There have been 1,284 cases of pertussis reported in the state of Washington through May 5, 2012, compared to 128 reported cases in 2011 during the same time period. There were 965 cases reported statewide in 2011 compared to 608 reported cases in 2010.  To control the outbreaks, schools have been closed and monitoring of cases continues.  

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and most commonly affects infants and young children. The infection is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which often makes it hard to breathe. After episodes of coughing, someone with pertussis often needs to take deep breaths which result in a "whooping" sound. For a sample of the characteristic “whoop” of pertussis – click the play button on the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/ .  You will surely agree, that this is very uncomfortable to even listen to – especially for a parent.  Coughing can be so severe that babies and young children cannot eat, drink or breathe properly.  Babies can bleed behind the eyes and in the brain with the coughing and brain damage occurs in 1 out of 250 children who get pertussis.  Pertussis can be fatal, especially in babies less than 1 year of age. 

Pertussis is an fairly common (but preventable) disease in the United States, with periodic epidemics every 3 to 5 years and frequent outbreaks. In 2010, 27,550 cases of pertussis were reported in the United States with 9,143 cases of pertussis (including ten infant deaths) reported in California. This is the most cases reported in that state in 63 years.  In the last decade outbreaks have been reported in an Amish Community in Delaware, in hospitals, in a high school in Cook County, Illinois, a school in Arizona and in adults working in an oil refinery in Illinois.

Institutional outbreaks of pertussis are common. Outbreaks at middle and high schools can occur as protection from childhood vaccines fades. In school outbreaks, prophylaxis with the pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap) is recommended for close classroom and team contacts.

The best way to protect against pertussis is immunization.

If you're working your way down you spring cleaning activity list, then your vacuum cleaner is probably getting a good work out. Although it is a major housecleaning tool, it is also a reservoir of dirt, bacteria and fungi. Your vacuum cleaner will also require your attention and cleaning.  (the same concept as the carpenter needing to sharpen the saw) You must regularly clean the filters and brushes to prevent the build up of dirt which can damage the vacuum or shorten its lifespan and cost you money. Here are a few quick maintenance tips that'll help keep your vacuum cleaner in top shape.

The dirt container. Whether your machine uses vacuum bags or not, the container can still be exposed to dust and grime, even if you discard its contents regularly. Simply remove the bag (if you have one), detach the container, and wash it with a mild dish detergent. Then, rinse and dry thoroughly before replacing.

The filter.  Most filters should be replaced every six to 12 months. Depending on the model, you may be able to detach the filter, brush off debris with an old toothbrush into the trash, and wash off any residue over the sink. Then, let the filter dry completely before snapping back in. But before you clean the filter, check the owner's manual for instructions. Some brands even upload manuals online, like Dirt Devil, iRobot and Bissell.

The brushes. Tangled hairs often get into the rotating mechanical brushes, which will slow down their movement and even ruin the motor. Turn the vacuum over and detach the brushes if possible. Use an old comb to remove any particles, and cut through hairs with a pair of scissors.

The attachments. Detach extra heads and extension tubes and remove any large particles or debris trapped inside. Next, with a mixture of warm water and dish soap, wipe down the attachments with a damp cloth.

One more tip to preserve your vacuum cleaner: attach a strong flexible magnet to the front of your machine close to the floor.  This will attract metal objects like pins and paper clips which can tear up your belt or motor if they get sucked up during vacuuming.  You may have to stop and clean off the magnet periodically but that is certainly better than changing belts or hauling it into the repair shop to deal with the problem. 

It is Earth Day!  I want to take this opportunity to recognize the millions of nanobugs that inhabit the soil and promote decay and enrichment of the soil.   I think most humans forget the positive contribution that microbes make to the cycles of life outdoors. I hope you can get your hands in the soil today and participate in tending the Earth. (Be sure to wash those hands when you are finished.) If you don’t want to be quite that “earthy” today, then just spend some time in the yard, the garden or a park - or gaze out your window if it is raining.  Expand your appreciation of the beautiful blooming trees and flowers to include the often-forgotten microbes that support Mother Earth and her vegetation. Go, nanobugs!

Multiple studies, although often small, have linked massage to better functioning of the immune system.  In one 2010 study, researchers at Cedars-Sinai's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences found that healthy adults who undergo massage experienced measureable positive changes in their body's immune and endocrine response.  

In the study, 29 subjects received 45 minutes of Swedish massage and 24 received 45 minutes of light touch massage. Each participant underwent informed consent, a physical and mental evaluation and was deemed to be physically healthy and free of any mental disorder. Massage therapists were trained in how to deliver both Swedish and light touch massage using specific and identical protocols. Prior to the massage, blood samples were taken form the study participants through intravenous catheters. Then participants were asked to rest quietly for 30 minutes. Following the rest period, blood samples were collected from each person five minutes and one minute before the massage began. At the end of the 45-minute massage session, blood samples were collected at one, five, 10, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after the massage.

The results: 1-People in the Swedish massage group experienced significant changes in lymphocytes counts and percentages. (Lymphocytes are white blood cells that play a large role in defending the body from infection and disease.) 2-Swedish massage caused a large decrease in Arginine Vasopressin (AVP)- a hormone believed to play a role in aggressive behavior and linked to helping cause increases in the stress hormone, cortisol. 3-Swedish massage caused a decrease in levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

"This research indicates that massage doesn't only feel good, it also may be good for you," said Dr. Mark Rapaport, MD, the principal investigator of the study. "More research is ahead of us but it appears that a single massage may deliver a measurable benefit."

   Read the entire report: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100908094809.htm

Spring cleaning is the process we employ after a winter of inside-living, to start fresh and clean with our environment.  I always imagine our grandmothers who were the most ambitious spring cleaners, flinging open the windows in the Springtime to allow an “airing of the house” and once again hanging clothes out to dry on the clothes lines.  The dilution of microbes trapped indoors with fresh air and the disinfecting ability of sunlight, made major contributions to a good spring cleaning and a healthy environment- and probably a healthy attitude, too.  

Pets can be a great asset to our health for lots of reasons.  This article from, Everyday Health.com gives you a dozen good reasons to share your living space with a pet.  http://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health-pictures/ways-your-pet-makes-you-healthy.aspx?xid=fb_EH_sf#/slide-1

But pets can also make a contribution to household dirt and debris (and that includes nanobugs).  I have a beagle (the 13-inch model) and I have found ways to manage pet hair, pet stains, and the other environmental issues of living with a dog.  Here are a few necessary housekeeping activities I recommend:

#1.  Vacuum once a week for each member of the family (including pets)

#2.  I use the Pledge Pet Hair Sweeper – it is disposable and works great for

       picking up pet hair on the bedspread, couch, etc.  

#3   Wash bedding (I use old receiving blankets and tee shirts for bedding)

       every other week or more, as required.

#4   Establish a schedule for walking a dog to discourage “inside jobs” and

       meticulously manage litter boxes for cats

#5   Clean pet stains on carpet ASAP and use an enzymatic cleaner – I prefer

       Resolve Pet Stain Formula in trigger sprayer because it has a scent that I

       can tolerate and it eliminates the pet odor so even a Beagle doesn’t go back

       to the same spot.

#6   Keep an old towel at the door where your dog comes into the house – so

       you can clean those paws before they track water, mud or snow all over.

#7   Take preventative action against flees and ticks in the summer. In addition,

        keep your eye out for these pests inside the house and treat immediately.

Spring is officially here.  The recent sunshine is probably exposing the need for spring cleaning of your house.  What are you waiting for?  Put it on your schedule and pick your process. But where do you start? How do you get the family to help? The decision to Spring Clean is first (it's usually an upper household management decision made by MOM) and the rest of it can be decided by the contributors.  There are many approaches to this nanobug busting process. Here are some suggestions: Start with the high work – ceilings, lights and fans, tops of bookcases, etc. Then do floors and floor coverings throughout the house – moving furniture and dusting baseboards, cleaning carpet and stripping wax as needed. Or, how about the “room a day method”? It is manageable and your incentive to complete the project builds with the accomplishment of each clean room.  Start in the kitchen and bathrooms. Then if you don't finish the whole house, you will have done the "hot spots" and can take it up again on some rainy summer day that when you are not lured outside.

Over the years I have a established a process that works well for me. It involves 4 major steps accomplished on the weekends: #1 declutter (which usually leads to a garage sale sometime later in May), #2 focus upon the kitchen and bathrooms, #3 other rooms in the house  #4 basement and the garage and on into the yard as weather permits.  

Pick your process and just DO it!  Put the nanobugs in their place - some belong back outdoors, some need to exit via the sink drain, and some need to die.  You might even encourage some to grow and thrive if you build a backyard compost.

Spring Cleaning is defined in Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as: “a thorough cleaning of the interior of a house, etc. as conventionally done in the spring”. I define spring cleaning as either - the engagement in cleaning activities that are ONLY preformed once a year (or maybe twice – the second time in the fall).  This might include things like having rugs or carpets cleaned, vacuuming draperies, moving the stove and refrigerator to clean under and behind them, cleaning out cupboards and drawers – clearly things that are not part of our usual housecleaning activities.  The other interpretation of spring cleaning is to “deep clean” the interior of the house – more specifically, routine cleaning done more thoroughly than usual.  Regardless, spring cleaning really helps keep the house clean and free of reservoirs of microbes that can affect the health of the family.   

HSV infections often occur in early childhood or adolescence by kissing someone who already has a cold sore.  The virus can leak from the cold sore of Kisser #1 and enter the body of Kisser #2 through a tiny crack in the lip or skin around the mouth.  This is why the sores occur as mirror images on the “kissers”.  HSV is a virus and therefore needs living cells to survive.  It invades the human cells and opens up a lesion “for business”, cranking out more virus to keep the love going. Initially, the invasion is painful and the person is not interested in pressing their lips on any one else’s.  But as the body cleans up the infection and healing is in progress, the virus is still present and viable.  Anyone can be at risk of HSV infection but it can be especially dangerous for small children and people with lowered immunity.  So the rule for prevention is this:  Don’t kiss anyone who has an obvious sore on their lip or around the mouth.  And if you have one – don’t touch or pick at it when it is healing.  Wash your hands after touching your mouth or the sore.  Never put contact lenses in your mouth to wet them – and definitely not when you have a cold sore.  Cold sores heal in about 2-3 weeks but the virus doesn’t leave you.  It can start trouble again months or even years later.  Reoccurrences usually happen when the person is under stress or when immunity is low.  

Unfortunately, Valentine's Day is celebrated in mid-February when the cold and flu season is still in full swing and our lips are still chapped from the extreme winter weather.  This potentially increases the number of infected kissers out there who should be winking instead of kissing.  So, be careful as you “spread the love” - don’t spread the virus too.  And for goodness sake, don’t let your lover with a cold sore kiss anywhere else either – this rule will help you avoid genital herpes (Herpes Simplex 2).  Celebrate responsibly this year.  Flowers and candy are nice – and so are diamonds….and rubies…and pearls…… Or a nanobugs valentine.