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have_you_heard From Acetaminophen to Zoonoses, up to date and interesting topics for you to use for the health and well being of your family.

Chidate! A simple guide for preventing muscle injuries at work

Chidate! Una guía para prevenir lesiones musculares en el trabajo

FDA Reminds the Public about the Potential for Life-Threatening Harm from Accidental Exposure to Fen

[4-18-2012] FDA reminds patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals of the importance of appropriate storage, use, application, and disposal of fentanyl patches (including Duragesic and generic products) to prevent potential life-threatening harm from accidental exposure to the active ingredient, fentanyl.

Recently, FDA evaluated a series of 26 cases of pediatric accidental exposures to fentanyl patches reported over the past 15 years. Of these 26 cases, ten resulted in death and 12 in hospitalization. Sixteen of the 26 cases occurred in children two years old or younger.

Young children are at particular risk of accidental exposure to fentanyl patches. Their mobility and curiosity provide opportunities for them to find lost patches, take improperly discarded patches from the trash, or find improperly stored patches, all of which may result in patches being placed in their mouths or sticking to their skin.

Additionally, young children are at risk of exposure when being held by someone wearing a partially detached patch which can then transfer to the child. Exposure of young children to a fentanyl patch can lead to serious adverse events even death, due to the amount of fentanyl present in the patches. This can even occur with used patches which still contain a considerable amount of fentanyl.

Playing It Safe With Eggs

What You Need to Know

Fresh eggs must be handled carefully to avoid the possibility of foodborne illness, often called "food poisoning." Even eggs with clean, uncracked shells may occasionally contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause an intestinal infection. (PDF)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that 142,000 illnesses each year are caused by consuming eggs contaminated with Salmonella. FDA has put regulations in place to help prevent contamination of eggs on the farm and during shipping and storage. But consumers play a key role in preventing illness associated with eggs. In fact, the most effective way to prevent egg-related illness is by knowing how to buy, store, handle and cook eggs — or foods that contain them — safely. Follow these safe handling tips to help protect yourself and your family.