelated to the donor meets the legal definitions of both a “drug” and a “biological product.” Cord blood in this category must meet additional requirements and be licensed under a biologics license application, or be the subject of an investigational new drug application before use. The FDA requirements help to ensure that these products are safe and effective for their intended use.

Not every cord blood unit will meet requirements for public banking, adds Safa Karandish, M.T., an FDA consumer safety officer. If that happens, some of this donated cord blood may be used for non-clinical research.

“With warmer weather finally arriving, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) wants residents to enjoy favorite activities while also avoiding certain illnesses often linked with summer fun.

“If not done safely, many warm weather activities can sometimes cause unpleasant stomach-related symptoms and occasionally serious illness,” says Courtney Tillman, epidemiologist with WDH.

Diseases such as cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis and shigellosis are diarrheal illnesses caused by swallowing water from pools or outdoor sources contaminated with animal or human feces. These illnesses, along with salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and E. coli-related illnesses, can also result from direct contact with animals or their feces during animal-related activities such as brandings or petting zoos.

Matt Peterson, another WDH epidemiologist, said, “Every spring in Wyoming, we begin seeing new cases of salmonellosis linked to backyard poultry.” Most of these cases are children under 5 who have touched or held baby poultry in ranch supply stores or whose family have recently acquired baby poultry. Young children are more likely to get sick with Salmonella because their immune systems are still developing and they are more likely to put their fingers or other items with germs into their mouths.

“Do not let young children touch live poultry (including chicks and ducklings) or touch anything in the area where the birds live and roam,” Peterson cautions. “Backyard poultry can have Salmonella germs in their poop and on their bodies even when they look healthy and clean. The germs spread easily to their cages, coops, hay, plants and soil in the areas they live and roam.”

Tillman added, “You should always wash your hands after coming into contact with animals or their habitats. It’s best to clean hands with running water and soap. If you can’t immediately access running water and soap, use hand sanitizer until you’re able to wash your hands.”

“Water sources and animals may look clean, but can still be contaminated,” Tillman said.

Simple things we can do to help protect ourselves and others include:
• DO stay out of the water if sick with diarrhea.
• DO shower before getting in the water. When chlorine mixes with dirt, sweat, pee and poop, there is less chlorine available to kill germs.
• DO take kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers every hour. Change diapers away from the water to keep germs from getting in.
• DO dry ears thoroughly with a towel after getting out of the water.
• DO boil or use a filter or solution designed to remove germs from streams, rivers and lakes before drinking.
• DO wash hands thoroughly after coming into contact with animals and their habitats, before preparing food and before eating and drinking.

Actions to avoid include:
• DON’T swallow swimming water and avoid getting water in the mouth.
• DON’T poop or pee in swimming water.
• DON’T sit or stand on jets at splash pads. Sitting or standing on jets can rinse poop off butts.
• DON’T let children kiss animals or put objects in their mouths after touching animals.
• DON’T touch wild animals or their carcasses. If concerned about a wild animal or animal carcass, contact your local animal control office.

Wyoming Department of Health (https://health.wyo.gov/dos-and-donts-to-help-avoid-common-summer-illnesses/)

We normally associate illness with winter, mainly because it’s the time of year we tend to get colds and flu.

However, there is no shortage of ailments and conditions that make life unpleasant and spoil our fun during the summer months.

The following are examples of health issues associated with summer:

1. Food poisoning

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Prevention and Control), every year around 3,000 Americans die from foodborne diseases.

Warm weather encourages bacteria to multiply, and who doesn’t enjoy barbeques and picnics during summer? Food that is prepared in advance and allowed to stand in the heat creates the perfect conditions for contamination and food poisoning.

Pre-prepared food should be handled hygienically, stored safely and kept cool if possible. It’s also better to choose foods that don’t spoil as easily or can be freshly prepared at your destination.

NHS Choices explains that most cases of food poisoning can be treated at home and do not require medical advice, and that most people will feel better in a matter of days. It is however important to replace fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea.

If symptoms are severe, you may need to be admitted to hospital for a few days and given intravenous hydration.

2. Heat rash

Heat rash is a red or pink rash usually found on areas of the body that are covered with clothing. It happens during hot humid conditions and is most common in children. Heat rash develops when sweat ducts become blocked and swell up, looking like dots or tiny pimples on the skin. It often causes discomfort and itching.

Heat rash usually heals on its own in a matter of days and doesn’t require medical attention. In some cases the rash gets infected with symptoms like pain, swelling and pus. If this happens, be sure to see your doctor.

3. Water-borne conditions

We all like to spend time in the water during summer, and Dennis Maki, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, warns of the risk of bacterial infections and other water-borne illnesses as a result of taking part in recreational water activities.

Germs that turn up in swimming pool water include bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, Camplobacter, noroviruses, and parasites. While treatment with chlorine can kill germs in swimming pools, it takes time for the chlorine to do its job.

Crypto is the most common cause of diarrhea outbreaks linked with swimming pools or water parks because it can survive up to 10 days in chlorinated water. … Infections can cause watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and can lead to dehydration.  CDC states “Crypto is highly resistant to chlorine, which makes it hard to kill once it’s in the water.  Swallowing just a mouthful of water with crypto in it can make otherwise healthy kids and adults sick for weeks with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps , nausea, and vomiting,” says Michele Hlavsa, chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program.  Every year, at least 15 to 20 outbreaks of diseases, like stomach bugs and diarrhea, are linked to swimming in public pools, according to the CDC.”

“Here are some tips from CDC in helping to protect you and your kids when the temperatures rise and the public pool is the only thing that will cool the heatwave:

• Don’t swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea.
• Check the pool, hot tub, and water playground inspection scores.
• Use test strips to check the water’s pH and chlorine levels. You can get free test kits from the website of the Water Quality & Health Council.
• Try not to swallow the water.
• Take small children on frequent bathroom breaks.
• Shower before getting into a pool.
• Listen for the sound of a working pool pump.
• Change diapers in a diaper-changing area and away from the water.”

Apart from natural bodies of water like rivers and lakes, pools and hot tubs can also be sources of gastrointestinal problems; skin, ear and eye infections; and respiratory, neurological and viral problems. The safest places to swim are pools that are regularly checked for their chlorine levels.

4. Summer colds (summer or winter cold the symptoms are the same).

There is a kind of virus that produces cold-like symptoms, which tends to rear its ugly head during the summer months. It is called enterovirus and can cause more complicated symptoms than the typical winter cold.

Something summery may be lingering even as the season fades—the summer cold.

Colds in summertime can last for weeks, at times seemingly going away and then suddenly storming back with a vengeance, infectious-disease experts say. A winter cold, by contrast, is typically gone in a few days.

The reason for the difference: Summer colds are caused by different viruses from the ones that bring on sniffling and sneezing in the colder months. And some of the things people commonly do in the summer can prolong the illness, like being physically active and going in and out of air-conditioned buildings.

“A winter cold is nasty, brutish and short,” says Bruce Hirsch, infectious-disease specialist at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. “But summer colds tend to linger. They can go on for weeks and reoccur.”

Summer colds, which can hit between June and October, occur only about 25% as often as the winter variety. But summer colds can have more severe, flu-like symptoms, in addition to sneezing and coughing. Many people also mistake a summer cold for allergies, because it just doesn’t seem to leave.

According to Merck Manual, symptoms of a summer cold caused by enterovirus include fever, headache, and sore throat, and sometimes mouth sores or a rash. Treatment is basically aimed at relieving symptoms.

5. Headache

An unfortunate result of summer activities that involve spending a lot of time in the hot sun can be a spitting headache. A survey by the National Headache Foundation indicates that headache sufferers consider summer to be the worst time of year for headaches.

As the temperature goes up, so does your risk for getting a headache. One theory is that the heat makes blood vessels in your head expand, causing them to press against nerve endings. Dehydration and strenuous exercise in hot weather can also lead to headaches.

An over-the-counter painkiller will usually alleviate headaches caused by heat exposure and exercise, and drinking enough water should take care of a dehydration headache.

6. Heat stroke

Heat stroke or hyperthermia results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures. It can happen for example when children are left in hot cars during summer.

Emedicinehealth defines heat stroke as a condition where the body’s cooling mechanisms are overcome by heat, resulting in a core heat of over 40°C. Heat stroke is preceded by signs of heat exhaustion like headaches, dizziness and weakness, and results in unconsciousness, organ failure and eventually death.

Hyperthermia is primarily treated by outside cooling of the body with the help of water, cold air or ice packs. Internal cooling by flushing the stomach or rectum with cold may also be used. Persons with hyperthermia need to be hospitalised in order to be tested for complications like muscle breakdown, which can damage the kidneys.

7. Sunburn

With summer comes the danger of sunburn, which can be extremely serious. Sunburn is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun that damage your skin cells. The risk of damage depends on things like the time of day, the amount of time spent in the sun and if you use sun protection or not.

Sunburn can lead to long-term skin damage and even skin cancer. MedicineNet.com explains that there are three major kinds of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma (most common type)
• Squamous cell carcinoma (second most common)
• Melanoma (less common but considerably more dangerous)

The best and simplest way to avoid sunburn is to stay out of the sun. Other ways to be sun-safe is to stay out of the midday sun, stay in the shade, use a good sunscreen and wear a hat and protective clothing.

“The start of summer is the perfect time to gather with family and friends for good food and fun times. This year, celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence safely. Our July 4th safety tips cover a few key summer safety topics to help keep you and your family safe this Independence Day.

Fireworks cause over 19,000 fires every year. Take the proper precautions when operating fireworks.

• Never disassemble or try to make your own fireworks.
• Don’t point sparklers, or fireworks at yourself or others, especially when lighting them.
• Only light fireworks on the ground and in areas that are dry and fire-resistant.
• Don’t attempt to ignite fireworks at the same time.
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers to prevent firework-related injuries.
• Always keep a portable fire extinguisher close by. Also, keep a water hose or buckets of water nearby to put out fires.
• If fireworks malfunction, don’t relight them! Douse and soak malfunctioning fireworks with water then throw them away.
• Resist the urge to bring your dog to a fireworks display. The safest place for them is at home where it’s familiar, quiet and not crowded.

Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers to prevent firework-related injuries. Sparklers are hot enough to cause severe burns if mishandled.”

ADT (https://www.adt.com/resources/4th-of-july-safety-tips)

This 4th of July there is safety in general whether at home or going out.

Regarding in the water:

As July is one of the hottest months of the year, many families turn to water activities to beat the heat. However, even fun water activities have serious risks if the proper precautions aren’t taken.

• Review safe boating practices.
• Never consume alcohol while driving a boat.
• Before boating, always check that there are enough life preservers on hand for every passenger.
• Set water safety rules for your family, especially if there’s a young child.
• Keep a first aid kit near the pool.
• Pool Security-Many people don’t consider the security of their hot tub or pool, but to keep your guests and family members safe, you need more than just constant supervision. This is why an outdoor home camera system is one great way to ensure that everyone keeps having fun and stays safe but better than that is always an adult taking the safeguard job watching the children.  The parents or responsible adult can take alternate doing this job and without question be able to swim and preferably BCLS certified or someone at the gathering BCLS certified or even a doctor or nurse at the party is helpful.The CDC states that about 10 people per day die from unintentional drowning in the United States. Having cameras specifically for your outdoor pool area can help to provide a much safer space against the common causes of pool accidents. Since you are able to access your cameras from any smart phone, you will always be in the loop. While no amount of home security cameras can compensate for parental supervision when it comes to your young ones going for a swim, it is a great addition to help provide additional security.

July is one of the peak months for grilling fires. Enjoy grilling your favorite meals this summer while also keeping your family safe.

Regarding Grilling, this weekend and everytime you grill for safety always:

• Check gas grill hoses for cracks, holes and leaks.  To do this take soapy water and put it over the connection tube to the tank & if bubbles, Your Leaking.
• Keep children away from grills. Gas leaks, blocked tubes, and propane tanks can be a cause of grill fires and explosions.
• Never grill indoors, in the garage, in any enclosed area or on a surface that might catch fire.  Grill always outdoors.
• Keep the grill at least two feet away from decks, siding, branches and any outdoor equipment that can catch fire quickly.

More than 50,000 fires are caused by fireworks every year but now the news is saying we will have potential for the highest amount of people on the road to get where they want to celebrate the 4th of July this year due to lock up last year; so many will be going out to celebrate but know these tips if going out or even staying home.

Regarding proper precautions when operating fireworks:

• Never disassemble or try to make your own fireworks.

• Don’t point sparklers, or fireworks at yourself or others, especially while they’re being lit.

• Only light fireworks on the ground and in areas that are dry and fire-resistant.

• Don’t attempt to ignite fireworks at the same time.

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers to prevent firework-related injuries.

• Always keep a portable fire extinguisher close by. Also, keep a water hose or buckets of water nearby to put out fires.

• If fireworks malfunction, don’t relight them! Douse and soak malfunctioning fireworks with water then throw them away.

Regarding your Pets:

• Resist the urge to bring your dog to a fireworks display. The safest place for them is at home where it’s familiar, quiet and not crowded.

“The strength of the sun’s UV rays reaching the ground depends on a number of factors, such as:

• Time of day: UV rays are strongest in the middle of the day, between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Season of the year: UV rays are stronger during spring and summer months. This is less of a factor near the equator.
• Distance from the equator (latitude): UV exposure goes down as you get further from the equator.
• Altitude: More UV rays reach the ground at higher elevations.
• Cloud cover: The effect of clouds can vary, but it’s important to know that UV rays can get through to the ground, even on a cloudy day.
• Reflection off surfaces: UV rays can bounce off surfaces like water, sand, snow, or pavement, leading to an increase in UV exposure.”

American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/uv-protection.html)

The Sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the Solar System (Jupiter contains most of the rest).

It is often said that the Sun is an “ordinary” star. That’s true in the sense that there are many others similar to it. But there are many more smaller stars than larger ones; the Sun is in the top 10% by mass. The median size of stars in our galaxy is probably less than half the mass of the Sun. A process called fusion heats the Sun. Fusion happens in the core of the Sun. It is very hot there. In fact, the core’s average temperature is around 27,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The surface of the Sun is cool compared with the core, only 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

This fusion process not only heats the Sun, it makes the sunlight we see here on Earth. This sunlight travels the speed of light which is 186,282 miles per second or 299,792,458 meters per second. This means the light from the Sun takes 8.4 minutes to travel 93 million miles to Earth. If the world’s fastest land animal were to travel that same distance, it would take a cheetah over 151 years to reach the Earth running about 70 mph nonstop!

Ultraviolet radiation: Invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation can burn the skin and cause skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation is made up of three types of rays — ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, and ultraviolet C. Although ultraviolet C is the most dangerous type of ultraviolet light in terms of its potential to harm life on earth, it cannot penetrate earth’s protective ozone layer. Therefore, it poses no threat to human, animal or plant life on earth.

Ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B, on the other hand, do penetrate the ozone layer in attenuated form and reach the surface of the planet. Because ultraviolet A is weaker than ultraviolet B, scientists long blamed ultraviolet B as the sole culprit in causing skin cancer in persons with a history of sunburn and repeated overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. Recent research, however, has also implicated ultraviolet A as a possible cause of skin cancer.

Photosensitivity refers to various symptoms, diseases and conditions caused or aggravated by exposure to sunlight.

• A rash due to photosensitivity is a photodermatosis (plural photodermatoses).
• If the rash is eczematous, it is a photodermatitis.
• A chemical or drug that causes photosensitivity is a photosensitiser.
• A phototoxic reaction to a photosensitiser results in an exaggerated sunburn reaction and no immune reaction is involved.
• A photoallergic reaction to a photosensitiser results in photodermatitis and is due to delayed hypersensitivity reaction.
• A photoexacerbated condition describes a flare of an underlying skin disease on exposure to sunlight.

Photosensitivity is characterized into many groups:

• Polymorphic light eruption (PLE):

PLE generally affects adult females aged 20–40, although it sometimes affects children and males (25%). It is particularly common in places where sun exposure is uncommon, such as Northern Europe, where it is said to affect 10–20% of women holidaying in the Mediterranean area. It is less common in Australasia. It has also been reported to be relatively common at higher altitudes compared to sea level.

PLE can occur in all races and skin phototypes and may be more prevalent in skin of colour than in white skin. There is a genetic tendency to PLE, and it is sometimes associated with or confused with photosensitivity due to lupus erythematosus (which generally is more persistent than PLE).

Some patients experience PLE during phototherapy, which is used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and dermatitis.

There are three types of UV rays:

Ultraviolet A (UVA): UVA rays penetrate deep into the layers of the skin and lead to premature signs of aging, which include fine lines and wrinkles. It is important to note that the amount of UVA stays relatively consistent throughout the year, and exceeds the amount of UVB in both summer and winter. Even on a cloudy day, 80% of the sun’s UVA rays pass through the clouds and reach our skin and eyes. It’s also important to know that tanning beds work by emitting primarily UVA rays.

Ultraviolet B (UVB): UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, thickening of the skin, and several types of skin cancers – including melanoma. UVB rays penetrate the outermost layer of skin and cause damage to skin cells. UVB also can cause damage to eyes and the immune system.

Ultraviolet C (UVC): UVC is the strongest of the UV spectrum radiation. Fortunately, UVC rays do not reach the earth’s surface because it is blocked by the ozone layer of the atmosphere. The only way we can be exposed to UVC radiation is from an artifical source, such as a lamp or laser. UVC rays can cause severe skin burns and eye injuries even when exposed for only a few seconds. Since the penetration depth of UVC rays is very low, these injuries usually resolve within a week with virtually no risk of long-term health risks (skin cancer, cateracts, vision loss).

Causes:

Genetic factors may be important with many affected individuals reporting a family history of PLE. Native Americans have a hereditary form of PLE (actinic prurigo).

PLE is caused by a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to a compound in the skin that is altered by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). UVR leads to impaired T cell function and altered production of cytokines in affected individuals. There is a reduction in the normal UV-induced immune suppression in the skin. This has been suggested to be either due to oestrogen or deficiency of vitamin D.

The rash is usually provoked by UVA (in 90%). This means the rash can occur when the sunlight is coming through window glass, and that standard sunscreens may not prevent it. Occasionally, UVB and/or visible light provoke PLE.

PLE may be a rare occurrence in the individual concerned or may occur every time the skin is exposed to sunlight. In most affected individuals, it occurs each spring, provoked by several hours outside on a sunny day. If further sun exposure is avoided, the rash settles in a few days and is gone without a trace within a couple of weeks. It can recur next time the sun shines on the skin. However, if the affected area is exposed to more sun before it has cleared up, the condition tends to get more severe and extensive with longer to heal.

Stay tune tomorrow for part II on Ultralight rays from the Sun to Sunburn and Types of photosensitivity for some!