Taking the "OWW" Out of Mosquitoes

Have you ever felt like this?

(Reader's Digest explains 10 Weird Reasons You're Getting Bitten.)

The best ways to protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases is through prevention! Learn more about the Most Common Illnesses You Get From Mosquito Bites with WebMD. Worried about Zika? Check out the Centers for Disease Control's Zika Virus Disease in the US (statistics by state).

- Get rid of standing water to limit mosquito breeding grounds. Moving water or chlorinated pools are less attractive to mosquitoes. Learn more about the Mosquito at Nat Geo.
- Stay inside when possible. If using windows screens, make sure they are in good condition. Despite common thought, mosquitoes can bite at any time of day.
- Use insect repellent when going outside. Light colored long-sleeve & loose pants offer extra protection. Check out NPR's What's the Best Way to Stop Mosquitoes From Biting? to find out what researchers use.

Unfortunately, even our best efforts may not be perfect... So, here's what you can do after the bite.
- Women's Health's 9 Genius Ways to Relieve Bug Bites
- Huffington Post's 14 Natural Ways to Ease the Itch

Free Over-The-Counter Medication Giveaway Today!

NC MedAssist will be in Henderson TODAY (May 18^th) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity Annex Building (155 W. Andrews Ave). This is a great opportunity to stock up on FREE pain & allergy meds; bandaids; vitamins; cold & cough syrup for adults & children; etc.!
 
NC MedAssist also offers help with prescription medicines for low-income or uninsured people in around the state. Click the above link to access their website.

Over-the-counter medications can improve a wide range of health symptoms. However, always:
- follow the label's directions. When taken inappropriately, they can be useless or even harmful.
- keep all medicines out of children's reach to prevent accidental poisoning.

Medications can also interact with each other. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if taking prescription or other over-the-counter products. Learn more at Family Doctor's OTC Meds: Know Your Risks & Reduce Them.

Be Smart About Food Safety

Foodborne illnesses seem to dominate the news these days. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from foodborne illness every year. Although it will cause discomfort, most people are fortunately able to recover.

However, there are many easy things that we can do to keep ourselves safer including Fight Bac's The Four Core Practices:
- Clean hands & surfaces often.
- Separate raw proteins from fresh produce.
- Cook to recommended temperatures.
- Chill to recommended temperatures.

To help prevent public outbreaks, Granville Vance Public Health (GVPH) staff perform unannounced inspections of restaurant, food stands, school cafeterias, etc. In case of a local situation, staff would also assist in the investigation, education, & remediation.

For more info, check out:
- Centers for Disease Control's Food Safety
- US News' New Produce Safety Rules Aim to Prevent Illness Outbreaks
- WebMD's 20 Food Poisoning Dangers, Common & Uncommon

How Much is Too Much TV?

Americans watch an average of around 3 to 5 hours of television per day (varies by source... although some sources report even higher amounts). Although most of us have a TV in our home, we can also watch shows on our laptops, tablets, & phones. As such, shows are now available day & night.

Excessive television often limits physical activity & encourages mindless eating. Both can contribute to weight gain. Even young children are now routinely being treated for a range of screen related ailments including joint pain, chronic health issues, etc.

Limited amounts of TV can fit into a healthy lifestyle.
- Watch only the shows that are most important to you. Or, choose shows that challenge your brain.
- Be physically active during commercial breaks. Standing or sitting on an exercise (swiss) ball can also be beneficial.
- If you eat while watching TV, control portion size.
- Don't skimp on sleep just to watch TV. Since the blue light can disrupt sleep quality, avoid watching around bedtime.


Learn more at:
- WebMD's Too Much TV Linked to Leading Causes of Death
- Yahoo Beauty's You Can Lower Your Odds of Becoming Obese by Doing This One Easy Thing
- Huffington Post's 100 Things to do During Screen-Free Week
- The Simple Dollar's Why You Should Stop Watching TV & What to Replace it With

TV & Children
- University of Michigan Health System's A Guide to Managing Television: Tips for Your Family
- NY Times Well's Screen Addiction is Taking a Toll on Children
- Eat Smart Move More's Tame The Tube- Pregnancy.org's 13 Substitutes for TV
- Babycenter's Prime Time Fun: Alternatives to TV