Danish researchers report that children whose mothers had the flu or ran a fever lasting more than a week during pregnancy had an increased risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder. The study analyzed data collected from 97,000 mothers of children born from 1997 through 2003. The children whose mothers specifically reported having the flu during pregnancy had double the risk of being diagnosed with autism before age 3. Children whose mothers had a fever for more than seven days had three times the risk for autism. There was also a small increased risk of autism after the mother’s use of various antibiotics during pregnancy. It also found no association between mothers who reported common respiratory or sinus infections, common colds, urinary tract or genital infections, during pregnancy and autism in their children.
Inhalants, Huffing, Drugs & Teens
Alcohol, marijuana, and opiates are often drugs that teens turn to in high school. Some are now choosing to inhale toxic household products they can easily obtain such as computer air dusters, gasoline, butane, Freon, paint thinner, glues, whipped cream, and anything else in an aerosol can. This is called “huffing”. Some youths first use inhalants when they are around 11 or 12. For some, it is the first or second drug kids try (even before alcohol or cigarettes). About 2.6 million children ages 12 to 17 uses an inhalant each year to get high.
Huffing occurs when sprays are put into a plastic bag and inhaled, a rag or sock is soaked in the chemical and then the vapors are inhaled, or vapors are inhaled directly out of the container. The fumes end up cutting off oxygen to the brain, producing a high. Lack of oxygen and cardiac arrest are the leading causes of sudden death from huffing.
In a 2011 study, 11% of US teens said they had used inhalants in their lifetime. In Massachusetts 5% of high school students reported using inhalants in the past 30 days. This method of drug use is a problem because these chemicals are readily available in homes and stores and are not illegal to sell or possess.
How To Treat The House For Head Lice
If someone has lice, everything will need to be treated to prevent re-infection. Heat is lethal to lice and their eggs, so most personal articles can be disinfected by machine washing in HOT water and/or machine drying, using the hot cycle of the dryer. Non-washable items may be disinfected in the dryer, provided that heat will not harm them. If only using the clothes dryer for disinfection, dry articles for at least 20 minutes at the high heat setting.
Generally you will need to machine wash all clothing and bed linens that have been in contact with the infested person. Non-washable items can be vacuumed, dry-cleaned or placed in a plastic bag and sealed for 14 days. Combs, brushes, similar items can be disinfected by soaking them in one of the shampoos specially designed for head lice for one hour or by soaking them in a pan of water heated on the stove to about 150 degrees for 5 – 10 minutes.
How to Treat Lice
There are 2 steps for treating lice. Chemical treatment with the use of a medicated shampoo is the first step. When using this special chemical laden shampoo, do not apply it in bathtub or shower. Apply over sink to minimize the exposure of the chemical to the rest of the body.
The second step for treating lice is manual removal. For this you will need a fine tooth metal comb specially designed for lice removal. Comb out hair removing all tangles and debris. Work on one section of the hair at a time and comb each section away from scalp. Clean off the comb after each stroke to remove any caught lice or eggs. Repeat this technique throughout the head carefully inspecting the hair. Remove nits with fingernails or safety scissors if nits remain after several attempts with the comb.
Head Lice and School
Head lice can be a common problem in children. Lice can be transmitted to others easily so proper treatment is essential. We all want to avoid getting lice. However what do you do if your child’s head starts to feel itchy? Any student suspected of having head lice should go to the nurse’s office for a hair inspection at school or to a doctor’s office immediately.
The goal is to identify and eliminate head lice and nits as quickly as possible to minimize interruption of classroom time. Any student found to have evidence of head lice must be excluded from school until proper treatment for lice has been completed. This is for the safety of the rest of the school.
If your student has head lice the following steps need to be taken:
1. Siblings and parents must be head checked to see if they have lice also.
2. Tell the school so a notice can be sent out to the affected classrooms as soon as possible. This will allow for proper cleaning and the head checks of classmates if the school deems it appropriate.
Flu Shots & Children
Some studies say that children have increased potential to get the flu later in life when repeatedly given the flu shot during childhood. Do not let the local drug store or doctor scare you into automatically buying a flu shot.
Has anyone in your family received flu shots? What were the past results? Please let us know.
Counterfeit ADHD Medication on the Rise
The US Food and Drug Administration has sent out a warning about counterfeit versions of the ADHD drug Adderall 30 mg available to purchase on-line. Adderall has been in short supply for months. According to the FDA, the counterfeit version of this drug contains the wrong active ingredients. They warn that Adderall may be fake if it has any of the following:
Pills come in a blister package
There are misspellings on the package such as “NDS” instead of “NDC”, “Aspartrte” instead of “Aspartate”, or “Singel” instead of “Single”.
The tablets have no markings on them.
Be sure to check for these misspellings and errors on drug store purchased medications too.
Autism and Physical Symptoms
Autism is not just a brain problem. Many people with autism, which affects 1 in 110 children, often have physical symptoms including sleep disorders, seizures, energy problems, immune system issues, and digestive troubles. Treating these symptoms can improve the lives of autistic children. For example treating their stomach when gastrointestinal problems are evident may reduce distressed and autistic behaviors.
Study Results: Breathing Difficulties and Sleep
A British study was conducted on March 2012 where 8,000 parents with children ages 7 and under were investigated. The study found that children who snored or had other breathing difficulties during sleep were 50% more likely to have behavioral issues such as hyperactivity, temper tantrums, or anxiety.
Saving Children & Animals From Hot Cars
The public can help protect children and dogs from heat-related illness. If you witness a child or dog left unattended in a hot car, don’t assume the owner will be “right back”. Also do not assume that the child or dog is safe since the windows are open a crack. You can save a life when you see a child or dog left in a parked car by calling the local police or 911 immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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