My child has lice. But what does that mean for the rest of the family? What do we need to do? How long does it last? Help!
First and foremost, your child needs to get treated for lice. As for the other people in the house, they need to be examined to see if they also have an active infection. General recommendations include washing clothing and linens used by the infested child if they have been used within the two days prior to starting treatment. They need to be washed in hot water and dried on a high heat cycle. For things that can’t be washed, they should be dry cleaned or stored in a sealed plastic bag for up to two weeks. The risk of transmission of lice from carpet or furniture is low but you can vacuum these things if you would like. It is very unlikely that a louse will still be alive after being off the scalp for 48 hours. Most topical treatments are designed to only require one application for adequate treatment and are repeated only if there are still live lice seen seven to 10 days later.
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What can you tell me about the HPV vaccination? What age do you have to be? What if you’re older, do you ignore it?
This is a great question! Especially because there have been some changes with the HPV vaccine recommendations within the last year. HPV stands for human papillomavirus and it is a very common virus. About 1 in 4 people in the United States has HPV. Most HPV infections, about 90 percent, resolve on their own within two years. But, the problems can arise when the infections last longer because infections with certain subtypes of HPV can cause genital warts and cancers. In women, it can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina and vulva. In men, penile cancers can occur because of HPV. And in both men and women, cancers of the anus, throat, tongue and tonsils can be seen due to HPV. Of the approximately 30,700 cancers due to HPV that are diagnosed each year in the United States, about 28,000 of them could be prevented by vaccination.
Now that the reason for vaccination is a little clearer, let’s go over the recommendations. For children who are 11 or 12 years old, it is recommended that they get the two shot HPV vaccination series, with each dose being given 6-12 months apart. If your child is 14 years old or over, he or she will need to get the three-shot vaccine series given over six months. The HPV vaccine is recommended for women through age 26 and men through age 21. The earliest you can start the HPV vaccine series for your child is age 9. If you have additional questions or concerns about the vaccine, you should talk with your doctor. There is also a lot of great information on the CDC website about every vaccine that is recommended for children and adults.
Are sandals bad for your feet? How long should they be worn?
Generally speaking, sandals are OK footwear for most people. As with most things, depending on your individual feet, activity level, etc., there are going to be certain types that will probably work better for you. All types of shoes will eventually wear out. A good rule of thumb for all shoes is that if they are starting to hurt your feet, cause callouses or skin breakdown, it’s time to trade them in for a different pair. If you have specific questions about your footwear and what would work best for your body type, mobility issues or activity level, you should speak with your doctor or a podiatrist.
I’m having trouble seeing at night. What could the problem be?
There are many things that could be contributing to or causing an issue like this. The most common of these includes things like glaucoma, eye complications of diabetes, vitamin deficiencies and a general worsening of your vision. A good first step is to be sure you’ve seen the eye doctor for an exam and make sure you don’t simply need a new glasses or contact prescription. If you are diabetic, be sure you are up to date on your screening retinopathy exam. Diabetics need to have a dilated eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once a year. If your eye doctor does not find anything to explain this issue, and the problem persists, you should make an appointment to see your doctor for further evaluation.
If I had chicken pox as a child, do I need a shingles shot as an adult?
Whether you have had chicken pox, you need to get the shingles vaccine. The shingles vaccine is recommended for all adults. Zostavax is the original shingles vaccine and has been used since 2006. Zostavax is given as a one-time injection and is recommended for ages 60 and over. The FDA approved a new shingles vaccine, Shingrix, in 2017. Shingrix is now the preferred vaccine as studies have shown better protection from shingles and the most common complication of shingles, known as postherpetic neuralgia. Shingrix is recommended for adults age 50 and older and is given as a two-dose series with the second shot being given two to six months after the first one. There is no maximum age for getting the shingles vaccine. Even if you have had shingles, you can get the shingles vaccine. If you get shingles after you are vaccinated, the severity of the shingles is typically lessened. As with any vaccine, there are certain medical conditions that affect recommendations for or against vaccination. Always speak with your doctor about any vaccines you are getting. And again, the CDC website has a wealth of information about all vaccines that are recommended.
