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A Case of the Measles Reported in Rockport

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Did you know?  A case of the measles was reported in Rockport – According to the Public Health Department, a visitor in Rockport turned out to have a case of the measles. They were said to have visited various places in Boston and Cambridge May 1st and on May 3rd, they visited The Pewter Shop and Sea Star Gift Shop, and Brothers’ Brew Coffee Shop. The Boston Globe reported, “On May 4, the tourist was back in Boston, at the Star Market in Copley Square and shopping along Newbury Street. By May 5 through Sunday, the visitor was at Massachusetts General Hospital. Health officials said patients and visitors at the hospital who may have been exposed will be notified by hospital administrators. Nespresso’s cafe on Newbury Street was closed yesterday by the public health department, scheduled to reopen today.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC,) the symptoms of measles generally occur 7 – 14 days after exposure. Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC,) in 2000, measles was declared eliminated from the U.S., “the annual number of cases has ranged from a low of 37 in 2004 to a high of 667 in 2014. The majority of cases have been among people who are not vaccinated against measles. Measles cases in the United States occur as a result of importations by people who were infected while in other countries and from transmission that may occur from those importations. Measles is more likely to spread and cause outbreaks in U.S. communities where groups of people are unvaccinated.”
 See the ‘Fact sheet’ on Measles from the MA Public Health.
Symptoms of Measles – Symptoms generally appear 7 – 14 days after exposure.
  • High fever
  • Cough
  • Runny Nose
  • Watery Eyes

Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth as an early sign of measles infection.

Image of Koplik spots

Koplik spots

Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash breaks out.

Image of measles infection

Measles Rash

Question? Call your primary care physician. Talk to your primary care physician about measles, and about vaccinations to help prevent the measles. If you think you may have been exposed, call your doctor.

Sources and More Information  –

GMG’s Kim Smith did a report on measles last year, including a survey asking people their opinion about vaccinating for measles prevention.  Here are the results – Out of 158 votes, 149 people (94.3%) chose this response – “All children should be vaccinated against the measles, regardless of their parent’s religious or political viewpoint (the only allowable exemptions are for health reasons).”

~ Wishing You the Best in Health,   Karen

 

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. Alumnus. Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC.  Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

Disclaimer: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about health and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker. Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other insti­tu­tion with which the authors are affiliated.

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Community Reiki Share for a Cause – LungForce for Lung Health

Dreamtime Wellness ™

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit

Next Community Reiki Share – Tuesday. May 3rd. 5:15 – 8:15 P.M. $20.00 Suggested Donation. Portion of monthly proceeds donated to charitable fund-raising, local and abroad. This month’s Reiki Share proceeds to help benefit LungForce.org.

lungforcewalk-facebook-profile01

 Social Ambassador for Lung Force. Last year, upon hearing about the growing rate of lung cancer diagnosis in young women who have never smoked, I became a Social Ambassador for Lung Force to help educate and increase awareness.

Here are the Facts –

  • Lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women in the United States.
  • Every five minutes, a woman in the U.S. is told she has lung cancer.
  • The lung cancer death rate in women has more than doubled over the past 35 years.
  • Anyone can get lung cancer.

Cheryl’s Healing Journey –  Through LungForce Day 2015, I connected with a young woman in Pennsylvania.

Married with two young children Cheryl had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer October 2015. When I met Cheryl in November, she expressed wanting “to give up,” discouraged by the diagnosis and harsh chemotherapy treatments. The hospital where she receives treatment offers Integrative Therapies (acupuncture, massage, reiki, etc.) Her medical condition prevented her from having acupuncture or massage, and no one had mentioned reiki. I was able to connect Cheryl with Reiki, which is offered free at the cancer center where she receives treatment. The financial strain of cancer treatment can be devastating. Many hospitals now offer Integrative Therapies in Cancer Centers, free to patients. Our November Community Reiki Share provided needed money to Cheryl and her family. We continue to offer emotional support. Cheryl found her strength and has continued her treatments. Months later, she continues to achieve lifetime milestones. Most recently, Cheryl celebrated her son Daniel’s 1st Birthday.

Cheryl and her family express their “thanks for donations, prayer and healing energy.”

LungForce.org works to advance lung health—a life free of lung disease—for everyone who suffers from asthma, COPD and other lung diseases, or has someone in their life who does.

How You Can Help Support Lung Force – 

  • Attend our Community Reiki Share May 3rd. 
  • Make a Donation to Lung Force. 
  • Join me to Walk – LungForce Walk Boston. Thursday. May 12. 5 – 8 pm. Boston Commons.

Monthly ‘Community Reiki Shares’ are offered ‘First Tuesdays.’ Held at the Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. Manchester-by-the-Sea. An affordable way to enjoy a Reiki Session while supporting charitable organizations. Contact us if you have a charitable organization or fundraiser and would like to partner with us. 

Reiki Photo DTW Stock Photo with © 2015

Reiki Ryoho-  a Japanese Healing Method/Art – Schedule: 5:30 pm – Meditation, Japanese mawashi (circle) and Komyo open reiju (attunement.) Pre-register for a session of Reiki between 6 and 8 pm.

Attend part or the entire evening. Enjoy the sense of peace, comfort and calm Reiki provides. 

Healthy snacks and tea are available. You don’t have to be a Reiki practitioner to join in. Those attending often comment on “how welcomed” and “relaxed” they feel, and how much they “enjoy the peace” of the evening. Some express “relief of pain” and “improved comfort.”

Where – Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. (Harbor Place) in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Every 1st Tuesday of the Month. 

Manchester Community Center

Register in Advance – info@DreamtimeWellness.com or call 978-283-4258. Walk-ins accommodated as we are able. Wheelchair accessible. Convenient, free parking.

As one woman says, “I always leave (the Reiki Share) feeling relaxed, and happy.

~ Join us and experience a relaxing, peaceful evening. ~  Karen

Offering Reiki therapy in hospitals responds to patients’ physical and emotional needs. (1) More study is needed, but in preliminary studies ‘there is evidence to suggest that Reiki therapy may be effective for pain and anxiety.” (2)

Reiki sessions are intended as adjunctive, supportive care and are not meant to be used ‘in place of” conventional medical care. If you are having medical issues, do not delay treatment. An accurate diagnosis is important for ‘best care’ and ‘best outcomes.’ for For safe, collaborative care, report the use of all complementary therapies, herbs and supplements to physician. Some complementary therapies, supplements, herbal and over-the-counter products may negatively interfere with your care; discuss use of these with your doctor.

For more information and a list of resources – 

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