Vegetarian School Lunch

I just had to post this one. I grew up vegetarian. I now eat chicken and fish, but I don't think I have ever had red meat. So, this story was particularly interesting to me. I brought cold lunch every day to school. Had I gone to this school, life would have been much easier! Hah!

From CNN: For many, the words "school lunch" summon images of greasy pizzas or "Mystery Meat Monday." Well, one school district is trying to change that. And they're having surprising success serving up vegetarian options.

Tofu dogs, black bean burger, soy chicken patties.. not a typical diet for more teens, but at a Berkmar Middle School in Lilburn Georgia the kids don't seem to care.

"I like the veggie chicken nuggets and the corn dogs here. I eat the grilled cheese sandwiches, and apples. Sometimes I eat the veggie burger," said one student.

Berkmar is just one of Gwinnett County's 110 schools that offer vegetarian options in the lunchline, and the kids are voting vegetarian at a surprise rate. "It's estimated 3% of teens are eating vegetarian, which is around 5,000 students for us," said the school administrator.

Some of the kids eat vegetarian for religious reasons, but many 10-12 year olds say they choose it for health reasons. "We went to the doctor and I was 10 pounds overweight. The doctor said that when I grow up I could die faster, my mom didn't like that so she started making more healthy food, and it made me lose those 10 pounds. I wanna stay healthier and have a healthy life," said one girl.

All in all, Gwinnett County schools have served close to 500 thousand vegetarian meals in the last year alone, and Karen Crawford hopes the habits they learn now will stay with them for a lifetime. "We know that nutrition profoundly affects how kids.. their ability to learn and grow and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and its important to teach them these lessons when they're young like this," said a nutritionist.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Fans prevent SIDS

Yes, I am talking about a fan you plug into the wall that blows air into a room. That small step could prevent your baby from dying from SIDS. It won't prevent all SIDS cases, but it's an easy step you can take that might help. One of my colleagues, Anchor Teresa Snow from Jefferson City, Missouri, sent me this story she wrote:

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is not an illness, but a a medical diagnosis made only when a child under a year old dies and there is no other medical explanation to explain why. There are no warning signs, which makes the death of 25-hundred infants in the U-S every year even more tragic.

Alan and Kim Atnip of Linn, MO lost their 9 week old son Garrett to SIDS almost four years ago. "I miss my son everyday," says Alan, noting Garrett would have turned four later this month. As they did with Garrett, the Atnip's follow a strict routine when putting their 15 week old infant Michael to sleep. "I always put him to sleep on his back," says Kim. "I don't have the room too warm."

Experts say those moves are critical. They also advise parents to keep stuffed animals and extra blankets out of the crib, to give an infant a pacifier, not to smoke while pregnant nor around a baby. And a recent report makes another recommendation.

Doctors at Kaiser Permanente say using a fan to keep a room well ventilated is one more way to prevent rebreathing. That's when a baby breathes the carbon dioxide it exhaled -- which is believed to be the main cause of sudden infant death syndrome. "We found that if a fan was used in an infants sleeping room, the infant's SIDS risk was reduced by 72 percent," says Dr. De-Kun Li of Kaiser Permanente.

While the Atnips and their sons Michael, Justin and Nolan remember Garrett's life, they believe ultimately their family's future is in God's hands. The Atnip's say the group SIDS Resources offered much needed support to their family during their grieving process. -NewsAnchorMom Teresa

Has anyone heard of this whole fan idea?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Have you ever lost a baby?

I got an emotional email from a woman who lost an unborn child six years ago. The baby was growing in her falopian tube instead of her uterus (ectopic pregnancy.) She was newly married and conceived the baby during her honeymoon. If you have ever had a miscarriage, you know what it's like to think you are having a baby and find out you will never see that smiling face. You go into the doctor's office to get a routine ultrasound and you can tell by the technician's face something is terribly wrong.

Ronald Reagan created Pregnancy and Infant loss month (PAIL) in 1988 to recgonize the emotional strain put on the millions of families who lose children to miscarriage, still births or the death of a newborn child each year.

A woman who does not want to be identified was willing to share her emtional story with us today. On October 15th, women around the country will light a candle at 7p.m. in honor of the baby they lost.

Six years ago, October 12, 2002, I got married and we conceived a baby on our honeymoon. It was not planned but we were so excited to be welcoming a baby into our lives. I found out I was pregnant right away and went to the doctor to make sure everything was going well. The doctor did an ultrasound and could not find the heartbeat or the baby and suspected that it was an ectopic (where the baby has attached to the fallopian tube). I went through such an emotional roller coaster over the next few days, as I had to do blood tests, more sonograms, and finally laproscopic surgery.

I had to be sure that the baby was really not in my uterus before I agreed to take the methotrexate, which would stop the growth of my baby. I felt like taking the medication was ‘killing’ my baby but yet I knew that it was the only option, as the baby would not survive in my tube. However, I hoped that the Doctor was wrong and that the baby would not be found in my tube. But he was not wrong.

I had to receive 2 shots of the Methotrexate and it gave me horrible stomach pains, one time even sending me to the emergency room. I also had to go to the lab a couple times a week to have my HCG levels tested. It was very hard for me emotionally to not be able to move past my loss. For 6 weeks I had to continually be reminded (with physical pain, blood draws, trips to the hospital) of my new reality. Family and friends tried to be supportive but didn’t know what to do or say. I really didn’t know how to deal with it either and even now, after 6 years, I am still working through all the emotions. I have since had two healthy, beautiful girls but I still think of my first child and wonder how things would have been with that baby here with us.

I have received so much support from the message boards on Ivillage as it helps so much to talk to others that have been through similar situations. My hope is that the word will get out about October being Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (PAIL) and that October 15th is PAIL Awareness Day. All those that have lost a baby whether it was from ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or infant loss will be lighting a candle on the 15th at 7pm to create the “Wave of Light”. This is to honor the babies that were lost and if all time zones light a candle and keep it lit for 1 hour; there will be a continuous “Wave of Light” over the entire world on October 15th.

Written in honor of my baby-due date 7/10/03.

Have you ever lost a baby? We would love to hear your story!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Do you have ladders in case of a fire?

Do any of you have home fire sprinklers? I didn't even realize they exist until I got an email from the Home Safety Council. I guess you can have them installed in your home in case there's a fire. But how much do they cost and will your carpet be ruined if they go off when you burn something in the kitchen? I don't know, but I am leery of this. How likely is it that your house will catch fire?

I have a two-story house and I feel like we should have some sort of ladder we could use to get out from the windows in an emergency. My husband thinks I'm crazy.

So I told the Home Safety Council about my concerns and I got some great answers.

1. Regarding your question about cost of residential sprinkler systems, the cost will vary significantly depending upon if the system is being installed in a new-build home, or if it is being installed in an existing home. The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) estimates that fire sprinklers add about 1-1.5 percent to the overall cost to build a new home. The cost is part of the new home mortgage, just like plumbing. You can find this information at the very bottom of Home Safety Council’s Web page, http://homesafetycouncil.org/safety_guide/sg_fire_w012.aspx.

2. Additionally, this page contains a wide range of interesting information about home fire sprinklers. Addressing your question about whether your carpet will be ruined if a fire sprinkler goes off when you burn something in the kitchen hits on a common misconception about how home fires sprinklers actually work. Burning food while cooking is very unlikely to set off a fire sprinkler. Fire sprinklers are made so they turn on when a fire raises the temperature near the sprinkler. Most home fire sprinklers turn on at about 135°F. And, when a fire sprinklers turns on, it puts water right on the flames. Only the sprinkler(s) closest to the fire will open and usually only one sprinkler is needed in home fires. Because each fire sprinkler works on its own and they do not spray water all together, a fire in the kitchen will not set off the sprinkler in another room of the house or even in a different area of the room with the fire.

3. Lastly, to answer your question about the likelihood that your house will catch fire, the U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) Web site http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/national/residential.shtm, has information on the number of residential fires by year. It states that in 2007, 414,000 residential fires were reported. Another important statistic to keep in mind is that the Home Safety Council’s State of Home Safety in America™ indicates that fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths.

October is Fire Safety Month. Fires and burns are the third leading cause of home injury and result in more than 3,400 deaths each year.

The non-profit Home Safety Council says only 37 percent of Americans have taken any steps to protect themselves against fires. Only 13 percent of people polled said they have planned and practiced a family fire drill. I know we haven't.. I do need to go over this with my son.

The Home Safety Council says only 51 percent of people surveyed had smoke alarms in their bedrooms. We do have smoke alarms in all of our bedrooms, but have not installed the Carbon Monoxide Detectors yet!! We will be doing that this week. Yikes!

“With less than three minutes to escape if a fire occurs, every home needs a well-rehearsed escape plan and working smoke alarms. They are critical to saving lives,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council.

Installing and Testing Smoke Alarms:
· Only purchase smoke alarms that are listed by a national testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL; look for the listing mark on packaging.
· Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. At the least, make sure there is an alarm near every sleeping area.
· HSC recommends installing additional smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.
· For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms throughout. Some models provide dual coverage.
· Smoke rises, so smoke alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings.
· Choose an installation location that is well away from the path of steam from bathrooms and cooking vapors from the kitchen, which can result in nuisance alarms. Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.
· Test each smoke alarm every month. Push the test button until you hear the alarm.
· Put new batteries in your smoke alarms at least one time each year, and any time the alarm signals low battery power (typically a chirping noise).
· HSC recommends using interconnected smoke alarms. These alarms are available with wireless connection and hard-wired with battery back-up. Interconnected alarms are linked together so that if one alarm detects a fire, they all signal together.
· If your smoke alarms are 8-10 years old, get new smoke alarms.

Plan and Practice a Family Fire Drill:
· Make a fire escape plan with every member of your family. Sketch out a map of your home, including all rooms, windows, interior and exterior doors, stairways, fire escapes and smoke alarms.
· Make sure windows and doorways open easily and unlock easily from the inside, without a key. Make sure stairs and doorways are never blocked. Look for these and other things that could slow down your escape.
· If you have security bars on doors and windows, have a “quick-release” latch on the inside. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to use the latch.
· Find two ways out of every room – the door and maybe the window. You might need an escape ladder to get out of upstairs windows. If so, they should be part of your fire drill. Select two escape routes from each room and mark them clearly on the plan.
· Children and many older adults will need help escaping a fire. Plan for this. Know who needs help and pick an able family member to help them. If anyone in the household has a hearing impairment, purchase special smoke alarms that use strobes and/or vibrations to signal a fire.
· As a family, agree on a place to meet in front of your home. Use a portable phone or a neighbor’s phone to call 911 in a fire emergency. Once you get out, don’t go back inside for anything.
· Make copies of the escape plan sketch and post them in each room until everyone becomes familiar with them.
· Practice makes perfect. Hold family fire drills frequently and at various times until the escape plans become second nature. Once you’ve mastered the escape process, hold a drill when family members are sleeping so you can test each family member’s ability to waken and respond to the smoke alarm.

Do you know anyone who has been in a fire in their home? How did it happen? Any tips for us?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Double your Vitamin D

From ABC: The American Academy of Pediatrics is doubling its recommended amount of vitamin D for infants, children, and adolescents. The move comes amid increasing concern that kids aren't getting enough vitamin D to keep their bones healthy, but doctors say boosting vitamin D could also help fight off serious diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

American children aren't getting enough vitamin D to ensure healthy bone strength, according to doctors at the American Academy of Pediatrics. As a result, the organization is DOUBLING the D for infants and children of all ages - from 200 international units to 400 international units per day.

Experts are concerned by reports of American children suffering from Rickets - a bone softening disease that is easily prevented with adequate vitamin D. But getting enough vitamin D is difficult to do through diet alone, as the nutrient is not found naturally in very many foods.

Many doctors now advise spending 10 to 15 minutes per day in the sun to trigger vitamin D production in the skin. Drinking fortified milk also helps, but the new recommendations say infants and children will likely need supplements to get the full amount.

Increasing levels of vitamin D may have health benefits beyond strengthening bones. Research has also linked low vitamin D levels in adults to greater risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

I go back and forth on multi-vitamins for my kids. If I am going to start spending the money on vitamin D, maybe I should get a multi-vitamin. Then again, if they don't need the other vitamins, maybe not. But will those little Flintstones vitamins harm them? I doubt it. So right now I am thinking about picking up some multi-vitamins that contain an adequate amount of vitamin D. Do you give your kids vitamin D supplements?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

HOLIDAY GIVE-A-WAY

NewsAnchorMom.com and WHOI-TV are giving away tons of free prizes in November! I am so excited about this opportunity. These are some REALLY great gifts that parents like you can appreciate!

Soderstrom Skin Institute:

$50.00 gift certificate to Skin Dimensions online.com/$50.00 gift certificate to the new Shoppes at Grand Prairie store. I have five of these prizes worth $100 a piece! What a generous offer from Soderstrom. I wish I could put my own name in!

Skin Dimensions Boutique opened its doors at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie in November of 2007. This sister aesthetic shop to Skin Dimensions Day Spa, was the first boutique of its kind, and is one of the most unique shops in town; that’s because it was conceived with our clients’ variety of needs in mind. The boutique offers the highest quality skin care products and services within the convenience of a shopping mall.

Services provided, include: facials, microdermabrasion, glycolic peels, waxing, eyebrow and lash tinting, and Bare Escentuals makeovers performed by our specially trained and licensed estheticians. The estheticians work closely with our physician staff, and are able to recommend complete cosmetic care, ranging from at home skin care regimens to cosmetic surgery. More than 30 national and international skin care lines, as well as our own private label line, Skin Dimensions, SB are available at the Boutique.

Complementing Skin Dimensions Boutique is SkinDimensionsOnline.com, where you will find a variety of facial skin care products to help keep your complexion looking fresh and radiant. The online store is up to date on the latest available in cosmetic skin care, offering customers the highest quality products at reasonable prices. Skin Dimensions Online carries over 25 National and International skin care product lines, including: Bare Escentuals, Eminence, Guinot, MD Formulations, Kinerase, Obagi, Peter Thomas Roth, and Skin Dimensions, SB, their own private label skin care line. Browse through the site, and you’ll find great gift ideas and hot new items. Skin Dimensions Online does more than just provide customers with great skin care treatment products; the site also educates customers about good, natural skin care techniques. The “SB Lounge” provides subscribers with monthly tips for facial skin care, free samples with orders, and special discounts.

Berean Bookstore:

Your favorite Christian book store is giving away a $50 gift card each night of the contest! It's a great chance to get your family something spiritual they will truly treasure for Christmas. The owner was glad to help out deserving families as we prepare to celebrate Jesus's birthday. Berean Bookstore is located next to Kroger at 801 West Lake Street. It opened its doors in 1946. Berean is open Monday-Saturday from 9a.m.-9p.m.

Rainbow Play Systems Birthday Party:

What a great place for a birthday party! The kids can play inside or outside on state-of-the-art Rainbow Play Systems. If you have never been, you are missing out. My kids love this place. You can even pay a small fee and your kids are free to roam the play sets all day! Rainbow gave us FIVE FREE BIRTHDAY PARTIES to give-a-way! During birthdays, you get the entire area for 14 kids for two hours! Table, chairs and privatre party room included!

Britches and Bloomers:

This adorable shop is the place to go if you want something unique for your little one or if you want to get a special gift for a friend. Britches 'n Bloomers, located in Metro Center in the heart of Peoria, specializes in the best for children ages infant through approximately 8 or 9. Having been in business for 30 years, they are experts in fit and design.

Whether it's a special occasion, birthday, new baby or "just something different" you will not be disappointed. Toys, books, clothing, shoes and accessories are just some of the wonderful items they carry. Come take a peak today!

AAA Chicago Motor Club:

AAA is giving away two memberships! The memberships include 24 hour road side assistance, show your card and save at stores like Target.com and Best Buy and nationwide bond protection.

AAA is also handing out three piece red luggage set made by American Trunk and Case. It comes with a 25 inch expandable upright, a 20 inch expandable upright, and a 19 inch satchel!

You can also win a prize package that includes a 29 inch wheeled duffle bag and a limited edition David Ragan collector car.

And don't forget, AAA is the exclusive place to purchase a vacation with the Chicago Cubs this year! The trip takes you to Universal Orlando Resort for four days. I am taking my family. My boys will be hitting, pitching and catching with players like Aramis Ramirez and Billy Williams! This link has more information.

Fired Up:

Fired Up is donating one $50 gift certificate for the pottery store. If you have never been, it's located on Prospect Ave. in Peoria Heights and on Fort Jesse Road in Normal. You pick out a piece of pottery and paint your own design. There are a lot of ideas on the walls and the employees are very helpful if you're not sure which colors/shapes to use. I take my five-year-old and he absolutely loves it.

Fired Up is a relaxing, inspiring space to gather and create. Transform your vision into beautiful, practical works of art. Select from the finest bisque and the most vibrant pallette of colors available. Create simple, classic patterns or more elaborate designs. After you are finished with your masterpiece, someone from the shop will glaze and fire your piece. They are usually ready in about a week.

Methodist Medical Center BodyGem:

Are you trying to lose weight? Methodist's Wellness Center is giving away something that will help called a Metabolic Fingerprint. A fitness expert will use the BodyGem (in the picture) to measure your metabolism and determine how many calories your body needs to meet your goals. It is often used for weight loss. The testing takes about 30-45 minutes. The testing does require you to be fasting for up to four hours prior to the test. If you don't win this prize, but are still interesting in determining your metabolism, you can call the Wellness Center at (309) 672-5904 to schedule and appointment! Wouldn't it be nice to know exactly how many calories you can consume without gaining weight or how many calories you can consume to lose weight? Every one's metabolism is different!

You can click on the names of all the stores listed above for more information. By registering you will be automatically signed up to receive regular email updates from NewsAnchorMom.com. The email will give you a quick look at the latest parenting topics being discussed.

SIGN UP:

Email me at newsanchormomcontest {at} gmail {dot} com with the following information:

1. Name/Age

2. Where you are from

3. Your email address

4. Your telephone number

5. Your home address or the place you would want a prize shipped

If you have a friend or family member who is not a big fan of email, you can also send me this information through the postal service:

Jen Christensen
WHOITV
500 North Stewart Street
Creve Coeur, IL 61610

WATCH HOI 19 THIS NOVEMBER AND WIN! The drawings start on Sunday, November 16th during the 10p.m. news on WHOI TV, Channel 19 in Peoria, Illinois. We will be drawing 5-6 winners live each night. November 17-20th the drawings are during the 5p.m. newscast. I will post the winners of the contest on NewsAnchorMom.com on November 20th.

Note: You do not have to live in the area to register, but most of the gift certificates to local stores have to be used at the location in the Peoria area.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

HOI-19 News/NewsAnchorMom Holiday Give-a-way

Official Rules:

By entering, entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these contest rules.

No purchase necessary. Must be at least 18 years old to enter.
Employees and families of Barrington Broadcasting, WHOI-TV/eHOI, Sponsor and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, suppliers and their advertising and production agencies (collectively, the “sponsors”) are not eligible to participate.

To enter, send an email to newsanchormomcontest@gmail.com Entries may also be made by mailing name, age, address and phone number to: “Jen Christensen”, WHOI-TV, 500 N. Stewart St., Creve Coeur, IL 61610.

Sponsors are not responsible for lost, illegible, misdirected or late entries. limit one entry per person. Sponsors are not responsible for any technical difficulties or preemptions that may occur.

Entries due by noon on Sunday, November 16th, 2008.
Odds of winning determined by number of entries received.

Winners will be selected by random drawing on November 16th at 10p.m. and November 17-20th at 5p.m.

Prizes may not be exchanged for cash or any other consideration. no substitution of prizes permitted. Winner may not sell or transfer any prizes.
Except where prohibited by law, winner agrees to the use of his/her/their name, voice and likeness, without additional compensation, by sponsors for publicity. By entering this contest, the winner acknowledges that WHOI-TV/eHOI, and all other sponsors and venues have the right to publicize his/her/their name, voice and likeness, the fact that he/she/they won; and all matters incidental there to.

Upon acceptance of the prize, winner releases sponsors from any and all liability for injury, loss or damage of any kind that may result in acceptance of the prize awarded. Winner is liable for all taxes. In the event of a dispute, all decisions made by WHOI-TV/eHOI and contest sponsors are final and binding.You may be required to pick up some of the larger prizes.

Is Flu Mist the best choice for your kids?

Flu Mist, the intra-nasal flu vaccine, is now approved for kids as young as two-years-old. I have heard a lot of doctors recommending it for kids because then the kids don't have to get a shot. There is a huge push this year from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get the flu vaccine. So which version will you choose for your kids? Flu Mist or the shot? Or will you opt out all together?

I have a friend whose two-year-old got the Flu Mist, got a fever and nasal drainage the next day and ended up with pneumonia. Was it related? I don't know, but it sparked my interest to look into the possible side effects of kids getting Flu Mist. I am not saying getting Flu Mist for your kids is a bad decision, I just thought you might want to look at all the opinions on this big push to get it so you are making an informed decision. My friend didn't realize there was any controversy with it and her doctor never mentioned it.

Y2K Health and Detox Center:

Hundreds of TV and print advertisements have been designed to persuade everyone into taking the FluMist plunge. The campaign will be the "most intense, direct-to-consumer marketing campaign ever waged for a vaccine," costing an estimated $25 million over the next 2.5 months [2]. In addition, Wyeth, MedImmune’s partner, plans a three-year, $100 million campaign to encourage use of the nasal flu vaccine among physicians.

However, there are many reasons for caution. FluMist contains live (attenuated) influenza viruses that replicate in the nasopharynx of the vaccine recipient. The most common side effects include "cough, runny nose/nasal congestion, irritability, headaches, chills, muscle aches and fever > 100° F."[6] These symptoms are nearly identical to those the flu vaccine is designed to prevent. [7]

A cause for significant concern is the vaccine’s most prevalent side effects: "runny nose" and "nasal congestion." It has been documented that the live viruses from the vaccine can be shed (and potentially spread into the community) from recipient children for up to 21 days,[8] and even longer from adults.[9] Viral shedding also puts breastfeeding infants at risk if the mother has been given FluMist.[10]

In addition to shedding via nasal secretions, the virus can be dispersed through sneezing. What is the normal physiological response when an irritant enters the nasal passages? A sneeze…sometimes a big sneeze…sometimes several big sneezes. Therefore, the risk for shedding–and spreading–live viruses throughout a school, church, workplace, or store — especially one which is administering the vaccine. In the section of the FlumMist package insert labeled "PRECAUTIONS," the manufacturer states the following warning:

"FluMist® recipients should avoid close contact with immunocompromised individuals for at least 21 days."

One of the most troubling concerns over the injection of this "chemical soup" is the potential for the viruses to enter directly into the brain. At the top of the nasal passages is a paper-thin bone called the cribriform plate. The olfactory nerves pass through this bone and line the nasal passages, carrying messenger molecules to the brain that are identified as "smells" familiar to us. The olfactory tract has long been recognized as a direct pathway to the brain.

Intranasal injection of certain viruses has resulted in a serious brain infection called encephalitis, presumably by direct infection of the olfactory neurons that carried the viruses to the brain.[19] Time will tell whether the live viruses in FluMist will become linked to cases of encephalitis.

Are these claims true? I don't know, but I will be asking to see the package insert if I decide to give Flu Mist to my kids! I do know the side effects this doctor lists are true, but I don't know about her conclusions. I found the same information written by different people all over the internet. There is obviously a process the FDA goes through before allowing drugs on the market, so I might just be being an overprotective mom. Still, I will be asking my pediatrician for more details than the standard, "Flu Mist is safe because I said so."

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.