I’ve been getting many e-mails over the past couple of days concerning swine flu.  So I’ve decided to answer a few of them here.

Dear Dr. Manny,
If I had the swine flu in 1976 after I received the swine flu vaccine as a college student, do I have any anti-bodies that may help ward off this version of the virus?
                  —Amy Gorman
                  Lutherville, MD

Probably not. This current swine flu’s genetic makeup is different from the swine flu from the ‘70s, and therefore the vaccination won’t be protective for you. But the silver lining is that this current swine flu is less lethal, and there may components in it that more Americans have been exposed to. So you may have a greater chance of being protected already which can minimize the symptoms.    

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Dear Dr. Manny,
We have friends who have returned from a trip to Mexico City two weeks ago. How long would it take for swine flu symptoms to show up if they were infected?
Thank you for your time,
—Alan

The typical incubation time for a virus is 48-72 hours.  So if your friends have been back for two weeks, and don’t have any symptoms, you can feel confident that they are safe. 

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Dr. Manny,
My wife and I are very concerned of the complications swine flu/treatment would pose to her pregnancy. Are the approved drugs for treatment approved for use during pregnancy?
Thanks,
Ben Demaline
Jacksonville, FL

Yes, all of the current flu treatments can be given to pregnant women. As a matter of fact, we tend to be more aggressive in treating the flu in expectant mothers because pregnancy can make flu symptoms worse and put the patient at higher risk. That’s why it’s recommended that all pregnant women get flu shots annually.

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Dr. Manny,
I will be flying to Las Vegas next week with a two-hour layover in Atlanta. I had a liver transplant five years ago and have done really well. Do you think that I should wear a mask at the airport and on the plane? I am very concerned about the large crowds and would like your opinion.
Thank you for any answer!
G. Savage

As a liver transplant recipient you are probably taking immunosuppressant therapy drugs and therefore you do have to take precautions to avoid exposure to the swine flu ― or any kind of flu. Even though I’m not a big advocate of wearing masks, I do feel that you should wear one. But remember: Not all facial masks are created equal, so get one that has been proven to protect against viruses. There are many supply stores that carry this specific mask for viruses. Also, try to wipe down all the surfaces on your airplane seat with antibacterial wipes. Be sure to wash your hands before, during and after the trip. And avoid any contact with anyone who you suspect might be sick. I know that this is a big stretch, but until we know exactly the extent of the spread, in your particular case, I would be extra cautious. I hope that this doesn’t ruin your vacation! 

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Dr. Manny,
I have no choice but to commute using public transportation everyday.  How should I take precautions against the swine flu?
                  Thanks,
                  —Paul

If you can avoid public transportation, especially crowded subway cars, then do it.  But if you can’t here’s what you can do:

• If you are a healthy individual you can just use antibacterial products, including wipes and gels, chronically throughout your trip.
• Avoid contact with people who are coughing or appear sick.  If they are in your car, move to another one. 
• As soon as you get home or to the office wash your hands, wipe down your cell phone, iPod or any device that you used during your trip. 

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Dear Dr. Manny,
I’m a chronic nail biter and I’m really concerned about the swine flu.  What should I do?
Best,
                  —Mel

First and foremost — wash your hands. Your hands are the most common tool for picking up germs and viruses in general. So if you are a nail biter, this would be the perfect incentive for you to quit. Also, biting your nails can make you ingest things other than viruses that you don’t want to have in your body.

Nestle USA is voluntarily recalling all of their Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products today after reports of a possible E. coli outbreak linked to the ingestion of raw cookie dough. The FDA and the CDC are investigating reports of 66 cases of illness across 28 states related to these Toll House products. Now, I’m sure we’ve all indulged in a handful of raw cookie dough at one point or another, but this recall is just another reminder (aside from the WARNING printed on the label) — that it’s not safe to eat until it’s heated!

Because of the popularity of these products, we’ve been getting a lot of questions about E. coli, its symptoms and how to prevent infection. Here’s a quick Q&A to help clear things up for you.

What is E. coli?
E. coli is a kind of bacterium called Escherichia coli that lives in the digestive tracts of animals and humans. There are many different strains of E. coli bacteria, and for the most part, many of them are harmless. But some strains can cause extreme abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, bloody stools and vomiting — while others strains can lead to urinary tract infections, respiratory illnesses, anemia, kidney failure and even death.

Where does it come from?
Contaminated food:
The most common way people in the U.S. become infected with E. coli is from eating contaminated food. In fact, the CDC estimates that 85 percent of E. coli infections come from ingesting infected food or water. Because E. coli bacteria live in the intestines of healthy animals, like cows, it is possible for processed meats to become contaminated. If the contaminated meat is not heated to 160°F during preparation, the bacteria can survive and infect you when you eat it.
Raw foods can also carry E. coli. It’s important to check the labels and make sure that all your dairy products are pasteurized, or heated to kill off bacteria before hitting the store shelves. Raw fruits and vegetables can become contaminated if they come in contact with manure or animal feces.

Contaminated water:
While not as common as foodborne E. coli infections, people can also become ill from drinking or ingesting contaminated water that has not been properly treated. And sometimes, accidentally swallowing lake or pool water that has come in contact with human or animal feces can put you at risk for becoming infected with E. coli.

Person-to-person:
E. coli can also be spread from person-to-person if someone does not wash their hands thoroughly after a bowel movement. This is not as common, but it’s especially important for people who work in the restaurant/food preparation industry because they can spread the bacteria from their hands to other objects — including your dinner! I know it’s not a nice thought, but it happens more often than you think, so it sounds simple, but washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to prevent all kinds of infections.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms usually start 3-4 days after exposure to the bacteria and can include:

• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stools
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Mild fever
• Dehydration

Who is at risk?
People of all ages can become infected with E. coli, but the risk for serious complications is higher for young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems or underlying health problems.

How is it treated?
E. coli infections will usually clear on their own in about a week in a healthy person and treatment involves resting and staying hydrated. Often, people just assume they have a stomach bug and don’t go to the doctor, so they don’t know that E. coli caused their illness, but a simple stool test can diagnose the condition. As a rule of thumb, you should contact your physician any time there is blood in your stool.

• How can E. coli infection be prevented?
  Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food;
• Cook meats thoroughly at a temperature of at least 160°F/70°C (use a thermometer to test the meat if you’re not sure);
• Do not drink raw milk, unpasteurized dairy products, and unpasteurized juices (like fresh apple cider);
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming or playing in lakes, ponds, streams or swimming pools;
• When traveling abroad to countries that may have unsafe drinking water, don’t drink tap water or get ice in your drinks. Also, avoid raw fruits and vegetables, except those with skin that you can peel yourself;
• Wash your hands often, and always wash them after you use the bathroom or change diapers — it’s the best way to prevent infection with any bacteria.

Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.

As we watch swine flu through the rear view mirror, and our concerns begin to fade, it is easier to see it in a more proper context. I tried to do just that in my oped in USA Today.

Even as we turn our attention to the southern hemisphere, and watch via the World Health Organization FluNet tracking system for the extent of the virus over the winter, I can’t help but comment on the WHO handling of the Pandemic Alert System as it applies to the swine flu outbreak.

The problem is that the current alert system was put in place in 2005 in reaction to the Avian Flu scare. Of course a tracking system in response to a scare has a built in tendency for overreaction. I don’t have a problem with the notion that level 5 involves sustained transmission of a new flu strain from person to person in 2 countries in the same region. Nor do I have a problem with the idea that a full pandemic (a scare term which is too vague to be descriptive) involves a sustained outbreak in different regions of the world. What I do have a problem with is the lack of statistics —number of cases and number of deaths don’t factor in. So it is possible to have a pandemic with only a few thousand cases. Where would the Bubonic Plague or the Spanish Flu, diseases which killed many millions of people, fit on a pandemic alert scale where a relatively small outbreak of Swine Flu is already listed near the worst possible ranking?

Not only that, but these pandemic alerts are used by the U.S. and other countries as a justification to divert needed health resources from other essential medical problems to the fear of pandemics. Sometimes that is justified, but often it isn’t. Keep in mind that Tamiflu and vaccines (which are stockpiled and then mobilized in anticipation of a pandemic), are perishable. We have already discarded hundreds of thousands of doses of unused smallpox and anthrax vaccines. How much excess expensive Tamiflu will we also discard when it expires?

Dr. Marc Siegel is an internist and associate professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine. He is a FOX News medical contributor and writes a health column for the LA Times, where he examines TV and movies for medical accuracy. Dr. Siegel is the author of “False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear“ and “Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic.”  Read more at www.doctorsiegel.com

It’s a good thing I never became a judge, because if I had, Stewart Parnell, president of Peanut Corp. of America would have been in jail by now.

The public evidence is overwhelming: He showed blatant disregard for the safety of millions of Americans, including children. He allowed contaminated peanut products to end up in our food supply.

People have died here! Where is the outrage??!! Stop the hearings, and send this guy and people like him to jail! Just this afternoon, medical examiners confirmed another salmonella-related death in Ohio, which brings the death toll up to nine people that have fallen victim to this profit-mongering filth.

Earlier today, e-mails were released as evidence where Parnell was quoted as saying he wanted to “turn the raw peanuts on our floor into money.” And this man had the audacity to respectfully decline to answer questions at his hearing on the advice of his counsel.

I believe in due process, but I also believe that there are certain circumstances that call for more immediate action.

I have three beautiful children, all school-aged, and one of them had to come home from school today because he was nauseous. Yes, this is probably your run-of-the-mill flu virus, but for a fleeting moment, I actually thought to myself, “I hope he didn’t contract salmonella.”

When anyone or anything threatens the welfare of our children, due process must change and you should be guilty until proven innocent.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST OF RECALLED PEANUT PRODUCTS. (You can also find the list on our Health home page next to the most up-to-date salmonella story in headlines)

Health Officials Report Salmonella-Linked Death | RECALL

Salmonella is an animal bacteria that lives in the intestines of cows and chickens.  It has become prevalent in these animals and can easily spread to humans through live chicken handlers and food handlers. We raise our poultry in close quarters and squalor, injecting them with steroids and antibiotics that weaken their immunities and create resistant bugs. Salmonella can also easily spread to crops from manure and irrigation, so people can then become infected from eating contaminated produce. Peanuts have not been part of previous outbreaks, but the bacteria is spreading to vegetables never before affected.

At this point there are 2 to 4 million cases of salmonella food poisoning every year in the U.S., with close to 1000 deaths.
  
The current outbreak involves a resistant salmonella that is becoming a growing problem. Peanut Corp of America has not done an effective job — in fact, salmonella was found on the floor of one of its Georgia factories. The bacteria probably got into the peanut butter in the manufacturing process.
 
More than 125 products have been recalled, including 7 million cases of Kellogg Keebler crackers and Amos cookies, General Mills products, Perry ice cream, NutriSystem granola bars and Pet Smart dog biscuits.

Despite these recalls, the overall risk to the consumer remains statistically quite low. For those who don’t want to take even the slightest risk (I can’t blame them for this) a listing of the 125 products that have been recalled is available at the FDA website.

How to solve the growing Salmonella problem?
*  FDA regulations and manpower need to be increased because the problem is very difficult to oversee. The current outbreak is an example: Peanuts grown in Georgia are made into peanut butter in Minnesota and then sold throughout the country
*  Other techniques that should be considered to protect our peanut crop and other vegetables include radiating vegetables, altering crops genetically to make them resistant to bacteria, and using chlorine dioxide compounds which kill salmonella in the growing and food-handling process.

What should you do if you think you are sick with salmonella poisoning?
*  Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include nausea, fever, and diarrhea
*  Dehydration is a primary concern, so keep well-hydrated
*  Consult with your physician
*  Antibiotics may be considered if the infection is not resolving

To check out my oped in Newsday this past week on the Salmonella/peanut butter outbreak, click here.

Dr. Marc Siegel is an internist and associate professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine. He is a FOX News medical contributor and writes a health column for LA Times, where he examines TV and movies for medical accuracy. Dr. Siegel is the author of “False Alarm: The Truth about the Epidemic of Fear“ and “Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic.”  Read more at www.doctorsiegel.com