Breast milk is filled with the vitamins and nutrients that your baby needs. It also builds your baby’s immune system and helps their brain develop. But, from pumping to latching, it is clear that this invaluable connection between Mom and Baby can have its share of challenges.

Dr. Wendy Wilcox, Chief Women’s Health Service Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, shares 6 tips on breastfeeding for moms and their children.

• Need Help? We are here for you. All NYC Health + Hospitals acute sites are Baby Friendly certified. This means that your health care team will do all they can to help you in your breastfeeding journey. Immediately after birth, your care team will place your baby on your chest for skin-to-skin contact, which allows baby to better regulate body temperature, spend more time in deep sleep, develop a stronger immune system and improve breastfeeding.
  
  Your first breastfeeding sessions after birth, may be very overwhelming. Although your natural instincts may set in, our Labor and Delivery units have nurses and lactation consultants available to coach you on positioning your baby and ensuring proper latching is achieved. We also support you after you are discharged from the hospital. The NYC Health + Hospitals Community Care team provide breastfeeding support as mom and baby adjust to the home setting.
  
• Try Different Positions to Find What Works for You. If you think finding the right position to sleep is difficult, it’s probably second to breastfeeding. A nursing pillow is strongly recommended to support the baby’s weight and provides more ease for better positioning. Keep in mind, nursing bras will become a standard part of your daily attire 24/7, as well as nursing pads to prevent unexpected leakage. Eating a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water to support breastfeeding will also help for milk production. You and your baby will be exhausted after the birth, so enlist the help of family members or friends to assist with bringing the baby to you, getting you what you need and helping with household chores.
  
• Enjoy Bedtime with Baby. Nursing at night while comfortable in bed, is a goal. Minimize interruptions, use a nightlight with calming music and wear a nursing nightgown or pajamas to make it easier. Lastly, put the phone down and enjoy your one-on-one time with your new baby.! Don’t forget that after nursing, placing your baby in a crib without excess bedding or toys is the safest way for baby to sleep.
  
• Take Care of your Breasts. Sore nipples are common when breastfeeding, and are usually caused by poor latching. Sometimes a baby’s mouth will slide down the nipple during feeding, despite correct latching. If there is more distance between the baby’s nose and your breast, gently break the suction and re-latch your baby. Babies know how much breastmilk they need to take in. They usually end the feeding themselves by letting go of the breast or releasing the nipple when they fall asleep. Allowing baby to determine the length of feeding will ensure the right balance of foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is released at the beginning of the feed and contains more water to quench baby’s thirst. Hindmilk occurs at the end of the feed and contains more calories, satisfying baby’s hunger.
  
  If nipples become cracked or sore, breastmilk is among the safest moisturizers available to soothe the discomfort. You can also use purified lanolin to retain water and prevent dryness or cracking. Warm water is all that is needed to clean your nipples. Try to reduce the amount of soap, shampoo and other bathing cleansers that might further irritate the area.
  
• Watch for Baby’s Feeding Cues and Don’t Give Up. Breastfeeding is not as easy as moms may think, but practice makes perfect, and you need to just give it time. How often you feed your baby will vary but it’s usually every few hours for newborns. Keep in mind, the more often you breastfeed your baby, the body’s natural reaction is to increase the amount of breastmilk produced.
  
  When starting to breastfeed, try to put the baby to the breast when you notice your baby’s feeding cues such as sucking on his hands or smacking his lips. Try not to feed your baby any supplemental formula until your breastfeeding routine, and therefore your milk supply, is well established. Your baby’s stomach is the size of a marble and your baby will take in enough breastmilk by breastfeeding alone. Your baby will benefit from suckling from your nipple, as there are special antibodies which are passed from your body to him during the process. Try to reserve use of a breast pump until breastfeeding is well established.
  
• Continue Breastfeeding Into the Second Year. Don’t be afraid to extend breastfeeding to two years or more, if mutually desired by you and your baby. Nursing in the second year of life can help reduce infant and maternal mortality and morbidity. Parents who breastfeed their children past the one-year mark have a decreased risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer.

More resources:

NYC Department of Health Breastfeeding Resources

The New York City Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding

The post Ask Our Expert: 6 Breastfeeding Tips for Mom and Baby appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

Fortunately, routine screenings can prevent it or help find cancers early, when they are easier to treat. There are several methods of colon cancer screening.

Colonoscopies allow health care providers to detect and remove polyps—or growths—from the colon or rectum to help prevent cancer.

Another option for screening is a stool-based test called FIT. This FIT test can be done at home by collecting a stool (feces) sample using a test kit and sending the kit to a lab. A lab analysis looks for signs of blood in stool. This test requires little or no preparation and has no health risk. If the result is abnormal, you will need a follow-up colonoscopy.

Here are 6 things to know about the FIT Test

1. Start at 45: Adults who are at average risk for colon cancer may use a FIT.
2. Know If You’re High Risk: If you are at an increased risk of colon cancer, you may need screening early, or this test may not be right for you. Discuss your medical and family medical history with your provider before choosing a test.
   
   Tell them if you have any of these risk factors:
   • A history of colon cancer or precancerous polyps
   • A parent, sibling or child with colon cancer or precancerous polyps
   • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also called Lynch syndrome
   • Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
3. How Often: This test is done once a year. If results are abnormal, you will need a follow-up colonoscopy soon after.
4. Why It’s Important: FIT detects signs of colon and rectal cancer. It can also detect some polyps, which are growths that could become cancer later.
5. Home Testing is Quick and Easy: You do this test at home. You will get a kit from your provider or in the mail with instructions about how to take a sample of stool. For example, with some tests you use the brush from the kit to brush the surface of the stool or dip the brush into the toilet water. You then touch the brush on the space indicated on the test card.
6. Mail Within 24 Hours: You mail the test card to the lab for analysis or return the test to your provider’s office. Your provider will discuss the meaning of the test results with you.

The post What You Need to Know About Colon Cancer appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

For instance, heart disease is the leading cause of death in men in the United States, and is largely caused by high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking. With regular visits to a primary care provider, your cholesterol levels and blood pressure would be monitored and if you smoke, you could get help to quit. With a proactive mindset and at least a yearly visit to a primary care doctor, prevention can become your best defense.

“Regular visits to a primary care doctor are key to good health,” says Dr. Andrew Wallach, NYC Health + Hospitals Chief of Ambulatory Care. “And not only do you start to feel comfortable with your provider, but your doctor learns more about you and can find problems early, before they become serious.”

To schedule an appointment with a primary care provider near you, call (844) 692-4692. Learn more about telehealth | Find a primary care provider near you

Once you’ve found a provider, here are 10 things you can do for your health:

• Know your Numbers. Getting regular check-ups and knowing numbers, such as your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and cholesterol levels are important for heart health. 1 in 4 New Yorkers have high blood pressure and many do not know it or do not know how to manage it. You can check your blood pressure at your doctor’s office and at some pharmacies. Tips to take care of your blood pressure | Heart Health Tips
• Get a COVID-19 Booster shot. At least one vaccine booster shot is now recommended for everyone 5 and older who is fully vaccinated. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get Tested for Diabetes. Close to 200,000 New Yorkers do not know they have diabetes (elevated sugar). Many more New Yorkers also have pre-diabetes and do not know. Pre-diabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be in the diabetic range.Are you concerned that you might have diabetes? Get a blood sugar test at a NYC Health + Hospitals location. Call (844) 692-4692 or talk to your primary care doctor about getting tested for diabetes.
• Get a Colon Cancer Screening. If you are 45 to 75 years of age, you should get screened for colon cancer. About 95% of colon cancers are treatable when caught in the early stages. Talk to your doctor, or call us at (844) 692-4692 about scheduling a colon cancer screening near you. Colon Cancer Screening at NYC Health + Hospitals | Learn more about colon cancer screening
• Know your Prostate Health. Men over 55 years of age should monitor their prostate health and ask their doctor about their prostate cancer risk. A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in the blood. The amount of time between future screenings depends on the results of your PSA blood test. Call us at (844) 692-4692 about scheduling a screening near you. Know your risk for prostate cancer | Prostate Health Tips
• Feeling Depressed? We Can Help. For many New Yorkers, the COVID-19 pandemic affected their mental health and our team of psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and social workers are here to support you and provide the best quality care. We help patients rediscover their strengths and abilities, and to overcome the stigma of mental illness. Learn more about our Mental Health Services | Tips to Drink Less Alcohol | Learn more about our Alcohol Addiction and Substance Use Services or call (844) 692-4692 to be connected to a provider.
• Keep Moving. A little bit of exercise can go a long way in improving your health. Try to get about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Walking is a safe and effective way to help keep your heart healthy. If you cannot do 30 minutes in a day, don’t worry. Some movement is better than no movement so do what you can.
• Eat and Drink Smart. Stay away from unhealthy foods and drinks like potato chips and soda. If you are craving a snack, reach for nuts with no added salt, fresh fruit, or low-fat yogurt. When it comes to adding spice to your food, try herbs instead of salt to lower the sodium in your diet. Add flavor to your water by adding fruits like lemons. Get healthy nutrition tips | Find healthy foods in NYC
• Quit Smoking. Smoking, as well as excessive drinking, can lead to an irregular heart beat and high-blood pressure. Stopping smoking can lower your risk of heart disease and lung cancer. Tips to quit smoking | Get help to quit smoking
• Get Health Care Coverage. NYC Health + Hospitals can help connect you to affordable health insurance and payment options to pay for your care. Learn more about your options

The post Ask Our Expert: 10 Things Men Should Do for Their Health appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

Even after patients recover from COVID-19, many continue to experience health issues for weeks or months after their illness.

To help New Yorkers battling those ongoing health effects, NYC Health + Hospitals has opened three COVID-19 Centers of Excellence in the city.

The three centers, in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, offer comprehensive physical and mental health care for all New Yorkers. For those recovering from COVID-19, the centers offer specific services for their needs including lung care, supplemental oxygen and heart care.

The health centers also provide primary care and specialty services for adults and children, and also sexual and reproductive health care.

Here are 8 services available to you at our new centers:

1. Comprehensive COVID-19 preventive and ongoing care: We offer testing, lung care and supplemental oxygen. The new facilities also have rooms that help safely isolate patients who may have COVID-19.
2. Mental health services: Many New Yorkers are struggling with the emotional impact of COVID-19 including depression and anxiety. Mental health services are available to anyone to help them process and understand stress, anxiety depression or any distress.
3. Treatment for chronic conditions: Chronic conditions are often lifelong or life changing and can greatly impact a person’s quality of life and their ability to fight COVID-19. At our COVID-19 health centers, we’ll help you manage conditions like asthma, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressures, HIV/AIDS and other conditions.
4. Sexual health and reproductive services: Providers will also provide sexual and reproductive health services including HIV and STD testing, vaccinations and more for patients age 13 and older.
5. Resources for mothers: We offer family planning, prenatal and postpartum care and breastfeeding/lactation services.
6. Pediatric care: We offer care for babies and children of all ages. We also provide confidential sexual and reproductive care for teenagers and young adults from 13 to 21-years-old.
7. Specialty services: See clinicians who are experts in pulmonary treatments, cardiology care and heart health.
8. Additional services include: onsite access to medication, diagnostic and radiology services and cancer screenings. We also provide dental, vision and podiatry care.

The post 8 Great Health Services Offered at the COVID-19 Centers of Excellence appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our doctors, nurses and health care staff are dedicated to helping our patients enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

That’s why we no longer serve or sell sugary drinks at any of our hospitals and health centers. Our vending machines, gift shops and cafeterias have also removed sugary drinks and only offer healthy options.

Sugary drinks are beverages that contain added sugars, including sodas, sweetened teas, sports/energy drinks and fruit juices. These drinks are high in empty calories and have little or no nutritional value.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sugary drinks are the single largest source of added sugar in Americans’ diets. Studies have shown that people who regularly consume just one sugary drink per day have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cavities and weight gain. Gaining weight is also linked to high blood pressure, some cancers and other health conditions.

Dr. Chokshi shares these tips for limiting your intake of sugary drinks.

1. Avoid sugary drinks and do not give them to children.
2. If you do have a sugary drink, choose a small size so you drink fewer empty calories.
3. Check the Nutrition Facts label and avoid drinks with added sugars such as corn syrup, evaporated cane juice, honey or molasses.
4. Instead of reaching for a sugary drink, stay hydrated and refreshed by:
   • Drinking water or seltzer and adding fruits, vegetables or herbs for flavor.
   • Trying unsweetened tea as an alternative.
   • Eating whole fruits instead of drinking juice.
   • Asking for coffee and tea with no sugar.

The post Ask Our Expert: Skip the Sugary Drinks appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

To help, our health system operates 12 farmers markets throughout the summer and fall seasons that are conveniently located at patient care locations all through the city.

According to Lily Correa, Registered Dietitian for the Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, people who eat more fruits and vegetables tend to live longer and are at a lower risk for chronic illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

For those already living with these illnesses, a healthy eating pattern can help manage their conditions and prevent any further complications.

Here are 7 Ways Farmers Markets Can Lead to a Healthier Life:

1. Fresh fruits and vegetables: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can decrease blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease/stroke and lower your blood sugar. BONUS: Shopping at Farmers Markets means shopping locally and in season, which ensures the best-tasting fruits and vegetables around!
2. Find the Fiber: The wonder nutrient, exclusively found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains, is the preferred food for your helpful gut bacteria. Since 70% of our immune system lives in our gut, feeding our helpful gut bacteria their favorite food may mean a stronger immune system for us in return.
3. Variety is Key: No single fruit or vegetable provides all the nutrients you need to stay healthy. The wide variety of fruits and vegetables found at farmers markets will ensure you get a diversity of essential nutrients.Some examples include:
   • Apples are rich in fiber, which can help manage your blood sugar levels and promote good digestion.
   • Avocados are high in fiber as well as monounsaturated fat, a healthy fat which is linked to lower risk of heart disease.
   • Blueberries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent cell damage.
   • Carrots contain vitamin A. Vitamin A is vital for healthy eyesight, and getting enough of this nutrient may help prevent vision loss.
   • Butternut squash is a good (and delicious) option for people with diabetes. This is because they are low on the glycemic index, so they may help regulate blood sugar.
   • Kale is a great source of calcium, potassium, vitamins K and C, and various antioxidants. These are all good for maintaining bone health.
4. Easy Ways to Pay at the Markets: Various payment options are available to help New Yorkers take advantage of farmers markets, and Fresh Food Box sites, including EBT/SNAP, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coupons. Grow NYC sites also accept Healthfirst OTC cards for LIP and CC members.
5. Meeting your neighbors/socializing: Making new friends as well as meeting up with old friends can help boost happiness and reduce stress. After all, fostering social connections is one of the key ways to stay healthy.
6. Farmers Markets Taking COVID-19 Precautions: Each farmers market continues to take appropriate COVID-19 precautions by enforcing face coverings and social distancing, as well as facilitating contact-less shopping wherever possible
7. Fresh Air: As you take in fresh air, you increase the oxygen levels in your brain, which in turn helps you feel more energized and better able to concentrate.

Find a Farmers Market in your neighborhood.

The post 7 Ways Farmers Markets Can Lead to a Healthier Life appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

That’s why we encourage any New Yorker who is pregnant, breastfeeding or wanting to become pregnant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated is the best way for pregnant people to prevent severe illness and protect their baby.

Schedule your vaccine or walk-in

People who are pregnant or were recently pregnant are more likely to become very sick from COVID-19 than people who are not pregnant or were not recently pregnant. This may include hospitalization, intensive care, or needing a ventilator.

Dr. Wendy Wilcox, Chief Women’s Health Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals

Dr. Wendy Wilcox, Chief Women’s Health Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, strongly recommends that all people who are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant get vaccinated against COVID-19. Claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to fertility problems are unfounded and have no evidence supporting them, she said.

“The CDC says it is safe for people who want to become pregnant to get a COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Wilcox, “Getting vaccinated helps your immune system protect you, your baby and your family—it can’t and won’t harm you or your baby. Getting vaccinated can help to ensure you have a safe and healthy pregnancy.”

Here are five reasons to get vaccinated and boosted before, during and after pregnancy.

• Protect Yourself, Your Baby and Your Family
  Getting vaccinated reduces your risk of getting COVID-19 and spreading it to others, including your baby. It is important for anyone around your baby to be fully vaccinated. Your baby has a new immune system and is vulnerable to COVID-19. Making sure your loved ones are vaccinated helps protect your baby’s health and reduces the chance of infection.
• Pregnant or Breastfeeding People Are at Higher Risk for Becoming Very Sick with COVID-19
  Pregnant or breastfeeding people who have COVID-19 may have trouble breathing or chest pain that requires hospital or intensive care. People who are pregnant and have COVID-19 are also at increased risk for preterm birth (delivering the baby before 37 weeks) and possibly other negative pregnancy outcomes.
• COVID-19 Vaccines Are Proven to Be Safe and Effective
  The CDC, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) strongly recommend that all people who are pregnant or breastfeeding get vaccinated against COVID-19. People who get the vaccine do not have a higher risk of miscarriage than those who don’t get the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine cannot change the DNA of you or your baby and there are no reports of birth defects among the thousands of women who received the COVID-19 vaccine before or during pregnancy.
• Vaccinated People Who are Breastfeeding Develop Antibodies Against COVID-19
  Recent studies of people who are pregnant and got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines found antibodies in their babies’ cord blood and pregnant people’s breast milk. Your breastfed baby will get these antibodies and have some protection from COVID-19.
• COVID-19 Vaccines Have No Effect on Fertility
  There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility or causes fertility problems in women or men. The antibodies that you develop after getting the COVID-19 vaccine will fight off the virus that causes COVID-19 but will not affect your reproductive organs or fertility.

• Read Frequently Asked Questions on Pregnancy and COVID-19 Vaccines
• Learn more from NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene

The post 5 Reasons to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Shot Before, During and After Pregnancy appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

The number one misconception among patients with high blood pressure is that they don’t feel sick. That’s why high blood pressure or hypertension is commonly known as the silent killer — you don’t have to feel anything to be affected. But if you have it and don’t treat it, it will catch up with you and it can cause severe consequences, such as heart disease or stroke.

Unfortunately, 1 in 4 New Yorkers suffer from high blood pressure and too many don’t know it or don’t know how to best manage it. Luckily, you can be proactive to reduce your risks.
“Your blood pressure is very much in your control,” says Dr. Nichola Davis, Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer. Dr. Davis shares her top 10 tips to help prevent and manage high blood pressure.

• Know your numbers. Your blood pressure tests how hard your heart has to work to pump blood through your body. You should get your blood pressure checked by a medical provider once a year. Talk to your medical provider about what your numbers mean.

• Take your medication. For those who have high blood pressure and take prescription medication, it is essential to take it each and every time. Do not skip a dose just because you “feel fine.” If you have problems taking your medication, your provider can help you.
• Get moving. Exercise for 30 minutes five times a week can lower your blood pressure. Studies show that breaking down exercise to 10 minutes three times a day is just as good as 30 minutes once a day.
• Cut the salt. 75% of the salt we eat comes from packaged and restaurant food. You should consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day.
• Read labels. Canned foods, sauces, cheeses, and breads are high in sodium. Choose foods marked “low sodium” and always compare labels.

• Look for the salt shaker warning. Fast food and chain restaurants now place a salt shaker picture next to foods that have more than the recommended daily intake of sodium. Avoid these foods.
• Nature knows best. Add fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables into each meal. Check out the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. It recommends 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
• Work on some weight loss. If you are overweight, losing as little as 10-20 pounds can lower your blood pressure. Work with your medical provider to figure out the right weight and weight loss plan for you.
• Quit smoking. Cigarettes can raise your blood pressure and put stress on your heart. Get help here.
• You don’t have to do it all at once. Habits are hard to change. You can work on one or two things at a time and still see a noticeable difference to reach healthier levels.

Don’t know your blood pressure? Find a doctor and make an appointment today.

The post Ask Our Expert: Controlling “The Silent Killer” — High Blood Pressure appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

Electronic cigarettes – or e-cigarettes – are battery-powered devices that heat liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs. The act of using an e-cigarette is called vaping.

E-cigarette liquids do not contain tobacco, but they almost always contain flavorings and nicotine, which is addictive. E-liquids may also contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinoid (CBD) oils or other substances and additives.

So far, health officials have not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product linked to lung disease. However, Dr. Kelly Kyanko, primary care physician at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, is recommending that New Yorkers stop using e-cigarette products.

Dr. Kelly Kyanko, primary care physician, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue

“Until we know more, New Yorkers should consider stopping use of e-cigarettes or vaping products,” said Dr. Kyanko, who is also director of Bellevue’s Stop Smoking Program.

“If you are an adult who uses e-cigarettes because you have quit cigarette smoking, don’t return to smoking cigarettes. See your doctor or find a smoking cessation program to help you quit.”

Here are five things you need to know about e-cigarettes and vaping.

• Watch for symptoms of lung illness – Some people who smoked e-cigarettes, developed symptoms over a few days. Others said that their symptoms developed over several weeks. If you have used an e-cigarette or vaping product and have any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away.
  Symptoms include:
  • Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Fatigue, fever, or abdominal pain
• Health risks – We do not know the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.
  But, the aerosol from heated e-liquids can contain harmful chemicals, such as:
  • Formaldehyde and benzene, which can cause cancer
  • Diacetyl from flavoring, which is linked to lung disease
  • Heavy metals, such as nickel, tin and lead
• Don’t use e-cigarettes to help quit smoking – E-cigarettes are not approved by the FDA to help people quit smoking. If you are an adult who uses e-cigarettes because you quit cigarette smoking, do not return to smoking cigarettes. Instead, we recommend nicotine patches, nicotine gum or FDA approved medications which can double your chances of success.
• Teens are at risk – Youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to try cigarettes later. If you are a parent or guardian, talk to your children about the risks of using e-cigarettes. Encourage an open, ongoing conversation.
• Find support to help you quit – If you are looking for help to quit smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes, contact one of our smoking cessation programs. Call 1-844-NYC-4NYC.

More Resources:

NYCDOHMH E-Cigarettes Health Risks
CDC Key Facts about E-Cigarette Use or Vaping
New York State Department of Health Electronic Cigarettes Facts

For help quitting smoking or vaping, make an appointment with an NYC Health + Hospitals Tobacco Cessation Counselor.

The post What You Need to Know About E-Cigarettes and Vaping appeared first on NYC Health + Hospitals.

Pediatrician Dr. Karen Griffith

Measles can be serious for people of all ages. But, the virus is more severe in infants, pregnant women and people whose immune systems are weak. In some cases. measles can lead to death.

Presently, there is a measles outbreak in parts of Brooklyn and Queens. So far, more than 400 measles cases have been reported in New York City with most cases occurring in children under age 5.

“The best and safest way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Karen Griffith of NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County in Brooklyn.

Here are some facts about measles and tips for keeping your family safe.

More Measles Info

Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. In some cases, symptoms may start as early as seven days or as late as 21 days.

Early symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

Three to five days after initial symptoms, a rash of red spots appears on the face that then spreads over the entire body.

People who become infected with measles can suffer complications including:

• Diarrhea
• Ear infections
• Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
• Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
• Premature birth or low-birth-weight in pregnancy
• Death

Prevention

Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles. Anyone who has received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is considered immune and highly unlikely to get measles.

MMR Vaccine

A child should get a measles vaccine on or after their first birthday. The vaccine is combined with mumps and rubella vaccines into one vaccine called MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended before children enter school at 4 to 6 years of age.

For everyone 12 months or older, two doses of measles vaccine are recommended.

For more information on measles, go to the New York City Department of Health Measles webpage.

If you need more information about measles vaccinations, call 1-844-NYC-4NYC.

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