In the news

West Nile virus season is here

            West Nile virus appeared in the United States in 1999 and several hundred to several thousand cases have been reported each year since then. Since this is a mosquito-borne disease you can avoid it by avoiding mosquitoes and I’ll give you some tips on that below. Mosquitoes transmit other viral diseases that are much less common but that can be serious, even fatal.

            The good news is that the vast majority of cases of West Nile disease have few or no symptoms and when these occur they are usually limited to fever, headache and vomiting. The bad news is that about one percent of individuals usually the elderly, especially those with an underlying condition such as diabetes or cancer, will develop inflammation of the brain and/or nervous system. The mortality rate is low, roughly about 5 percent among reported cases.

            Although July and August are typically the worst  months for West Nile disease, there are already several hundred cases in the U.S. and more than two dozen deaths. If news reports in your area are reporting cases, be sure to take some basic steps to avoid mosquito bites.

            Although the type of mosquito that transmits this virus typically feeds after sunset, some strains don’t follow that schedule. Consider using a mosquito repellent when you have to be outdoors for a long period. These insects love the kinds of fragrances that we have become accustomed to using, such as perfume, hair spray, aftershave, etc., so it might be a good idea to take a break from fragrant products until autumn comes.

            Summertime is short-sleeve time but a long-sleeved shirt makes sense, especially if you are in a high-risk group.

            West Nile virus primarily targets birds, so don’t don’t pick up a dead bird, not even if you are wearing gloves.

Lifestyle

Is taking a multivitamin worth it?

            Some controversies never end and the vitamin supplement question is a classic. There is no question that a healthy diet is the best source of vitamins but most Americans don’t follow one. For example, only about one person in five eats the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables. Two studies of women of childbearing age showed that ninety percent (!) were lacking in one or more essential vitamins or minerals. Further, analyses of plant foods since the mid-twentieth century reveal losses of nutrient content in fruits and vegetables that range as high as 78 percent.

            Among more than 3500 participants over the age of 60 in a study done by Harvard professor Dr. JoAnn Manson and her colleagues at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Columbia University, persons taking a multivitamin had an estimated 3.1 fewer years of memory loss compared with those taking a placebo. Three years might not sound like much but I’ll take whatever I can get!