Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day - Saturday October 5th

October 5th is the 10th Anniversary of the International Mountain Bike Association’s Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. These events are a great way to introduce a kid to the great sport of Mountain Biking.
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9 Foods Not to Give Your Kids

9 Foods not to give your Kids: This article by By Joe Wilkes Shares some startling data about Childhood Obesity, common food choices, and healthier alternatives. Read this before you serve up your next meal.

Swine Influenza FAQ

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised it’s pandemic alert to level 5.
This means that the Swine Flu (Influenza Type A H1/N1) is now spreading rapidly in many countries.

According to the WHO’s Director General "This change to a higher phase of alert is a signal to governments, to ministries of health and other ministries, to the pharmaceutical industry and the business community that certain actions should now be undertaken with increased urgency, and at an accelerated pace"

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza
viruses. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine
flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this
transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.


What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and
include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people
have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection
in people.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way
that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through
coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by
touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.


What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of
sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious
food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close
contact with people who are sick.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and
then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an
infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches
respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their
own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday
actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like
influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue
in the trash after you use it.
 Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
 Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
 If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or
school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work
or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may
prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover
your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every
time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or
clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with
soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not
available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find
them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry.
The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

Does the Flu shot protect me from Swine Flu?
It is not believed that the current seasonal flu shot offers any protection against swine flu,
though it may help to reduce the severity of any infection.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with
influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or
vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you
are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether
influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as
possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
 Wash hands often when you are sick.
 Cover your mouth and nose with tissue every time you sneeze, blow your nose, or
cough. Do not use handkerchiefs. Put used tissues into the nearest trash can.
 If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve to cover your mouth and nose. Do not use
your bare hands.
 Always wash your hands after sneezing, blowing your nose, or coughing, or after
touching used tissues.
 When visiting your doctor or clinic, notify the receptionist if you have a fever with
cough or rash. They may ask you to wear a mask or wait in a separate area.
 Stay home if you have a cough and fever. Keep away from family members that are
very young, very old, or have a serious disease or weak immune system.
 Because cold viruses can survive for hours outside the body, cleaning surfaces with a
virus-killing disinfectant (such as a 1 part household bleach to nine parts water
solution) might help prevent spread of infection.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical
care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
 Fast breathing or trouble breathing
 Bluish skin color
 Not drinking enough fluids
 Not waking up or not interacting
 Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
 Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
 Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
 Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
 Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
 Sudden dizziness
 Confusion
 Severe or persistent vomiting

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from
eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Swine Flu - What you Need to know

As of 26th April 2009, 20 cases have been confirmed of people contracting respiratory illness Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) in the U.S. All the cases so far have been associated with the mild illness and have recovered.

The situation in Mexico is less clear but the media has reported 1324 cases of respiratory illness resulting in 81 deaths (at least 18 of these have been confirmed as Swine influenza A/H1N1, and more than half of those are genetically identical to the Swine influenza A/H1N1 viruses), there are suspected cases reported from New Zealand, Spain, France, and Israel - all involving travellers returning from Mexico.

What is it?
The Swine influenza A/H1N1 virus is associated with this outbreak appears to be a new virus derived from avian, human, and swine virus sources. So far it has been sensitive to the newer antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®).

Recommendations
Influenza is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. Close attention to personal hygiene and respiratory etiquette will help prevent catching and spreading influenza:

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.


• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully Maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people


• If you travel to/from affected areas, you are advised to consult a doctor immediately if you develop flu-like symptoms

For more health information visit one of the following websites:
CDC (US) - http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
WHO - Swine Influenza - http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Outdoor Safety in the Winter

Outdoor Safety in the Winter
Written by Julie Saviano

Just because it’s getting colder outside, doesn’t mean that folks will stay inside until springtime. As temperatures begin to drop and snow accumulations rise, active kids and adults begin clamoring for old-fashioned winter fun.
There are plenty of activities to keep everyone interested; skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and ice skating. There are also plenty of not-so-fun tasks that may need to be done, such as shoveling or snow-blowing, changing tires, removing Christmas lights and outdoor decorations.
A few precautions can help ensure that everyone stays safe while working or playing outside.
The most important thing is to dress appropriately. A good rule of thumb is to wear loose, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped air between the layers acts as an insulator. Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. The fabric on outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Always wear a hat or cap on your head since half of your body heat could be lost through an uncovered head. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves because fingers maintain more warmth when they touch each other.
Kids should take indoor breaks every 30-40 minutes since they lose body heat faster than adults. And remember to have them drink water and wear sunscreen -- dehydration and sunburn also occur in the winter.
If someone has had prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, especially in children and the elderly, you will need to check for hypothermia or frostbite.
Some symptoms for hypothermia may include:

1. Inability to concentrate
2. Poor coordination
3. Slurred speech
4. Drowsiness
5. Exhaustion
6. Uncontrollable shivering, followed by a sudden lack of shivering*

The symptoms for frostbite are different than hypothermia because there is no pain associated with the early stages of frostbite. People working or playing outside can develop frostbite and not even know it. First, the skin may feel numb and become flushed. Then it turns white or grayish-yellow and feels cold to the touch. Typically, frostbite occurs on extremities such as fingers, toes, tip of nose and ear lobes. If you encounter someone who may have frostbite, move that person to a warm location and cover the affected area with something warm and dry. Never rub the area. If a person's body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, get emergency medical assistance immediately! Remove all wet clothing, wrap the victim in warm blankets and give warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated liquids until help arrives.

Facts
Last winter, five people died after falling through the ice.
Over the last 10 years, 52 people drowned after breaking through thin ice.
Sixty-five percent of all ice drownings are vehicle related.
Last winter, 22 people died in snowmobile accidents.
Last winter, 49 percent of snowmobile deaths were alcohol or drug related.

Sources:
http://www.suffolkcountyny.us/
http://www.parents.com/
http://www.winterweather.state.mn.us/WHAH_OutdoorWinterSafety.asp

World AIDS Day - Talking with your Kids about AIDS

When I was a kid AIDS was prominent in the news. First there was a period of fear, misconceptions, and bad information about the disease. Then Magic Johnson came public stating that he had the HIV virus. That changed everything suddenly the disease was not something that was relegated to homosexuals and those who had bad blood transfusions. Anyone could get AIDS.

Then the mention of AIDS in media became less frequent which created a false sense that the disease had become less prevalent. This is not true - The number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to 33 million today, and is still growing.

At the end of 2006, the CDC estimates that 448,871 people were living with AIDS in America. An estimated 3,775 children aged under 13 were living with AIDS at the end of 2006. The vast majority of these children acquired HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding.

Children newly infected with HIV in 2007 was .37 million and .27 million children died from AIDS in 2007

It is important that you talk with your children about AIDS. Here are some guidelines from talking with your kids:

When should I talk to my Kids about AIDS?: By the time they reach third grade, research shows that as many as 93 percent of children have already heard about the illness. Yet, while kids are hearing about HIV/AIDS early on, what they are learning is often inaccurate and frightening.
You can set the record straight -- if you know the facts yourself. HIV is transmitted from person to person through contact with blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk. HIV can be prevented by using latex condoms during sex, not sharing "drug needles," and avoiding contact with another person's bodily fluids. So stay informed. Sharing this information with your youngster can keep them safe and calm their fears. Finally, talking with your child about AIDS lays the groundwork for any future conversations about AIDS-preventative behavior.

Initiate discussion
Use a "talk opportunity" to introduce the subject of AIDS to your child. For example, try tying a discussion into something your child sees or hears, such as a commercial about AIDS. After you and your child watch the ad, say something like, "Have you heard about AIDS before? Well, what do you think AIDS is?" This way, you can figure out what she already understands and work from there.

Present the facts
Offer honest, accurate information that's appropriate to a child's age and development. To an 8-year-old you might say, "AIDS is a disease that makes people very sick. It's caused by a virus, called HIV, which is a tiny germ." An older child can absorb more detailed information: "Your body is made up of billions of cells. Some of these cells, called T-cells, help your body stay healthy by fighting off disease. But if you get a virus called HIV, that virus kills the T- cells. Over time, the body can't fight disease any more and that person has AIDS." Pre-teens should also understand how condoms could help protect people from getting AIDS and that the disease can be transmitted between persons who share drug needles. (If you have already explained sexual intercourse to your children, you might add, "During sexual intercourse, the semen from the man's body goes into the woman's body. That semen can carry HIV." If you have not yet talked about sex, don't bring it up during initial discussions about AIDS. It's not a good idea for your child's first information about sex to be associated with such a serious disease.)

Set them straight
Children's misconceptions about AIDS can be pretty scary, so it's important to correct them as soon as possible. Suppose your 8-year-old comes home from school one day, tearful because she fell down on the playground, scraped her knee and started bleeding -- and the other kids told her she would get AIDS. As a parent, you might explain, "No, you don't have AIDS. You're fine. You can't get AIDS from scraping your knee. The way you can get AIDS is when the fluids from your body mix with those of someone who has AIDS. Do you understand?" After such a discussion, it's also wise to check back with your child and see what she remembers. Understanding AIDS, particularly for young children, takes more than a single conversation.

Foster self-esteem
Praising our children frequently, setting realistic goals and keeping up with their interests are an effective way to build self-esteem. And that's important, because when kids feel good about themselves, they are much more likely to withstand peer pressure to have sex before they are ready, or to not do drugs. In short, they are less likely to engage in behavior that could put them at risk for AIDS.

Put Your Child's Safety First
Some adults mistakenly believe that AIDS is only a disease of homosexuals. Whatever your beliefs, try not to let your opinions or feelings prevent you from giving your child the facts about AIDS and its transmission -- it's information that's essential to their health and safety.

Be prepared to discuss death
When talking with your kids about AIDS, questions about death may come up. So get ready to answer them by reading books (see Readings for Children and Parents) available at libraries or bookstores. In the meantime, here are three helpful tips:
Explain death in simple terms. Explain that when someone dies, they don't breathe, or eat, or feel hungry or cold, and you won't see them again. Although very young children won't be able to understand such finality, that's okay. Just be patient and repeat the message whenever appropriate.
Never explain death in terms of sleep. It may make your child worry that if he falls asleep, he'll never wake up.
Offer reassurance. If appropriate, tell your child that you are not going to die from AIDS and that he won't either. Stress that while AIDS is serious, it is preventable.

Questions & Answers
What is AIDS?
AIDS is a very serious disease that is caused by a tiny germ called a virus. When you are healthy, your body can fight off diseases, like Superman fighting the bad guys. Even if you do get sick, your body can fight the germs and make you well again. But when you have AIDS, your body cannot protect you. That's why people with AIDS get very sick.

How do you get AIDS?
You can get AIDS when the fluids from your body mix with those of someone who has AIDS. You can't catch it like the flu and you can't get it just by touching or being near someone with AIDS, so you and I don_t have to worry about getting it. (NOTE: If you have already talked with your child about sex, you should also add, "You can also get AIDS by having unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who has the HIV virus.")

Can kids get AIDS?
Very few children get AIDS. But if they were born to a mommy who had AIDS, they could get AIDS when they were born. A long time ago, some kids who had hemophilia -- a disease that means their blood doesn't have enough good cells, so they need to get blood from other people -- got AIDS when they got blood. But that doesn't happen anymore. AIDS is mostly a disease of grownups. (NOTE: If your child already knows about the link between sex and AIDS, and IV drug use and AIDS, you might also add, "Sometimes teenagers who have unprotected sex or who share drug needles get AIDS." But you should still emphasize that "AIDS is mostly a disease of grown-ups.")

How can you tell from looking at someone if they have AIDS?
You can't. Anyone, regardless of what they look like, can have AIDS. People find out if they have AIDS after being tested by a doctor. Therefore, the only way to know if someone has AIDS is to ask him if he has been tested and if the test results were positive for HIV/AIDS.

Do all gay people get AIDS?
No. Homosexuals get AIDS the same way that heterosexuals do. And they can protect themselves the same way, too.

Herman Melville said:
"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men."
Bloggers writing today World AIDS Day have the opportunity to collectively connect with their readers and raise the awareness of the public. Through this medium we can bring back into focus an important issue that the mainstream media has let fade into the background.

Resources:
Statistics-Avert.org
Talkwithyourkids
Children Affected by AIDS