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Show mMF s July 15,2010 California now has epidemic of pertussis after outbreak Take these steps to protect yourself and your family BY CAPT ANTONIO LEONARDI Chief of Community Health C alifornia is currently dealing with its worst epidemic of pertussis (whooping cough) in more than 50 years and multiple other states have noticed an alarming increase as well. In an effort to protect the health and well being of you and your family the 75th Medical Group advises that you read the following. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract which typically results in cold like symptoms coupled with spasmodic coughing characterized by a high pitched "whoop" upon inspiration, or while taking an intake breath. Complications of this disease can include middle ear infections, suffocation, seizures and other neurologic disorders. Newborns (less than two months of age) and unvaccinated infants are at the greatest risk of life threatening complications. The best way to prevent pertussis is by immunization. This is typically accomplished before the child reaches six months of age; however, if you have never received the vaccine you can do so at any age. For those who spend time in the company of infants, even if you were vaccinated as an infant you can decrease the risk of unknowingly spreading pertussis by receiving a booster shot. The next step in preventing a disease such as this is to maintain proper hygiene. U.S. Naval research shows that washing your hands five times a day (most notably before you eat, after touching surfaces frequently contacted by others or after using the restroom) can decrease the chance of contracting a respiratory disease by 45 percent. This is especially important given the Centers for Disease .ControPs statement that 80 percent of disease is transmitted by touch. In addition, remember to cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow and not into your hands to help prevent the spread of sickness. Adolescents and adults can carry and pass on the pertussis bacterium even if they have no symptoms. One possible reason we are seeing a rise in pertussis cases may be the recent claim that vaccines, are a potential cause of autism. While this contention was made against the vaccine for measles, mumps and Rubella; media frenzy and celebrity endorsements escalated concerns to the point that many simply assumed all vaccines are dangerous. There is no valid medical evidence to support any of these claims. In fact, vaccines have been preventing disease and saving lives for more than 70 years. The federal government has a system in place to monitor for adverse reactions and the vaccine companies routinely sample their product for quality control. . For more information on pertussis and how to prevent it — call your doctor or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpdvac/pertussis/default.htm. Additionally the 75th Medical Group's Public Health office is always here to help and available at (801) 586-9665. MWD Marco finds a home BY CATHERINE MCNALLY Hilltop Times staff R etirement — it's the day most of us are eagerly waiting for, the day we get to kick back, relax, and stop worrying about work. For Marco, a seasoned Military Working Dog stationed here at Hill Air Force Base, his days of relaxing on the couch and chasing squirrels began last week on July 6. At age 13, Marco was one of the oldest working dogs serving in the military and was the last "Bravo" series dog stationed at Hill, which meant he was the oldest at this base. He was trained to be a drug dog and when it came to sniffing out illegal substances, Marco was one of the best. "He was very good (to work with)," said Tech Sgt. David Mulder, a member of the 75th Security Forces Squadron's Military Working Dog section and one of Marco's previous handlers. Mulder and Marco deployed together for six months to Camp Cropper in Iraq. While there, they worked detainment operations, where Marco mostly acted as a deterrent to keep detainees from escaping, Mulder explained. While there, the pair also took part in "health and wellness inspections," or drug searches. "He had one find over there," Mulder said. "It was actually one of the detainees ..." After work was done, Mulder would sometimes let Marco sleep in his room with him. Unfortunately for Mulder, his canine friend happened to be a bed hog. See MARCO I page 10 Courtesy photo Marco B127, a Military Working Dog who worked with the 75th Security Forces Squadron's MWD division, is enjoying his retirement with one of his old handlers. Staff Sgt. Nathan Stull of the 446th SFS out of McChord AFB, Wash. Marco, a brindle-colored Dutch shepard, was 13 years old, or 65 in people years, when he retired. Keep sale with belts, car seats BY CATHERINE MCNALLY Hilltop Times staff I Courtesy photo Child safety seats must be used properly to ensure safety. t's amazing how one thin,. ...... strap of material can re- . duce the chance of injury or death in a car crash by about 45 percent. In fact, according • to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts saved more than 13,000 lives m 2008. So it's no surprise that ev--'..; }:;1| eryone traveling on Hill Air .: ^ Force Base and in the state of Utah must wear a seatbelt, passengers included. Though each state has its own rules regarding seat belt usage, it's safe to say that wearing a seatbelt helps protect not only you but your See SAFETY I page 11 ^ > Review: Letters from first Gulf War available soon 'Dear Diane' is a collection of the home ties keeping author connected to family BY LEE ANNE HENSLEY Hilltop Times correspondent M ore than two years ago, Stephen Bradshaw was cleaning his basement when memories of a war 20 years past returned to him through the contents in a plain box. In the box were letters he had written to his wife, Diane, since the inception of Operation Desei^ Shield in August of 1990 and, subsequently, the start of Operation Desert Storm in Janu- ary of 1991. Bradshaw was unaware that his wife saved every letter he had written to her on a nearly daily basis. To publicly honor her for preserving the mementos of this pivotal point in his life, he decided to publish his letters in a book titled, "Dear Diane: Letters from the First Gulf War." Due to be published July 31, the episodic autobiography presents each letter Bradshaw wrote to his wife in chronological order, with the author's expanded comments given throughout. "What I hope comes through strongest in my letters is this," Bradshaw writes in the book's introduction, "how lucky I was to have a wonderful wife to write to at home. I was able to stay (relatively) sane for the simple fact that I knew Diane was there for me." \ "Dear Diane" is being published ! at the tail end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in the midst of Operation Enduring Freedom, and Brad- ,; shaw believes the American public ! still struggles to comprehend the daily reported figures of lives lost as a potential neighbor or relative. However, for the military family membeif "those figures mean so See LETTERS I page 10 |