With the recent outbreak of the Measles in Indiana you have to ask yourself - am I immune?
The Indiana State Department of Health has established a hotline to help answer questions from the general public.
Top 5 Hotline Questions Answered:
1. Why am I considered immune if I was born prior to 1957? What if I don’t remember having the measles or the vaccine?
Answer: Prior to the advent of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1963, measles was endemic in the U.S. Many children got measles during that time and developed antibodies to prevent reoccurrence of disease. It was considered one of the “childhood diseases” that most kids got. Your health care provider may be able to check your immunization status through the Indiana Immunization Registry, CHIRP, or can test you for immunity.
2. What if I don’t know my immune status?
Answer: If you are unsure, you can ask your local health department or health care provider to check your vaccination record. Two doses of MMR are needed to be fully protected.
3. What kind of protection do I get from the vaccine?
Answer: the MMR vaccine is very good at protecting you from measles. Most people will develop antibodies (immunity) with the first dose, but the second dose is needed to boost that immunity and will fully protect 99% of individuals who receive it.
4. What about my child that is less than 1 year of age? Can I take them out in public since they are too young for vaccine?
Answer: Yes. You and your family may continue with normal activities. The State Health Department and local health officials are working with the known cases and then reaching out to those who may have been exposed to make sure they are protected. You can also speak with your pediatrician or health care provider
5. If my child receives a vaccination before 12 months of age (common age for first MMR vaccination), does that count as a valid dose or will he/she still need two doses?
Answer: Children as young as 6 months can receive an MMR vaccine in the event of an outbreak, however vaccinations given prior to 12 months of age will not “count” for school entry purposes in Indiana. Please consult with your pediatrician or health care provider.
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Each quarter there are two employees who are chosen to receive the coveted “Cheetah of the Quarter” award. These employees will have shown exemplary service throughout the preceding quarter. We wanted to take just a moment to share with you our “Cheetahs” for the 4th quarter of 2011.
Congrats!!!
Katie Brockway is representing the Benefits Team with her cheetah "Purdy Brown".
Dori Burton is representing the P & C team with her cheetah "Harley".
a. Below 120/80 (0)
b. Between 120/80 and 140/90 (+1)
c. Above 140/90 (+3) d. Don't know (+1)
2. What's your cholesterol?
a. HDL ("good cholesterol) above 50, LDL ("bad" cholesterol) below 130, triglycerides (fat levels in the blood) less that 150 (0)
b. Any of the following: HDL below 50, LDL above 130, triglycerides above 150 (+2)
c. Don't know (+1)
3. How often do you eat fried foods?
a. Once a month (+1)
b. Several times a month (+2)
c. Never (0)
4. Does anyone in your family have heart disease?
a. Yes, my mother had problems before age 65, or my father before age 55 (+2)
b. No (0)
5. On a typical weekend night, you:
a. Have one glass of wine or beer (+1)
b. Have more than one glass of alcohol (+2)
c. Skip the alcohol (0)
6. How many cigarettes have you smoked this week?
a. None (0)
b. Just a few (+3)
c. Half a pack or more each day (+8)
7. How many colors were in your last meal?
a. 1 – for example, chicken and rice (+2)
b. 2 to 4 – some vegetables (+1)
c. 4 or more – for example, a salad and some vegetables (0)
8. How do you feel after climbing three flights of stairs?
a. Fine or even energized (0)
b. Winded (+1)
c. Who knows? I never climb stairs (+2)
9. What's your body mass index (BMI)?
a. 18.5 to 24.9 (0)
b. 25 to 29.9 (+1)
c. 30 or above (+2)(to find out your BMI, visit www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi)
Results:
0-2: You are on the right track to preventing heart disease. Exercise, eating right, and avoiding cigarettes can help prevent 80 percent of heart disease.
3-7: One or two harmful habits can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Simply knowing your risk factors is also important to reducing your risk, especially if you need to reduce your cholesterol or blood pressure.
8 or higher: Get to the doctor! Make the commitment to one healthy behavior change, such as quitting smoking or exercising.
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One of the most dangerous winter driving hazards is skidding, which at high speeds, could result in a nasty crash. To prevent an unnecessary skid, slip or accident, consider the following accident prevention techniques.
· Slow down ahead of turns and curves, as this will allow you to prepare for potential icy spots.
o When at a curve, apply power slightly to the gas and steer steadily. Do not change directions abruptly and refrain from braking suddenly.
· Plan ahead for lane changes.
o Check your rearview mirror and blind spot, and then signal your direction to alert other motorists.o When changing lanes, move over in a long, gradual line with minimal steering changes.
· Look out for ice patches, piles of wet leaves and shady areas. These areas are skidding hazards.
· Anticipate stops by slowing down gradually, well ahead of intersections. These areas are generally slicker than other parts of the road because of the excess starting and stopping traffic.
· Drive at reduced speeds.
o Slow your speed and increase your following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. This will allow for a larger buffer in case you start to lose control.
· Avoid overpowering in deep snow.
o Use a light foot on the accelerator (rather than slamming on the gas to move forward).
If You Start to Skid…If your car starts to skid, do not panic. Steer in the direction that the vehicle is sliding until you feel the wheels regain traction. Then, slowly straighten your wheels and keep rolling.If you need to brake before your tires regain traction, apply the brake carefully so that you do not lock your wheels.
While some anxiously anticipate holiday parties, cookie exchanges and wrapping gifts; others dread the holiday season. In fact, the obligations and stresses that accompany this time of year can take their toll on even the merriest of individuals.
Holiday-related stress and depression can cause headaches, excessive alcohol consumption, overeating and insomnia. To combat these side effects, it is best to identify the cause of your stress and then take the necessary steps to rectify them. Consider the following suggestions as well:
§ Do not feel as though you MUST meet all family obligations.
§ Ask others for assistance in hosting gatherings, purchasing presents, etc.
§ Make a list of priorities that you must accomplish and put them in chronological order so you do not become too overwhelmed.
§ Do not compare today’s moments with yesterday’s memories.
§ Consider volunteering to help others, especially if you are feeling lonely.
§ Stay active and continue to exercise and eat healthy. Remember to make time for yourself as well.
§ Do not overspend. Keep tabs on your holiday budget and stick to it.
For many employees, the annual holiday work party is one more special event to work into a hectic holiday calendar. However, these gatherings should be festive events, not another dreaded obligation causing stress.
Points to Consider
When preparing for your holiday work party, remember the following:
· The party is part of your job; its purpose is to bring together co-workers and colleagues for camaraderie and well-deserved recognition. Consider it work, put on your best attitude, and go.
· The event requires advance preparation. Knowing who will be there and having an idea what to talk about is critical to a successful experience.· Stay at the party long enough to speak to everyone there. With a large crowd, interact with as many people as possible, especially key people such as your boss. Remain at the event for at least an hour, but leave before the party time has elapsed.
· Keep your guard up when deciding how to dress. If the party is being held immediately after work, business attire is appropriate. If later in the evening or during the weekend, your choices will vary depending on the event. What you wear should reflect well on you professionally.
· Check your invitation to see if your partner or children are invited. Only take children if the invitation reads “and family”, and your partner/spouse if the invitation reads “and guest”. Otherwise plan on attending alone.
· Take cues from others when choosing topics of conversation. Plan ahead with some good open-ended questions, and be a good listener.
· Always drink in moderation. This is an opportunity to build business relationships and to network within your company.
· Unless asked to bring something to exchange with co-workers, only bring a gift for your host. Gift baskets with jams, jellies or gourmet food items that can be stored and served later are some good choices.·
Some basic steps can make your home safe for trick-or-treaters, so you can avoid Halloween disasters altogether:
Drive slowly in residential areas and honk your horns on dimly lit streets to alert children who may not be paying close attention to vehicular traffic. And watch out for youngsters crossing against the light, darting out from between parked cars and walking in the street.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot each year. Still, many people refrain because they wrongly believe one or more of the following myths.
Myth: The flu isn’t so bad.Fact: The flu can lead to serious illness, including hospitalization for pneumonia or other complications – even for healthy people. Plus, even without complications, a normal bout of the flu can keep a person out of work or school for several days.
Myth: The flu vaccine will make you sick.Fact: The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu, although you may get side effects like a sore arm, low fever or achiness. Side effects are mild and short-lived, and definitely better than getting the flu.
Myth: Healthy people don’t need a vaccine.Fact: Anyone can become sick with the flu and experience serious complications, even people who are active and healthy. Plus, if you get the flu, you may be endangering those around you who are at a higher risk for complications.
Myth: You can still get the flu after getting the vaccine.Fact: This one is partially true. There are a few reasons you might feel flu-like symptoms even if you’ve gotten the vaccine this year:
· You may have been exposed to a non-flu virus, such as the common cold.
· You may have been exposed to the flu after you got vaccinated but before the vaccine took effect. It takes about two weeks after you receive the vaccine for your body to build protection against the flu.
· You may have been exposed to a flu virus that was very different from the viruses included in this year’s vaccine. The flu vaccine protects against the three influenza viruses that are expected to be most prevalent each season, but there can be other flu viruses circulating as well.
Myth: It’s too late in the season to get protection from a flu vaccine.Fact: As long as the flu season isn’t over, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Flu seasons can begin early in fall and last late into the spring, so getting a vaccine can still be beneficial into the spring months.
Myth: You only need to get vaccinated if family and friends get sick from the flu.Fact: If you wait until people around you get sick, it will probably be too late to protect yourself, because it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection.
Myth: The discomfort of getting a shot isn’t worth it.Fact: Even for someone who hates shots, the very minor pain of a flu shot is nothing compared to the suffering that can be caused by the flu. Plus, many people can get the nasal-spray flu vaccine instead of getting a shot. Talk to your doctor about which is the best choice for you.
Myth: If you got the vaccine last year, you don’t need to get another one.Fact: Research suggests that your body’s immunity from the flu vaccine declines throughout the year, so you likely don’t have enough immunity left to be protected from getting sick this season. That’s why the CDC recommends a flu vaccine each year.
Myth: The vaccine isn’t safe.Fact: Flu vaccines have been given for more than 50 years and have a very good safety track record. Flu vaccines are made the same way each year and their safety is closely monitored by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration.
A successful road trip, whether for business or pleasure, plans safety into every mile. AAA offers these suggestions for an accident-free trip:
Before you go: Arrange for a car inspection, plan your route ahead of time and use traveler’s checks.
On the road: Practice caution, safeguard your belongings, be a courteous driver and do not stop for accidents or breakdowns (unless they are your own, of course)
In a breakdown: Activate your hazard lights, warn oncoming traffic, lock the doors and close the windows and do not accept rides from strangers.
Happy Travels!
“The great difference between voyages rests not with the ships, but with the people you meet on them.” Amelia E. Barr American Writer
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to be aware of prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. One in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test can help detect prostate cancer in its early stages. Though it does not show whether or not you have prostate cancer, it shows abnormalities that would prompt further testing, where cancer may be identified.The survival rate when prostate cancer is detected early is nearly 100 percent, and the PSA test can help with early detection. However, the PSA test may not be the best option for everyone. Men over the age of 40 should discuss with their doctors whether screening is right for them.
Some men assume that only older men get prostate cancer, but this is false. It is extremely uncommon for men under 40 to get prostate cancer, but for ages 40-59, the risk jumps to 1 in 38 men.
Some also assume that no symptoms mean no cancer. However, prostate cancer is often symptom-free, so screening can be the only way to detect it.
Though all men have some risk of getting prostate cancer, the following things can increase your risk:
· Age: Though men over 40 all have risk, the older you get, the greater your risk.
· Race: African-Americans are the most likely to develop this cancer, while Asian men have the lowest risk.
· Family History: If your father or brother has prostate cancer, you are twice as likely to develop it.
In addition to getting tested, research suggests that exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower your risk. Talk to your doctor today about getting tested for prostate cancer, and other ways you can take charge of your health.
