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This Deadly ‘Kissing Bug’ is Making Its Way Through the U.S.

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Kissing Bug

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials confirmed the migration of the kissing bug into North America. Here’s what you need to know about the insect and the potentially deadly disease it carries…

What is a Kissing Bug?

Triatomine bugs, also known as the kissing bug, carry Chagas disease and can infect humans with their bite, according to the CDC. Currently, Chagas disease is only found in the Americas. More specifically, it is found in the rural regions of Latin America. However, more recently, cases of the disease in the United States have been confirmed.

The bugs get their “kissing” nickname because of the location they typically bite people. Oftentimes, triatomine bugs bite people’s faces, but just because you’ve been bitten doesn’t mean you’ll contract the disease.

CDC officials say that transmission of Chagas is not that easy. The bugs typically suck a person’s blood after biting them, similar to a mosquito, then they defecate immediately afterward. If the infected feces enters the body, an infection may occur.

Congenital transmission is also possible. Chagas can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her baby, through blood transfusion, contaminated food, and even organ donations.

Where Kissing Bugs Hide

Kissing bugs can be found hiding in cracks and corners of your home. Typically, they come out at night and approach people while they are sleeping. If a bug bites and defecates on you while you are sleeping, it would be easy to accidentally rub feces into the bite or your eyes or mouth.

A girl in Delaware was recently bitten and the family believes the bug was hiding in the air conditioner in her window. Thankfully, the young girl did not fall ill.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To be diagnosed with Chagas, you have to have a blood test. Most people with the disease may have little-to-no idea that anything is wrong. Common symptoms are also associated with a number of other common diseases (body aches, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, loss of appetite, rash, and vomiting). Most people don’t even consider Chagas as a possibility.

Other symptoms that are more uncommon may include an enlarged liver or spleen, swollen glands, and swelling around the bite itself.

Chagas can be chronic and many people don’t have any of the symptoms above. However, it can be fatal if certain complications arise. Cardiac and gastrointestinal complications occur in 20 to 30 percent of people who have Chagas and can lead to death.

With early diagnosis, an antiparasitic treatment can kill Chagas. Those with chronic Chagas can also benefit from treatment. There is no drug or vaccine to ward off the disease though.

How to Avoid This Deadly Insect

Surprisingly, more than 300,000 people in the Americas have been infected by the kissing bug. Most infections that have been reported occurred in Latin American countries.

That isn’t to say folks in the U.S. are safe from the deadly insect or disease. There have been 11 sightings of kissing bugs in the States, mostly in the South.

When it comes down to it, folks living in the U.S. who aren’t traveling to Latin America are probably safe from contracting the disease. If you’re traveling, it is recommended you sleep indoors in a building without cracks. It is also a good idea to check any uncooked food and unpeeled fruits for the bug as well.

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Employee Wellness Programs Are Largely Ineffective, Says Study

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Employee workplace programs

Companies have implemented employee wellness programs for years to encourage workers to improve their health. A new study has found that employers may want to take a second look at what they are offering because, by in large, the programs have been ineffective.

How Effective Are Employee Wellness Programs?

The study was published in the Tuesday edition of JAMA. It took a look at 33,000 workers employed by BJ’s Wholesale, a wholesale retailer, which offers a wellness program for its employees.

What researchers found was that, although employees learned more about exercise and watched their weight, there were no significant health benefits seen. Blood pressure, blood sugar, and other health measures remained about the same across the board. There was also no real change in health care costs, which is the main goal of employee wellness programs.

“These findings may temper expectations about the financial return on investment that wellness programs can deliver in the short term,” the study concluded.

Are Wellness Programs a Waste?

Currently, more than 82 percent of companies that have 200 employees or more, offer some sort of wellness program or health program. These may include “Stop Smoking” programs or weight management programs as well.

Typically, these programs are offered with some sort of financial perk as well. For instance, some companies will offer a gift card for jumping on the wagon to lose weight. Others might discount your health insurance.

Executives are establishing these wellness programs to cut down on the overall cost in health care. However, if they are looking for a way to save these employee wellness programs aren’t the way to go. “Wellness is this multibillion-dollar industry where there has been a really weak evidence base of what these programs do,” Dr. Katherine Baicker, one of the study’s authors, said.

However, that isn’t to say they aren’t doing any good. Employee wellness programs do seem to encourage workers to make positive changes where their health is concerned. Down the road, employers may see overall lower medical expenses. Dr. Zirui Song, another author of the study, notes that wellness programs are still a fairly new concept.

Successful Wellness Programs

Workplace wellness programs will differ from company to company. Some employers have been able to establish better, more effective programs than others. Depending on what employers are looking to accomplish, they can be extremely successful.

If the employer is solely looking for savings on health care spending, it is not clear that wellness programs will be beneficial. On the other hand, if they are looking to encourage their employees to be happier and healthier, these wellness programs can be great.

Readers, does your workplace offer a wellness program? Do you take part in it? 

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Measles Cases Have Tripled Globally: What Are Anti-Vaxxers Costing You?

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Measles cases

You’ve seen it every day in the news recently. Anti-vaccination efforts have ramped up diseases that were otherwise eradicated and people are getting sick. In some cases, they are dying. Measles cases alone have tripled around the world in 2019.

Measles Cases Are Up 300% Worldwide

That’s right – the upward trend in measles cases isn’t just happening in the United States. It is happening all over the world in all regions. Africa saw the largest increase in cases with a 700 percent increase in the first three months of this year, compared to the first three months of 2018.

“Preliminary global data shows that reported cases rose by 300% in the first three months of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. This follows consecutive increases over the past two years,” the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement.

According to WHO, those numbers could also be drastically underplayed. Only one in 10 cases of measles are reported globally. However, the number of deaths and cases of illness continues to climb.

“While this data is provisional and not yet complete, it indicates a clear trend. Many countries are in the midst of sizeable measles outbreaks, with all regions of the world experiencing sustained rises in cases,” WHO stated.

The Rise in Measles Cases

This year, there have been 112,163 measles cases reported in 170 countries. At this time last year, there had only been 22,124 cases reported in 163 countries. And the numbers don’t stop there…

Since September, more than 800 people have died in Madagascar from measles alone. Outbreaks have hit a number of other underdeveloped countries, including Brazil, Pakistan, and Yemen, where a number of deaths have also occurred.

Even in places with high vaccination coverage, like the U.S. and Thailand, there has been an increased number of cases. WHO says this is because vaccination efforts have stalled at just 85 percent, falling short of what is needed. For vaccinations to prevent outbreaks, coverage needs to be at least 95 percent.

Some countries have rallied for the parents’ right to choose to vaccinate their children, ignoring the fact that a 95 percent vaccination rate is necessary for controlling outbreaks. Not only are anti-vax folks causing deaths, but they are also costing you some money.

How the Anti-Vax Movement is Affecting Your Wallet

When it comes to vaccines, not many people talk about the cost of anti-vaxxers to the economy. “It is extremely frustrating,” said John Wiesman, an epidemiologist. “To know the financial cost of this but also to know all the work that is not getting done, or getting backlogged.”

It isn’t unusual for an outbreak of preventable diseases, such as measles, to rack up a tall bill. For instance, a girl in 2005 caused an outbreak in Europe. To contain the outbreak, it cost more than $167,000. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that outbreak took 3,650 work hours, 4,800 phone calls, and 5,500 miles of trips to find and contain the outbreak.

Another case in 2008 caused an outbreak of measles in two Tucson hospitals. Officials estimate it took $800,000 to control that case.

Both YouTube and Facebook have decided to begin quieting the voices of the anti-vaccination movement. YouTube has removed advertising from anti-vax videos, while Facebook has begun removing anti-vaccination groups and communities from its platform.

When it comes down to it, there is no debate to be had about the profound benefits of vaccines. More than 20 million lives have been saved from the measles vaccine alone since 2000. While some hesitation is understandable, lives are being put at risk and it is costing you cold, hard cash.

Readers, what do you think about the spike in measles cases? Is it something to be concerned about?

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How DNA Tests Can Help You Save On Future Health Costs

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When you think about saving money, you probably don’t reflect on increasing your level of fitness and improving your diet. After all, wealth and health appear to be different topics.  But if you reflect on the rising cost of healthcare, you’ll quickly realize the two are intimately connected. The healthier you are, the less you’ll spend on medical bills.

So, how do you begin to exercise more and eat better?

Here is a four-step plan to contemplate, prepare, take action, and maintain fitness and nutrition:

Step #1: Contemplation

Before you can take any type of constructive action to change your life for the better, you need to understand what you want to change, why you want to change it, and how to go about making changes.

What to Change:

You’ll improve your health when you start eating healthier, exercising regularly, and sleeping better at night.

Why Change:

When you eat healthier, you’ll have more energy, improve your health, and lower your risk for serious health problems. Besides raising your own self-esteem, you’ll also set an example for your friends and family. From a financial perspective, you’ll avoid expensive medical costs and have the energy to be more productive at work.

When you perform regular exercise, you’ll get more flexible, reduce aches and pains, develop stamina, and get stronger. You’ll also look and feel great as you build muscle and burn fat.

When you improve the quality of your sleep, getting at least 8 hours of deep rest every night, you’ll be happier and more energetic during the day. You’ll also learn things faster and easier and make better decisions.

How to Change:

Research the best foods to eat. Read books on diet and nutrition or make an appointment to visit a nutritionist. You could also take a DNA test for nutrition. According to an article in Your DNA, genetic testing will help you eliminate a lot of the guesswork about what foods you should eat.

Also, research the best exercises for your body type. If you don’t want to read books about the different types of exercises you can do at home or the sports you could pursue, consider joining a gym, where you can either work with a personal trainer or join a class and follow an instructor.

Step #2: Preparation

Once you’ve understood what you need to do, take the necessary steps to set things up. You may, for example, need to toss out all the junk food in your refrigerator and pantry and go to the grocery store to buy healthy foods, or go to the mall for clothes, or go to a sport’s store to buy exercise equipment, or go to a gym to sign up for membership. You may also need to rearrange your schedule to give yourself enough time to eat properly, exercise regularly, and get enough rest at nights.

Step #3: Taking Action

Once you’ve prepared for your new fitness and nutrition regime, the next step is to follow through on your intentions. Avoid overthinking and overpreparing. It’s now time to leap into action.

Step #4: Maintenance

Life can get in the way of your best plans. Circumstances at home or work may conspire to stop you from eating healthy, sticking with your exercise routine, or getting enough sleep at night.  Maintain your resolution to improve your health by returning to your diet and exercise plans and sleep schedule as soon as you have taken care of the interruption or crisis.

Pause to reflect on what it will mean to the quality of your life and the health of your pocketbook if you adopt this four-step plan. You’ll spend less money on unhealthy foods, avoid serious health issues like obesity, and improve your earning capacity by having the energy to work more.

You Are Probably Applying Sunscreen Wrong

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Applying sunscreen wrong

You are probably applying sunscreen wrong and you didn’t even know it. New research took a look at how people apply sunscreen and found most people are either missing their faces entirely or forgetting one crucial part.

How You Are Applying Sunscreen Wrong

Scientists at the University of Liverpool conducted a study involving 84 participants. The researchers wanted to see specifically how people were applying SPF to their faces. What they found was that most people were applying sunscreen and SPF moisturizers incorrectly.

Each of the participants was told to apply sunscreen and SPF moisturizers as they normally would. Afterward, they were exposed to UV radiation and had photos taken with a UV-sensitive camera.

While most participants felt they applied sunscreen correctly, they missed a crucial part: their eyelids (and sometimes their face entirely). The comparison between sunscreen and SPF moisturizer, according to the study, revealed participants missed greater areas when they applied moisturizer.

“People were applying cream (and) going out in the sun thinking they were protected,” Austin McCormick, one of the study’s authors, said. “And yet one of the most vulnerable areas was left unprotected.”

Eleven percent of participants missed their entire face when applying sunscreen. Nearly 17 percent missed their face using the moisturizer. Of those using moisturizer, 21 percent missed their eyelids, a crucial and commonly missed area of the face.

How You SHOULD Apply Sunscreen

These findings are especially important because the face (and eyelids) are high-risk areas for skin cancer. Some sun exposure is good for you but, if you are applying SPF, you are probably spending an extended period of time outdoors. So, it is important to know how to correctly apply the product.

  1. Most adults need one ounce of sunscreen to completely cover their body. That’s about enough to fill a shot glass.
  2. Be sure you rub the sunscreen into your skin thoroughly (you really shouldn’t still see white marks).
  3. Apply your sunscreen to all bare parts of your skin. Don’t forget areas like your eyelids, ears, top of your feet and hands, and the back of your neck.
  4. Put sunscreen on 30 minutes before you plan on heading out.
  5. Re-apply the same amount of sunscreen every two hours while you’re in the sun.

It is also recommended you use UV-filtered sunglasses, hats, and other items to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays.

If you are concerned about your skin’s health, watch out for changes in your skin. Anyone who notices a bump or lesion around their eyelids should be examined by a doctor. Skin cancer is usually detected late because many patients aren’t looking at their eyelids and other prone areas. However, if you take note of the guidelines above, you’ll seriously reduce your risk!

If you’re wondering about what sunscreen brand is best for your needs, check out our article “What’s the Best Sunscreen for the Summer?“

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5 Benefits to Look For This National Employee Benefits Day

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national employee benefits dayToday is National Employee Benefits Day — a day to recognize everything professionals do for the workforce and take a closer look at the benefits available ro today’s worker.

In most cases, employees only pay attention to their benefits when they make plan selections or change jobs. But, understanding what is out there is always beneficial. With that in mind, here are five benefits everyone should look for, either in your current job or the next one.

1. Medical and Prescriptions

In most cases, medical and prescription benefits go hand in hand. These plans not only help you control the cost of your healthcare needs, but they can also protect you against financial disaster.

Medical bills are one of the leading reasons for bankruptcy, so having sufficient coverage is a must.

2. Dental Coverage

While these don’t inherently go together, they are usually additional benefits beyond medical and prescription, even if they fall into a similar category.

Although there are ways to get free dental care, it doesn’t usually cover everything. The cost of dental care can be significant without insurance, so many people choose to skip treatments they can’t afford. Dental insurance helps offset these expenses, making your care more affordable. Ultimately, your oral health is important, so finding a job with dental benefits is always a smart move.

3. Vision Benefits

The same goes for vision plans. Whether you currently need corrective eyewear or not, neglecting your vision can have serious consequences. Without insurance, the cost of appointments, glasses, and contacts can add up fast. Plus, numerous conditions can affect the eyes, so you need to keep up with your exams.

Vision insurance makes it easier to stay on top of your overall health, so seek out these benefits when possible.

4. Retirement Plans

Saving for retirement is a must. If your employer offers a retirement plan, then keeping up with this form of savings is a breeze. Usually, you can have the monthly payment taken straight out of your paycheck. And, in some cases, you can get additional funds from an employer match.

Having an employer provide you with a retirement plan can be significantly more convenient than setting up one yourself. Plus, you’ll be much less likely to ignore your retirement savings, ensuring a more stable financial future.

5. Paid Time Off

Everyone has obligations outside of the workplace, and most people experience occasional illness. But, without paid time off, they can be hard to manage. You might struggle to make doctor’s appointments, handle the needs of your children, or simply to recover after getting sick if you can’t get away from work. But, with suitable leave, you can take the time you need without having to sacrifice anything from your paycheck.

What National Employee Benefits Day Is All About

Ultimately, National Employee Benefits Day is a great time to review what you have or what you want from your job. Not every company offers the same benefits, so look closely at their programs to ensure you get everything you need.

Which kinds of employee benefits do you value the most, readers?

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