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Right now at my house we are dealing with an ear infection, stomach flu, sinus infection, strep throat and upper respiratory infection. I am the only healthy one. I can't wait to see what I get (sigh.) I went to my first grader's school today for lunch (he has been on antibiotics for three days) and I heard so much hacking and coughing it made me cringe. I am just going to count on everyone being sick until winter is over. I give up. Is your family struggling with illness this year? This article tells you how it's most likely to spread.
FROM NBC: We all know how fast the flu can spread among school age children. Now researchers say children are three times more likely to spread the virus to peers of the same gender. The study of an H1N1 flu outbreak in a Pennsylvania community also found flu transmission rates were five times higher between classmates ... compared to those in a different class in the same grade. Kids from six to ten had the highest infection rate ... followed by children five and younger.
The CDC recommends three ways to prevent the flu
!. Get the flu vaccine
2. Take Everyday precautions to avoid it like washing your hands and not touching your nose, mouth or eyes
3. Taking anti-viral drugs at the first on-set of symptoms
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
Monday, February 7, 2011
How the flu spreads in schools
Sunday, February 6, 2011
New Preterm Birth Drug Approved
I have not had a pre-term birth, but I have had some scares. It sounds like I wouldn't be eligible for this drug because my kids were all born at term(not that I need any more kids!) If there are no dangers to the baby, I say GREAT! It is certainly a scary thought to think your baby is trying to come out early. I was given magnesium-sulfate to stop my contractions with my second (28 weeks.) My contractions stopped and I went on to deliver at 39 weeks. What do you think about the fast approval of this drug? I do wonder, why now?
FROM NBC: The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug to reduce the risk for preterm birth. The drug is called Makena. It's given once a week as a shot in the hip beginning between 16- and 22-weeks gestation. It's only intended for women at risk of delivering before week 37 of pregnancy and for women carrying single babies, rather than multiples. Makena was given fast-track status and the manufacturer will be required to conduct additional long-term studies for safety and effectiveness. The March of Dimes released a statement applauding the drug's approval.
FROM BUSINESS WEEK: "The most common risk factor for preterm birth is recurrence," said Dr. Alan Fleischman, March of Dimes senior vice president and medical director. "This is the first approved drug to prevent recurrence for women who have had a singleton preterm baby and now have a singleton baby," he added. "That will dramatically [lower the] rate for those women."
Hydroxyprogesterone caproate has not been without some controversy. In 2006, an FDA advisory committee considering hydroxyprogesterone caproate to treat preterm birth brought up safety concerns, including a possible association with second trimester miscarriages.
Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is also the same drug as a much older one called Delalutin, which was approved by the FDA in 1956 and was used to treat female hormone disturbances and cancer, but withdrawn from the market for business reasons in 2008, the agency says.
"Makena is chemically the same as Delalutin," Burgess said.
What is new here is that a drug company will be making the drug; it won't have to be made up in pharmacies, according to Fleischman. "There will be consistency and high quality. This makes it a breakthrough not only that it's FDA approved and doctors will be comfortable in recommending it, but also there will be high quality and consistency for women as they take it," he said.
-NewsAnchorMom JenThursday, February 3, 2011
Tonsillectomy and Weight Gain
My oldest had his tonsils and adenoids taken out. He is a skinny minny. I hope the surgery doesn't lead to him being overweight. I definitely think it has lead to fewer doctor's visits. He used to get strep throat often. He hasn't had it since they were taken out (which I guess is pretty normal with this surgery.) At least that's a plus!
FROM NBC: Kids who have their tonsils removed have an increased risk for gaining weight after surgery, according to a new report.
Experts stop short of saying having your tonsils removed *causes* weight gain, but it is worth studying further.
Here's more on this study from CBS
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Cameras in the Delivery Room?
I don't think it's weird that some people want a video or pictures of their baby being born. I, personally, am not one of those people, but I certainly think it's a normal thing. We usually take pictures right after the baby is born.
So I have no idea if local hospitals allow you to video tape or take pictures of the actual birth. I can totally see both sides of this issue. I think it's a parent's right to film their child's birth, but the two points made below are also good. What do you think? Should parents be permitted to film and take pictures of the birth of their baby?
FROM MSNBC:
For the hospital, the issue is not about “rights” but about the health and safety of the baby and mother and about protecting the privacy of the medical staff, many of whom have no desire to become instant celebrities on Facebook or YouTube.
Their concerns take place against a backdrop of medical malpractice suits in which video is playing a role. A typical case is one settled in 2007 that involved a baby born at the University of Illinois Hospital with shoulder complications and permanent injury; video taken by the father in the delivery room showed the nurse-midwife using excessive force and led to a payment to the family of $2.3 million.
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
The Blizzard of 2011
I can't imagine what my driveway will look like when we actually have a snow plow come through the neighborhood. There will be even more snow mounds in my yard. 
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Free Makeovers!
If you know someone who deserves a make-over, you can enter them in this contest in Central Illinois.
Alter Ego Spalon is offering makeovers to people who could use a little more sunshine in their day! Send in your story of someone you know who deserves a makeover on us! Maybe you know a single mom or dad, someone who has suffered a loss, someone who does for others and not for themselves,someone who can't afford the cost of spa/salon services, or possibly someone battling a debilitating health issue.
The Alter Ego Spalon Team will select the most deserving entries and will provide a complete one day package of our salon and spa services* for the winning entries! 8 Entries will be chosen! We strive to be at the forefront of giving back to the community and we are committed to continuing that legacy.
*Services include Facial, Makeup Application, Haircut and Color Service.
Please limit your entry to 500 words and email it to info@alteregospalon.com
Put 'Makeover Entry' in the subject line along with your name and phone number.
Winners will be announced February 14, 2011.
Winners must be willing to take before and after pictures and sign a model release form for possible publication.
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
Kids who scream during the night
There is a big difference between nightmares and night terrors. There is no cure for night terrors, but they do not cause psychological effects and they tend to go away as the child gets older. We have been dealing with them for 4 years. They come and go. Some weeks he will have several every night. Other times, they seem to disappear for weeks. I almost hate it when that happens because I get excited thinking they are gone for good. They always seem to come back. I am hoping he stops having them at some point. It really inhibits the amount of sleep a child gets. They wake up and don't feel rested. They are sluggish and irritable the day after a night with night terrors. It can be really debilitated to a family. So if your child wakes up screaming and yelling, ask them the next day whether they remember the episode. If they don't remember, they may have night terrors. The more you know about the disorder, the better you can respond.
Here's an article from CNN. I was really excited to see this article from a doctor in Evanston, IL. I was hoping she was a night terror expert and would have some new ideas on how to treat them. After reading the article, I think she has the same advice as the numerous other doctors we have talked to. Bummer!
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
