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December 6, 2002
Contact: Angela Kelleher,
College of Nursing News Bureau, 509/324-7218,
writers@mail.wsu.edu Winter Health Tips Offered by People’s ClinicSPOKANE, Wash. – National Hand Washing Awareness Week December 8-14: Despite an ever increasing threat from antibiotic resistant "superbugs" and emerging new microbial illnesses, at least one third of Americans appear to have forgotten the single best piece of infection control advice Mom ever gave them — “always wash your hands after you go to the bathroom”. While 95 percent of men and women say they wash their hands after using a public restroom, only 67 percent of people actually do wash before leaving the restroom, this according to the results of a 2000 survey and observational study conducted for the American Society of Microbiology_s Clean Hands Campaign. The Center for Disease Control reports that hand washing is one of the most important means of preventing the spread of infection. According to Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing Professor Margaret Bruya, hand washing is the first line of defense for infectious diseases, including respiratory infections and gastrointestinal disorders, among others. Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death and disease worldwide as well as the third leading cause of death in the United States. Educating kids about the importance of hand washing is the best thing a parent can do to prevent illness in their children and homes. For assistance in reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing communications director at 509/324-7372, susann@wsu.edu or Angela Kelleher, communications writer at 509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu. Dry Winter Skin: Winter weather is dry, which inevitably dehydrates your skin. Dry air literally sucks the moisture right out of your skin. When humidity levels begin to drop in the fall, many people experience an increase in skin sensitivity accompanied by itchy dry skin. The key to fighting dry skin elements is protection and exfoliation. Protect skin by resisting the urge to jump into a steamy hot shower in the morning. Long soaks in hot water dry skin even more, so try to use tepid water and cut down on your rinse time. Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing Professor Margaret Bruya advises patients to exfoliate regularly and gently with a washcloth or scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. Most importantly, don’t forget to moisturize. Moisturizers allow the moisture to stay in the skin longer. Try a heavier lotion or dry skin formula in the winter months. Also apply moisturizers at night to allow time for undisturbed absorption. For assistance in reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing communications director at 509/324-7372, susann@wsu.edu or Angela Kelleher, communications writer at 509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu. Flu Symptoms: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from November to March each year, 35 to 50 million Americans will suffer from influenza or ‘the flu”. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get the flu, and frequently spread the virus to others. Although most people recover from the illness, the CDC estimates more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and more than 20,000 die from the flu and its complications every year. Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing Professor Margaret Bruya explains that flu symptoms usually start as cold-like symptoms, such as a sore throat and runny nose. Immediately fever, chills, muscle aches and pains, severe headache, and weakness set in. The flu vaccination is the best preventative action you can take to avoid the seasonal bug. Bruya advises patients to get a flu shot each year, particularly those over the age of 50 or who have a chronic health problem. Although you may still get the flu, a vaccination will help prevent and lessen the severity of the illness. Contact your health care provider or local pharmacy for information regarding flu shot availability and administration. For assistance in reaching Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing communications director at 509/324-7372, susann@wsu.edu or Angela Kelleher, communications writer at 509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu. People’s Clinic is a nurse-managed clinic established by the WSU College of Nursing in 1998 to increase access to health care throughout Spokane County. Located in the YWCA at 829 W. Broadway, the clinic serves more then 300 patients each month and is staffed and operated by the Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of Nursing. The clinic was established and is maintained with funding from many local and national foundations, agencies, organizations and individuals including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Foundation Northwest and the Health Resources and Services Administration. •242• |