HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-03-12, Page 23Mumps is back - are you and your
children protected? Anyone born
between 1970 and 1991 could be at
risk of getting the mumps. Mumps
is a very contagious disease that can
cause serious complications.
People born before 1970 were
given one dose and have acquired
natural immunity. Children born
after 1991 were given two doses of
the vaccine and are considered
immune to mumps. Those born
between 1970 and 1991 need a
second booster dose of the vaccine
to be fully protected against the
disease.
The vaccine is available free at
your doctor’s office or the Huron
County Health Unit.
The Huron County Health Unit is
strongly recommending everyone in
the 18 - 39 year age group get the
mumps catch-up vaccination. Public
Health Nurse Michelle Carter says
they are especially encouraging
young adults attending post
secondary schools who may have
received only one dose of measles,
mumps, rubella, (MMR) as young
children to get a booster dose of
MMR vaccine.
“Students spend time in close
environments, which can increase
the spread of infection. That’s why
we particularly want this age group
to get vaccinated.”
In the last few years, several
mumps outbreaks have occurred
mainly at universities and colleges
in four provinces in Canada.
Carter says they are also
encouraging health care workers to
get an MMR booster. She says
anyone who works in hospitals,
medical centres and emergency
medical services are in high risk
environments for exposure to
mumps.
Mumps spreads through direct
contact with saliva from an infected
person. Droplets from coughs or
sneezes can enter the nose or mouth.
Infection can also result from
kissing, or by sharing food or
beverages.
The virus can also survive on
surfaces. Touching a surface
contaminated by the mumps virus
and then touching your nose or
mouth can cause infection.
Mumps is a virus that can cause
fever, headaches, muscle aches and
fatigue, followed by swelling and
pain in one or more salivary glands.
Most people recover from their
illness but the infection can result in
complications that include
infections of the brain, the lining of
the brain (meningitis), the ovaries,
breasts or pancreas. Deafness can be
a rare complication.
One in three men infected with
mumps, develops an infection in
their testicles. Though very rare,
these infections can result in
infertility. Pregnant women who get
mumps during the first trimester are
also at increased risk of miscarriage.
To remove risk of transmitting the
mumps, isolation for nine days is
required.
The Ministry of Health and Long-
Term Care is launching a province-
wide Mumps Campus Tour of
universities and colleges in January,
February and March.
For a complete schedule of the
campus clinics or more information
on mumps, visit
www.ontario.ca/mumps
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2009. PAGE 23. By Nadine VandenHeuvelWellness for Seniors co-ordinatorTown and Country SupportServicesWhat is all the talk about theoverused health promoting term
called “wellness”? In fact, the term
has been around for some time but
what does it actually mean?
It is a word that describes health in
terms of a balance between six
different areas – in other words
having a balance in your life while
being actively engaged in different
activities.
So why a shift to the wellness
approach rather than our standard
health care ways? This can be
summed up quite easily: “Keeping
well is easier then getting well!”
People of all ages are encouraged
to take the wellness approach. It is a
preventative approach that works to
reduce high health care costs, and
since we have an aging population it
is important to keep older adults
healthy and educate them on the
benefits of a healthy lifestyle and
how it can make them feel.
Personal wellness is more than
taking part in physical activity – it
involves your general health and
well being.
There are six areas that define
personal wellness: physical,
emotional, social, spiritual,
intellectual, and vocational.
Physical: focuses on strengthening
muscles and works on cardio
endurance. An example is fitness
classes and learning about nutrition
as well as weight control.
Emotional: focuses on
understanding and managing your
feelings, how positive you feel aboutlife and yourself and how you dealwith such things as stress. Someways to work on your emotionaldimension can be to express yourfeelings, control stress, problem
solve, and have some optimism in
life.
Social: How you create and
maintain healthy relationships—
whether with your family, friends,
community and others. You can
work on your social dimension by
talking, sharing interests, join
groups and programs, respect others
and have a strong interaction with
others and the environment around
you—avoid isolation!
Spiritual: Seeking your meaning
and purpose in your life. What
makes you tick? This may be
religion but it may be something
else, whatever it is make sure you
have a strong sense of personal
values and an appreciation for it.
How can you work on this
dimension? Do whatever you need
to do, think about your meaning and
purpose in life. Meditate, pray and
contemplate life, think about your
morals and ethics. This is a tough
dimension, but whatever allows you
to have that ‘personal peace’may be
a good starting point.
Intellectual (thinking): This is
where your wheels need to spin in
that brain of yours. It promotes the
use of your mind in order to think
creatively, expand your knowledge
and your skills. Some people’s
intellectual dimension may just
involve reading this column,
whereas others need more.
Everyone is different, some things
such as exploring new areas,
following directions, recalling
things, thinking creatively. Try just
picking up that word search or that
Sudoku, those brain games are an
excellent resource for the
intellectual dimension!
Vocational or Occupational:While
most older adults are happily retired,
this area can sum up your
occupational interests, things that
interest you, such as hobbies,
volunteer duties, and other jobs thatyou currently do to stay productive.So now that you understand thedifferent areas that make upwellness, remember it is never toolate to start. Individuals who are ill,
disabled, or relatively healthy can
start to make a more balanced
lifestyle by having a positive healthy
perspective. Attempt to achieve one
area and work from there. It is
amazing how many activities can
cover a few of these areas at once
though—which is always nice!
Remember it is never too late to
start, so if you catch anything—I
hope you catch the “wellness bug”
– Nadine VandenHeuvel is the
Wellness for Seniors Coordinator at
Town and Country Support Services.
Cooling it
Carson MacLeod, 5 1/2, was out for breakfast at the
Auburn Hall this past Sunday morning. The meal was
served by the local Lions, who also used the event to
present the winner of the weekly hockey draw, Jason
MacLeod with his cheque. (Vicky Bremner photo)
HU warns mumps not
just for kids anymore
Catch the wellness bug
Gary & Mary Schultz
and Albert Wubs
and Karen & Stephen Cook
are happy to announce
the upcoming wedding
of their children
Sonya Naomi Schultz
&
Timothy John Wubs
to be held on
Saturday, March 14, 2009
After the success of the Exposure
08 show, the Goderich Co-op
Gallery has announced the second
chance for closet and emerging
artists to exhibit their work in a
prominent space during the month
of April.
For the full month of April, space
will be set aside for the work of up-
and-coming artists. This work, in
any media, including photography,
will be show at the gallery. It may be
for sale, or not as the creator wishes.
Wall art should be ready to hang. An
entry fee of $10 is charged for the
first piece of art, with additional art
costing $5 up to a limit of five
pieces of work.
“Whether you have been painting
for 30 years or just six months, your
work will have it’s own distinctive
character,” declared Madeleine
Roske, one of the gallery’s founding
members. “We are always eager to
see the work of artists at all levels,”
she continued. “So often beginning
art has an intense vitality and
originality well worth being
“Exposed”.
The Goderich Co-op Gallery
offers this opportunity to creators of
original work only – no kits please,
in all media. The work will be
accepted at the gallery during the
month of March, until March 28.
The work will be hung at the gallery
and the show formally opened on
Saturday, April 4 at the 2 p.m. by
local dignitaries and Jerry
McDonnell.
Entry forms are available at the
gallery or at the website:
www.gcgallery.ca
Exposure
for new
artists
Saturday, March 14
8 pm - 1 am
BMG Community Centre
Brussels
Age of Majority
Lunch Provided
Tickets at Door