Monkeypox: How Dangerous is it?

Monkeypox: How Dangerous is it?

by | Sep 10, 2022 | Uncategorized

The new scourge to hit may be Monkeypox, but how dangerous is it? Recall that a plethora of viruses and bacteria are found throughout the earth; most do not cause disease. Monkeypox belongs in the family of viruses like Cowpox and Smallpox which were certainly much more deadly! 

Primarily it’s been infecting people in Nigeria and the Congo. Due to international travel, an outbreak occurred within a gay community of homosexual men in England and is now spreading to other countries. In June 1, 2022 there were minimal cases in the US. Currently there are 21,000 in the US with 0 deaths and 56,600 cases globally. 

It’s spread by direct contact with the lesions of an infected person, droplets exhaled or contact from infected drainage on materials such as linens.

COVID was much more contagious as the virus droplets were much smaller, airborne and could linger in the air for hours. Monkeypox droplets are heavier and fall to the floor. Close contact is needed to acquire the disease.

Common symptoms are chills (from fever), headache, back and joint pain, weakness, sore throat, other respiratory symptoms, itching and pain from the pox lesions.

The incubation period is 6 to 13 days from exposure. The rash appears 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. The rash begins as a raised reddened area much like a pimple. Over time it opens…drains, forms a scab and falls off.

The CDC recommends isolation from other people and pets (can also spread the disease) “from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.” This may take between 2 and 4 weeks.

Children and unborn babies are at the greatest risk as they haven’t built immunity strong enough to fight it. However, most cases are currently in gay men.

In 1980 the World Health Organization stated that the deadly Smallpox disease had been irradicated. While the Smallpox vaccination program ended in the  US in 1971, it does provide some protection for those who were vaccinated. It is currently the vaccine being used to treat highly at-risk populations where Monkeypox is spreading.

The good news is that Monkeypox is a much milder disease than Smallpox, but it is spreading. Governments all over the world have stockpiled the Smallpox vaccine in case of a bioterrorism event. Time will tell if it will be utilized for Monkeypox.

A great place to go for current information that you can trust is from Dr. John Campbell at https://www.youtube.com/c/Campbellteaching/videos. The CDC has good information as well.

When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them. Luke 4:40

Source:

–CDC, Monkeypox, https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/about/faq.html#Basics

–CDC,  2022 Monkeypox Outbreak and Cases,  https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/index.html

–Dr. John Campbell, videos https://www.youtube.com/c/Campbellteaching/videos

–CDC Smallpox https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/

–C. Henry Kempe, “The End of Routine Smallpox Vaccination in the United States” (1972), https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/49/4/489/47117/THE-END-OF-ROUTINE-SMALLPOX-VACCINATION-IN-THE?redirectedFrom=fulltext

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ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of new book: Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ

Is the Pandemic Finally Over?

Is the Pandemic Finally Over?

by | Aug 7, 2022 | COVID-19 Top Ten

I apologize for not posting a July blog, but our family finally became ill with Covid (BA5 variant). It’s such a blessing that this variant is passing over all of us. Whether you’re vaccinated or not…you’ll probably get this milder COVID too. However, it’s a tremendous gift from God that is finally ending this 100-year pandemic by leaving powerful natural immunity in its wake.

I was asked recently “Will this ever end? We’ll just keep seeing one variant come after another.” It helps to understand the trajectory of corona viruses to understand why I’m so thankful.

First, there are many different types of viruses as there are bacteria. The common cold is a corona virus. Experts disagree whether the corona virus that caused COVID was altered in a lab or came from the natural world.

Once here it began to mutate or change. So far there have been 4 major changes: Wuhan—then Alpha—then Delta—then Omicron with 5 alterations. The Omicron BA5 is the most recent. Each change became less virulent yet more infective.

The Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines were designed to slow down virus replication from the first strain. They are less effective with the Omicron strains which explains why so many people are getting it despite being vaccinated.

You can tell which type of strain you received by a lab test or the date when you were infected. Currently, the CDC reports that 84% of COVID in the US is from the Omicron BA5 variant.

We were sick for 2 weeks with an overall unpleasant symptomology. My brother and I had a lingering cough while my husband had GI upset symptoms. The whole thing was annoying but certainly not as bad as it would have been with those initial outbreaks.

So be hopeful… Jesus has His healing hand upon us. It looks to me like so many of us are now getting it that we’ve reached herd immunity and life is returning to normal.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. Psalm 30:2

In the next blog I’ll tackle the Monkey Pox virus.

Source: –“Monitoring Variant Proportions,” CDC, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions.

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ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of new book: Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ

The Battle of the Bulge

The Battle of the Bulge

by | Jun 4, 2022 | Uncategorized

Recall that studies completed all over the world have shown that 80% of all heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if people ate a healthier diet, managed a healthier weight, increased physical activity, quit smoking, controlled blood pressure, glucose and LDL (bad) cholesterol. This month I will write about successful weight management.

National statistics indicate that 73.6% of Americans are overweight while 41.9% of those are considered obese. Each year those numbers have been increasing to dangerous levels. Part of the problem is that restaurant portion sizes have increased dramatically along with waistlines. It’s estimated that one entrée is enough food for 2 or 3 people.

Many of us struggle with weight loss. We lose a few pounds for a short amount of time only to regain them. So, what works? Psychologist Brian Wansink PhD in his excellent book, Mindless Eating describes the simple strategies that are the most helpful. His famous quote is, “The best diet is the one that you don’t know you’re on.” I couldn’t agree more. I tell my patients, “Diet is a four-letter word!” Simple lifestyle changes do make a huge difference. The following top 10 tips are a combination taken from Dr. Wansink’s book and mine (Wake Up Call 911).

#10  Replace high caloric drinks with sparkling water and avoid artificial sweeteners.

#9    Remember that restaurant entrees are generally enough food to feed 2 to 3 people.

#8    When you’re hungry eat a palm size of nuts to stabilize your blood sugar.

#7    Use a smaller plate which will make you feel fuller and more satisfied to eat less.

#6    Fill your plate with more fruits and vegetables.

#5    Add protein to every meal.

#4    Eat regular smaller meals.

#3    Keep junk food out of sight and better still out of the house!

#2    Don’t get discouraged if you have a bad day. Eat better the next.

And the #1 most important thing to remember when managing a healthy weight is…

Food is a gift from God. It’s meant to be enjoyed. Don’t deny yourself but eat very small amounts of high caloric sweets occasionally not daily. Life is filled with challenges. We all have them. Just take it one day at a time and pray for patience.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

In the next blog I’ll tackle exercise.

Sources:

“Simple 7”, American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/en/professional/workplace-health/lifes-simple-7.

Johnson, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015).

–Arthur O’Connor, Study Details 30-Year Increase in Calorie Consumption (2004),  https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/06/us/study-details-30-year-increase-in-calorie-consumption.html.

–Brian Wansink, Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Thank We Think (2007).

–Overweight and Obesity Facts, CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity-overweight.htm.

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of new book: Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Heart

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Heart

by | May 5, 2022 | Uncategorized

Recall (from last month) that studies completed all over the world have shown that 80% of all heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if people did 5 things (also known as the Simple 7): ate a healthier diet, increased physical activity, managed a healthier weight, quit smoking and controlled blood pressure, glucose and LDL (bad) cholesterol.

In this blog I’ll talk about healthier eating. It can be overwhelming, and advice abounds. You’ve probably struggled with a healthier diet for years and are now discouraged about what you’re supposed to do. The following tips may help.

Keep it simple…

  • Add fruits and vegetables to your diet whenever and wherever you can. The natural chemicals provide invaluable health benefits. I heard a doctor once say that the cure for cancer is in them… we just don’t know where to find it and the more colorful the better. If you’re a diabetic do check with your dietitian regarding fruit intake and blood glucose.
  • Eat lean meat the size of a deck of cards no more than twice a day. Keto diets are popular right now and I would work with your physician if you chose this eating plan. For most of us high protein diets are much too restrictive                                  
  • Chose dairy products low in fat.
  • Eat whole grain breads high in fiber.
  • Use olive oil and canola oil for cooking and baking.
  • Avoid processed food –  If it comes in a box, jar or can it’s probably not good for you.
  • Use a smaller plate which will reduce your portion size. You’ll feel fuller psychologically.
  • Eat a handful or palm size of nuts between meals when hunger strikes.
  • Keep hydrated with a glass of ice water or sparkling water (without sweeteners) handy.
  • Keep snacks out of reach or out of your house to promote success.

God bless you on your journey toward better heart health.Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 1st Corinthians 10:31

Sources:

“Simple 7”, American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/en/professional/workplace-health/lifes-simple-7.

Johnson, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015).

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of new book: Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

The Top 5 Things to Do to Prevent 80% of Heart Attacks and Strokes

The Top 5 Things to Do to Prevent 80% of Heart Attacks and Strokes

by | Apr 2, 2022 | Uncategorized

April 2, 2022, Jennie Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Living for a Healthy Heart, LLC

Studies completed all over the world have shown that 80% of all heart attacks and strokes could be prevented if people did 5 things (also known as the Simple 7):

  1. Ate a healthier diet.
  2. Increased physical activity.
  3. Managed a healthier weight.
  4. Quit smoking.
  5. Controlled blood pressure, glucose and LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Great, now that we know what to do…why don’t we do it? Psychologists have taught us a great deal about motivation. World renowned expert Dr. James Prochaska found that only 20% of us have enough motivation to really change a harmful behavior. 

In his book, Changing for Good, he stated that 80% of us are stuck in a non-action stage. The stages range from someone not interested in changing (Denial), thinking about it (Precontemplation), trying the change with small baby steps (Preparation) to doing it (Action) and maintaining it (Maintenance).

Further, complicating the problem is that most well-meaning advice from healthcare providers only work for the 20% in the action stage. What do the rest of us 80% do? The answer is to start with small, doable, little baby steps that we can do.

  • If you’re inactive…take a walk 5 or 10 minutes away from your house while listening to music.
  • Add an apple or orange to your diet each day.
  • Use a smaller dinner plate. You’ll feel psychologically fuller.

In the next blogs I’ll tackle each of these 7 things with simple strategies to consider reducing your risk for a longer healthier life.

Source:

“Simple 7”, American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/en/professional/workplace-health/lifes-simple-7.

Prochaska, J. Norcross & C. Diclemente, (1994) Changing for Good.

Johnson, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015).

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t…you’re right. Henry Ford

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD