News from the Town Nurse - August 2023

We are truly in the dog days of summer! So, I’d like to reiterate how important it is to remain hydrated, and if you have respiratory, cardiac or other illnesses, consider staying indoor as much as possible when the temperatures are above 85 degress-90 degrees. The same applies to small children, who may not recognize that they are overheating. As we know here in Rehoboth, temperatures in the 80s-90s are sometimes made significantly worse with elevated humidity. The following website, though designed to report air quality, will also provide information on temperature and humidity measurements: https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/massachusetts/rehoboth. 

For children headed off to camp, please be sure they have extra water available to them, they should have a hat for protection against the sun, along with spray sunscreen which is easier for a smaller child to re-apply.

Our other concern throughout the summer, particularly as a rural community, is our increased risk for exposure to tick and mosquito borne illnesses. I am seeing an increase in cases of tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis. To protect yourself, wear light colored, with pant legs tucked into your socks. This will help you to see the tick on your clothing (however the deer ticks, the worst culprit, are tiny and hard to see). Wearing a DEET containing spray will help deter ticks as well. Though the tick needs to be attached to the skin for about 24-36 hours in order to infect the body with its bacteria, doing a self-check as soon as you come in from outdoor activities, particularly in our gardens or during activities outdoor activities in grassy or wooded areas, can be crucial to your protection against the tiny devils! If you find a tick imbedded in your skin, and see a bull’s eye (a reddened circle around the tick bit area) please contact your Primary Care Provider as soon as possible for probable treatment with doxycycline.

We are also hearing news reports that mosquito infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE, or triple E) have been identified in Massachusetts. There are no reported human cases this far. However, protection is key. Wear long sleeves and long pants if you are out in the evening. DEET containing sprays are protective, however staying indoors or in a screened area during twilight and night hours, peak mosquito biting hours, is your best protection. Remember to empty any containers with water in them. The water is prime real estate for mosquito breeding ground! For information on many tick and mosquito borne illnesses please visit: https://www.mass.gov/fact-sheets-on-infectious-diseases 

The last reminder during these dog days is to be careful with foods we take outside for our cookouts, particularly those that need to be kept cold. Most of these foods need to be kept below 40 degrees and will grow bacteria quickly when in temperatures warmer than that. For more information, please go to the following web site: Food Safety by Events and Seasons | www.FoodSafety.gov. 

I will be away for the month of August, but Stephanie will be in the office for 2-3 half days/week. Please see the included calendar. Sincerest best wishes for the rest of the summer,

Geri