Nasal congestion, whether from the common cold or flu, or chronic allergies, can be the most annoying symptom for many people. A runny nose is usually treated with over the counter nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline (Afrin), which works well for up to half a day; this medicine is good for 3-5 days maximum.… Read the rest
Infant Fever: Which Medicine Works Best?
A child’s fever is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits. There are only a couple of medicines that are safe for infants; ibuprofen (aka Motrin) and acetaminophen (aka Tylenol, paracetamol). Which one works best?
Recent studies show that ibuprofen 10mg/kg is slightly better than acetaminophen 10mg/kg in terms of more rapid effectiveness, as well as lasting a bit longer (over 6 hours).… Read the rest
Flu Vaccine: Do You Need It?
By now, most clinics have received their supplies of seasonal flu (not H1N1) vaccine. But how effective is it, and who really needs it? Many people are wary of this vaccine, and only about 40% of adults get it annually.
The annual flu virus, for most people, is not a severe illness and is treated like a cold.… Read the rest
Rabies: How To Protect Your Pets and Your Family
I started to discuss rabies in last week’s review on Beijing vaccines, but there’s a lot of other information that expats need to know. Why is this so important? Because rabies is a major problem in China, and thousands of people die every year in China from infected dog bites — the majority of whom are children under 15 years, and whose lives would have been saved by receiving the rabies vaccines earlier.… Read the rest
Alcoholism: Do You Have It?
My father was a lively, warm hearted man. He was also an alcoholic, and he died far too early of advanced alcoholic cirrhosis (complete liver collapse). I see alcoholism as a big issue not only in my life but also, unfortunately, for a lot of expats and their families.… Read the rest
Tanning Beds Pose Serious Cancer Risk
Many people love their tanning booths, especially during the winter doldrums, but there is accumulating evidence that they do cause skin cancer. Last June, the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) officially elevated tanning beds to its highest cancer risk category – “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1).… Read the rest