Below are some of the top stories from September pertaining to travel nurses and RNs from across the web.
FDA Approves Vaccines for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
by: Pat El-Hinnawy and Peper Long
U.S. Food and Drug Administration / September 15, 2009
The FDA released official confirmation of the approval of four H1N1 vaccines last week. The vaccines have been prepared by CSL Limited, MedImmune LLP, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, and sanofi Pasteur Inc using similar techniques to those employed for the seasonal influenza vaccination. Each of the four companies used the same procedure to develop the vaccination that is expected to be available to the public in mid-October. Researchers are still working to determine the optimal dose for children, but as always, anyone with severe allergies to the shot’s contents (especially chicken eggs) should refrain from receiving the vaccine.
Learn how the vaccine works at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm182399.htm
10 Things You Should Be Doing to Boost Your Immunity
by: Stacey Colino
Real Simple
Now, mother always told us to limit fatty foods, eat plenty of protein, and exercise regularly, but she may have neglected to mention that there are ‘good fats’ found in avocados and peanut butter, and that excessive exercise can be detrimental to the immune system. In this article, Stacey Colino reveals that some surprising factors contribute to immunity as well. Staying healthy, especially as a travel nurse, can be a significant challenge, so take the first steps to constantly feeling great and performing well. Here are a few clues: belt it out, pet a furry friend, and eat the rainbow.
Get your full boost at: http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/boost-immunity-00000000006359/index.html
New York Health Care Workers Resist Flu Vaccine Rule
by: Donald G. McNeil, Jr. and Karen Zraick
The New York Times / September 20, 2009
Jana Newton, a housekeeper at Brooklyn’s Maimonides Medical Center is one among many who are expressing resistance to New York State’s newest policy making influenza vaccinations mandatory for all health care workers. Although New York is the first state to implement such a requirement, it may not be the last. The article by Donald G. McNeil, Jr. and Karen Zraick states that only 42 percent of our nation’s health care workers receive their annual flu vaccinations, even considering that immunologists advocate for a 90 percent in order to protect against any disease. Federal health officials’ recent report of swine flu activity in 21 states suggests that New York’s move is just the first in a national concern for health.
Read the full story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/nyregion/21vaccine.html?_r=1&ref=health
6 Ways to Fight Fatigue
by: Meredith Janson
Shape
Meredith Janson confesses that hitting the snooze button multiple times is an all too common practice in the morning routines of busy people. Unfortunately, those extra couple winks of shut-eye are hardly enough to ward off a constant feeling of fatigue. Many think that fatigue is just a part of life; this article dispels that notion. Shape magazine highlights six ways to tackle fatigue and help eliminate that extra cup of coffee or unplanned nap by disconnecting from technology, drama, and clutter.
Discover all 6 at: http://www.shape.com/health/family_health/everyday_solutions/6_
ways_to_fight_fatigue/p/page/1
