Vaccinations still remain a controversial subject, especially during back-to-school and flu seasons. However, the science has proven that vaccines help prevent the outbreak of disease within communities and save lives. But what if your being vaccinated could help save someone else’s life?
Have you ever wondered if your sunburn could have been related to the medication you were taking? Ever experienced burning and itching after applying certain brands of sunscreen? These situations can be labeled as either phototoxicty or photoallergy, and with the summer season approaching it is important that you understand the potential reactions that some of your medications can have with the sun.
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors –– but be careful of those pesky insects. Mosquitoes, bees, wasps, yellow jackets, ticks, spiders, chiggers, deer flies, and fire ants may all be lurking right in your backyard.
Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil. Currently, outbreaks are occurring in many countries. Zika virus will continue to spread and it will be difficult to determine how the virus will spread over time.
Often it can be difficult to tell the difference but there are clues that can help you and your doctor tell which one is causing your symptoms. It’s important to figure out which one it is because while many of the treatments are the same there are several that are different. Allergies are associated with sneezing, runny nose, nasal obstruction, and itching of the eyes, nose, and throat.
It’s finally the time of year when you can truly put on shorts and enjoy the outdoors. With that sunshine we have to remember our sunscreen and for some us — remember the poison ivy. Dr. David Gerson with Sherwood Family Medical Clinic has some advice.