Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
The consumer products company Kimberly-Clark is recalling 1,400 boxes of Kotex tampons amid fears that the tampons could be contaminated with a potentially life-threatening bacteria.
The Food and Drug Administration published details of the recall, which applies to the Kotex Natural Balance* Security® Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency:
The tampons were manufactured with a raw material contaminated with a bacterium, Enterobacter sakazakii, which may cause health risks, including vaginal infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic inflammatory disease or infections that can be life-threatening. Women with serious existing illnesses, cancer or immune-compromised conditions, such as HIV, are at increased risk. There is limited evidence of transfer between individuals with this bacterium.
If you are concerned your tampons may be among the recalled boxes, check the FDA website for a complete list of lot numbers and SKU codes. The Kotex website also has a list of stores that were most likely to carry the contaminated tampons.
(image via: http://www.kotex.com/)
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
Listeria, the gastrointestinal bacteria that is of particular danger to pregnant women, has been documented in Colorado, Texas, and Nebraska, leading health officials to declare an “outbreak” and warn at-risk individuals to take precautions. Two patients in Colorado died from the infection.
The outbreak, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, can be traced to tainted cantaloupe melons. Though the bacteria is most often spread through unpasteurized soft cheeses, refrigerated smoked seafood, and deli meats, officials urge pregnant women, people over 60, and those with compromised immune systems to avoid eating cantaloupe as well as those other foods until the source of the contamination can be determined. Officials note that deli meat can be safely consumed by pregnant women if it is reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pregnant women who contract listeria are at risk for convulsions, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
An infection called babesiosis, which is carried by the same deer ticks that spread Lyme disease, is on the rise in the coastal Northeast. The infection can be fatal, particularly in infants and those over 50.
In addition to being concerned about tick bites spreading the disease, public health officials are looking for ways to keep the blood supply safe so the infection is not spread by transfusion. The New York Times reports that a blood center in Rhode Island has become the first to use an experimental test to screen blood for the infection, following several infant deaths in the state in the past decade.
The New York Times article outlines what parents and the general public needs to know about babesiosis:
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were six cases of babesiosis in the Lower Hudson Valley in 2001 and 119 cases in 2008, a 20-fold increase. In areas where Lyme disease is endemic, like coastal Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Long Island, babesiosis also is becoming very common, said Dr. Peter Krause, senior research scientist at the Yale School of Public Health.
In one study of residents of Block Island, R.I., Dr. Krause found babesiosis to be just 25 percent less common than Lyme disease. Babesiosis also is spreading slowly into other regions where it did not exist before, like the Upper Midwest, said Dr. Krause….
The symptoms can be vague (there is no tell-tale rash as there may be with Lyme disease) and include fever, sweats, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches and pains. In people who also have Lyme disease, doctors might suspect babesiosis if the symptoms are particularly severe or the antibiotics are not working, said Dr. Krause. A diagnosis can be confirmed through blood testing….
If not caught and treated early, babesiosis can lead to such complications as kidney, lung or heart failure. The infection can be treated with antimicrobial medications, but people with serious complications are less responsive to the drugs.
Read more on Parents.com about Lyme disease, and how to tick-proof your yard.
