Quit For Your Loved Ones
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
You likely know that smoking is dangerous for your health, and can cause many diseases and serious health conditions, but did you know that you are putting your loved ones at risk as well?
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke has two forms: the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker and the smoke from a burning cigarette, cigar or pipe. Anyone breathing in any type of smoke is taking in the same dangerous chemicals and toxins as the person who is smoking.
Do you smoke in your home, in your car or at work? If so, you are endangering your friends, co-workers, pets and family members.
Health Risks
Secondhand smoke can cause a variety of health conditions and diseases, including:
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Asthma
- Middle ear infections in children
- Chest discomfort, coughing and trouble breathing
- Pneumonia and bronchitis, especially in children
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Surgeon General Report
The U.S. Surgeon General conducted a report on the effects of secondhand smoke. Here are some of the key findings:
- There is no safe exposure level to secondhand smoke.
- Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and adults who do not smoke.
- Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for many respiratory conditions and ear problems.
- Secondhand smoke immediately affects heart and blood circulation in a harmful way.
- Despite the increasing limitations on smoking in public places, millions are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces.
- The only way to prevent secondhand smoke exposure is to prohibit all smoking in that building. Walls and ventilation systems do not prevent secondhand smoke exposure for nonsmokers.
Why Quit?
If you’re looking for motivation to quit for good, do it for your loved ones. You can improve and protect their health along with your own.
- Published in Blog
Understanding RSV
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. For many, RSV is recoverable within a week, but RSV can be serious for some. Infants and older adults are at the highest risk for RSV complications.
Currently, RSV is on the rise and spreading at higher levels in the 2022 fall and winter seasons. The following CDC information can help you learn how RSV spreads, how to prevent the virus and when to seek care.
What Are the Symptoms of RSV?
Those infected with RSV typically show symptoms within four to six days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms can include:
- Runny nose
- Decreased appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
Symptoms vary depending on the stage of RSV, meaning that symptoms don’t typically appear all at once. The only symptoms that may be displayed in young infants are irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties. Most children will experience an RSV infection by the time they are 2 years old.
While most symptoms are mild, some can be serious and lead to major health complications. RSV infections can cause bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than age 1. Older adults—especially those age 65 and older or with weakened immune systems—and infants younger than 6 months may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or experiencing dehydration.
How Does RSV Spread?
RSV spreads quickly and is highly contagious. It can spread through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. Additionally, RSV can live on surfaces such as counters, door knobs, hands and clothing.
People infected with RSV are usually contagious for three to eight days and may become contagious a day or two before they show signs of illness. As such, the virus can spread quickly through schools and daycare centers.
How Do I Prevent RSV?
To best prevent the spread of RSV, especially if cold-like symptoms are present, follow these CDC guidelines:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve—not your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid close contact, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing cups and eating utensils with others.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.
If you have an infant, ask their pediatrician if they could be considered high-risk. If you have high-risk children, abide by the following CDC guidelines:
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Wash the child’s hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching the child’s face with unwashed hands.
- Try to limit the time the child spends in childcare centers or other contagious settings during periods of high RSV activity. This may help prevent infection and the spread of the virus during the RSV season.
How Do I Care for RSV at Home?
Mild cases of RSV can be cared for at home with the following strategies:
- Make your child as comfortable as possible.
- Allow time for recovery.
- Provide plenty of fluids. Infants may not feel like drinking, so offer them fluids in small amounts often.
- Treat a fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Be sure to contact your child’s primary care provider before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines or caring for RSV at home.
When Do I Seek Professional Care for RSV?
Most cases of RSV are mild and don’t require medical treatment. This, unfortunately, isn’t the case for every RSV diagnosis, especially with babies and young infants. If your child is experiencing breathing problems, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
The care needed for RSV is unique to each case. If you’re unsure if your child needs to seek professional care, it’s best to reach out to a physician for guidance.
Conclusion
RSV can be serious for infants who catch it, so it’s critical to recognize the signs of RSV. Be sure to wash your hands frequently and disinfect surfaces often this season to help prevent the spread.
For more information on RSV and if your child is high-risk, reach out to your primary physician.
- Published in Blog
Prioritizing Wellness During The 2022-23 School Year
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.
Many may be excited for school to start after a long summer. However, the new school year can come with new and recurring challenges. The 2022-23 school landscape looks different from previous years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mask mandates are on the retreat, with many schools ending preventive measures such as quarantines and regular screening tests. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available to school-aged children.
Although the school year seems to be back to normal, caregivers, parents and children will likely still face uncertainty, stress and other emotions. The return to school and its associated routine can impact everyone differently; therefore, it’s worth taking a proactive approach to approaching wellness during this transition.
This article explores ways to care for yourself and your children during the school year.
Checking In With Children
Although schools, playgrounds and lunchrooms may seem more normal this school year, children may experience stress and uncertainty. Children may even engage in more social situations than in previous years during the pandemic, which can create different environments.
As such, you should monitor your children for signs of anxiety or distress. Be on the lookout for changes in a child’s behavior and mood or physical symptoms, such as:
- Increased defiance or irritability
- Disturbances in sleep
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of concentration
- Less energy
- Sadness or crying
- Nausea, muscle tension or dizziness
- Refusal to go to school or engage in virtual schoolwork
If a child or others in the home shows any of these signs, they may have anxiety about their schooling situation. Children are resilient, but it’s still important to pay attention to signs of anxiety—and seek professional support if any warning signs persist.
Taking Care of Yourself
With school back in session, here are some healthy ways for working parents and caregivers to make the school year more manageable and balance their work and personal responsibilities:
- Set reasonable expectations. Establish realistic expectations about what you think you can accomplish each day or week. Don’t be hard on yourself. Cut yourself some slack and focus on completing high-impact items and responsibilities.
- Develop a schedule. Creating a routine that works around your work schedule and family needs is essential. Additionally, consider consolidating certain activities such as housework, chores or extracurricular activities to one or two specific days to help everyone stay focused.
- Set boundaries. If you feel stretched thin between being a good caregiver and an efficient employee, it may be helpful to set some boundaries. Remember that you’re in control of how you’re expending your energy and can free up mental space to allow yourself to be more present where and when it matters.
- Create healthy habits. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat well so you can be fully charged to take on the day. It’s also important to stay active and incorporate movement into your daily routine. It may help to schedule a workout first thing in the morning, during lunch or in the late afternoon so it will fit in around school.
- Make good use of weekends. If school and work both happen on weekdays, be sure to use the weekends to recharge, reduce stress and have fun as a family. If you prefer alone time, make that a priority. Everyone needs a break from responsibilities, whether that’s work or school.
- Ask for help. Lean on your networks for support if you need help getting through the workdays. With many extracurriculars and school programs back, don’t wait to ask others for help if you’re overwhelmed. Be honest and communicative with your family and co-workers if the current situation isn’t working well.
It’s also important to recognize your unhealthy coping methods and find alternatives such as meditating, exercising or talking with a friend.
Conclusion
Although school is back in session and starting to resemble the pre-pandemic days, caregivers and parents may still seem stretched thin balancing caregiving and working. Children may also feel overwhelmed with school and social aspects. You can explore healthy ways to cope with lingering uncertainty and make balancing all your personal and professional responsibilities manageable.
If you’re feeling stressed or experiencing burnout related to kids returning to school, talk to your manager about your situation and to learn more about employer-offered resources.
Additionally, talk to your doctor or a licensed mental health professional if you’re concerned about your or your child’s mental health.
- Published in Blog