An outbreak of the measles in rural regions of Texas – exploding from just two cases to nearly 300 and now spreading to Oklahoma, New Mexico and beyond – has caused widespread alarm.

Measles is among the most contagious viral infections and can be extremely dangerous for babies and young children due to its ability to quickly spread from person to person. Humans are the only known hosts for measles.

Measles is a clever virus – it lingers in the air for a couple of hours, even after an infected person leaves the vicinity, and can continue to live on surfaces for a long time, enabling it to spread both through the air and as tiny droplets.

Measles starts off as a severe cold – watery eyes, congestion, coughs, a rash on the back of the cheeks. Unlike infections in which danger has passed by the time a rash appears, a measles rash signals that you are contagious. The window usually begins four days before the rash appears and ends four days after the rash.

As we’ve seen in Texas, measles can spread like wildfire. One in three kids in 1,000 who get measles will pass away due to complications from the viral disease. There’s a reason we vaccinate for it – it’s not just a mild childhood infection we’re talking about here. It can be very serious and even deadly.

To keep measles at bay, we need vaccination rates of 95 percent or higher. When those vaccination rates drop, preventable illnesses like measles – the latter considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 thanks to high vaccination rates – begin to make their way back.

The safest way to prevent measles is vaccination with MMR – measles, mumps, and rubella. Because infants and small children are so vulnerable to measles, the first measles MMR vaccination dose is given at 12 to 15 months, and it is very effective – 93 percent. After a second MMR dose is given when a child is between 4 to 6 years old, overall protection then increases to 98 to 99 percent. It’s an extremely effective vaccine. Getting both vaccine doses is the safest way to protect yourself and your family from measles.

Most exposed and at risk are our “littles,” who are too young to be vaccinated. After six months we can give a travel dose of MMR. This dose doesn’t count toward their vaccine series, but it can provide some level of protection. That said, if you have littles age six to 11 months, who won’t be getting their one-year shots anytime soon, and you’re going to be traveling, consider the travel MMR dose. It provides a level of coverage for the measles. We want to travel and experience new places and if there’s a layer of protection we can give our babies, we want to obviously do that.

When we vaccinate per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine schedule, children will have the best antibody response and receive on-time protection. When delaying vaccines or altering the vaccine schedule, it puts the child at risk for infections like we’re now seeing. Vaccines are safe and effective, and we know they save lives. If we want the measles outbreak to stop, we need to vaccinate.

Dr. Beth Garrett is a pediatrician affiliated with Freeman Health System and based at Freeman Children’s Clinic at 1030 McIntosh Circle Drive, Suite 1. The clinic’s number is 417.347.8750.

Spring officially begins on March 20, but you don’t have to wait until then to get out and enjoy the warmer weather and set the tone for spring and eventually summer with regards to your outdoor exercise routines. 

There are many benefits to exercising outdoors, among them being the boost your body receives from the sunlight and natural Vitamin D absorption, which can lead to an improved mood. Other benefits also include your overall cardiovascular health, as well as kicking that nasty seasonal affective disorder which can keep you down in the winter months. 

March is National Nutrition Month and utilizing the warmer weather that is coming is an excellent way to kickstart your well-being. Below are some key benefits and important considerations for your outdoor exercise routines. 

Sunlight can lead to a Vitamin D boost which is crucial for bone health and immune function.

Spending time outdoors and in nature has been shown to have a positive effect on mood, while reducing stress, lowering anxiety and elevating serotonin levels. 

Warmer temperatures help loosen muscles and allow for a greater range of motion, improving flexibility. 

Outdoor exercise offers a more diverse range of activities than what you can find in a gym or in your own home. 

Getting yourself out in the sun during exercise can help to regulate your sleep patterns, not to mention we all know how much better children sleep after they’ve had a fun workout. The same strategy works for us too!

While exercising outside it is also important to consider some tips for warmer weather. 

Make sure to remain constantly hydrated, while also making sure to apply sunscreen. Think about your clothing as lighter selections make navigating your workout easier with warmer temperatures. 

A gradual increase to your workout regimen is highly recommended and helps your body adjust to the heat and above all – listen to your body. Look for the signs of exhaustion, dizziness, nausea and heavy sweating and seek shelter if you need it. 

With all that said, even if you don’t have a plan to work out, do your body a favor and simply get outdoors. Enjoy the sunlight and be active. It’ll do wonders to your health and mental well-being. 

Aging is inevitable, but how we age is largely within our control. While genetics play a role, research shows that lifestyle choices significantly impact our health, function, and quality of life as we grow older. The good news? Small, consistent changes can make a big difference.

The Problem with Our Current Approach to Health

Our healthcare system excels at treating disease but falls short in preventing it. A staggering 80% of chronic health problems in the U.S. are driven by lifestyle factors, including:

• Tobacco use

• Poor diet and inactivity (both linked to obesity)

• Excessive alcohol consumption

• High blood pressure and cholesterol

The key takeaway? Many of these risk factors can be improved or even reversed with healthy habits.

More Function = Less Aging

Aging is often associated with decline, but it doesn’t have to be. Research suggests that maintaining function—through movement, diet, and social engagement—can slow the aging process and enhance overall well-being.

Regular exercise, for example, supports heart health, brain function, and mobility as we age. Cardiovascular fitness is linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline, and strength training helps combat sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), which can affect independence.

The Brain-Heart Connection

Cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s, is strongly influenced by lifestyle. The numbers speak for themselves:

• 53% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk with proper nutrition  

• 40% lower risk of Alzheimer’s with regular exercise  

• 30% less brain shrinkage with effective stress management  

• 70% lower dementia risk with improved sleep  

• 48% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk with social and mental stimulation  

Maintaining a healthy heart also benefits brain function. A 40% reduction in dementia risk has been observed in individuals who prioritize heart health through diet, exercise and stress management.

Strength, Aging, and Longevity

Loss of muscle mass is a common part of aging—adults can lose up to 30% of muscle between ages 35 and 65. This impacts strength, balance, and even lifespan. Research shows clearly that strength and muscle growth are achievable at any age!

Charles Eugster, a 93-year-old fitness enthusiast, put it best: "You can have a beach body at 90! If you eat right and exercise properly, you can be that guy at any age."

Diet and Aging: Food as Medicine

We eat nearly 800 pounds of food per year, so what’s on our plate matters. Diets high in ultra-processed foods increase the risk of cognitive decline by 16%, whereas a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods lowers the risk by 12%.

The Mediterranean diet, rich in whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats, is one of the best options for heart and brain health.

Final Thoughts

Aging well isn’t about avoiding birthdays—it’s about maintaining function and enjoying life to the fullest. By making small, intentional changes in movement, nutrition, sleep, and stress management, we can significantly improve our quality of life.

Are you ready to take control of how you age? Start today with small, sustainable steps toward a healthier future!

Checkups Can Help Provide Better Results
“I feel healthy, so do I really need to get screened?” This is a question we may be tempted to ask. However, even when we’re feeling our best, health screenings are vital because they bring to light conditions or diseases we may have even if we’re not currently showing symptoms.

In most cases, the earlier a problem is detected, the more effective the treatment will be. Health screenings also give us a baseline of our current health, which can be helpful for comparison in future settings.

Early Detection Screenings are more in-depth screenings. They include:

Stroke Screening/Carotid Artery
Plaque buildup is an abnormal collection of calcium and cholesterol on the artery walls. Blocked carotid arteries can restrict blood flow to the brain or break off and become lodged in a blood vessel, resulting in a stroke. Through ultrasound technology, carotid arteries are scanned along each side of the neck to detect narrowing or blockages. Early detection will allow you to take an appropriate course of action that may reduce future risk of stroke or other health concerns.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
An abdominal aortic aneurism – a ballooning of the wall in the abdominal aorta – is most often caused by plaque buildup. Noticeable symptoms of an AAA are uncommon, and you may never know you have it. Early detection can increase your survival rate by 50% or more compared to emergency treatment after a ruptured aneurysm.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Screening
Peripheral arterial disease mainly affects the arteries located in arms, legs, and feet. When fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls, blood flow is restricted. PAD often goes undiagnosed until painful symptoms start. Early detection could also help prevent future heart attacks and stroke.

Thyroid Ultrasound Screening
Thyroid ultrasound screening is a sound wave image. Thyroid ultrasounds can be used to detect tumors, cysts, goiters or abnormal lymph nodes of the thyroid gland.

Osteoporosis Risk Assessment
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Men and women 55 years and older are at greater risk for osteoporosis, but it can occur at any age. Poor diet and lack of exercise can contribute to an osteoporosis diagnosis. Early detection allows a physician to start appropriate treatment.

Although you might feel fine, it is a good idea to check your numbers. This includes blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and weight. Also having a few in-depth screenings can give you even more information about your health and receive treatment right away if needed. Screenings are a simple way to check your health.

Southwest Missouri experienced a notable decrease in the number of overdose deaths in early 2024 – dropping from 130 deaths through the first six months of 2023 to 100 during the same timeframe in 2024.

Statewide, 802 people died from all drug type overdose during the first six months of 2024, down 23 percent from the 1,048 overdose deaths recorded during the same period in 2023. 

According to a 2024 report from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, opioid involved deaths dropped from 777 deaths to 523 deaths statewide – a 30 percent drop. Fentanyl-involved deaths, according to the report, dropped from 732 to 472 deaths. 

There are several factors why the state has seen such a dramatic drug overdose drop, and it’s partly due to the availability of the live-saving drug naloxone. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and restoring breathing, preventing harmful drugs from slowing or stopping the victim’s breathing that can lead to death.
 
Getting Narcan in people’s hands is pivotal. While safe and effective, the reversal drug only works if a person has opiates in their system. Educating people on the proper use of the drug has proven key and encouraging providers to have it readily available has been a huge benefit.

Educating both medical providers and the community as a whole helps to reduce stigma and can encourage people who are suffering to seek treatment. The availability of medication assisted treatments, including medications like the synthetic opioid buprenorphine helps treat opioid cravings – and has also proven beneficial. 

Remember – education is the best way to keep overdose deaths down and to reduce stigma.
 

As leaves fall and the air turns cooler, we know the holidays are fast approaching. In my house Christmas cheer has already begun as we put out our holiday village.

All the special treats and extra gatherings shared with loved ones may make eating during the holiday season a bit tricky while having diabetes. Remember the importance of striving towards feeling our best and keeping blood sugar under control throughout the holiday season. Keep healthy goals in mind and make the holidays more with respect to being with the ones we care about and enjoying the season overall versus focusing only on the food. There is so much to enjoy over the holidays and keeping diabetes controlled can be easier than you may think.

Some suggestions for navigating the holidays:

•    Avoid skipping meals or snacks before holiday gatherings, this may sabotage your goals.
•    Choose the foods you have looked forward to and enjoy them mindfully.
•    If you want more than one serving, consider portion size and take the second serving to go.
•    Enjoying more movement on days you are eating holiday favorites, such as a morning or evening walk.
•    Take time for yourself during the busyness of the holidays. Read a book, craft, listen to holiday music, or take a drive and look at holiday displays.
•    Be kind to yourself; do not judge or feel guilt when wanting things that taste good.
•    Test blood sugar often so you are aware of how the holidays are affecting your blood sugars.

Diabetes Plate Method
Use the Diabetes Plate Method to navigate your meal and keep carbohydrate portions in check while still enjoying them. Divide your plate into 3 sections, ½ the plate for non-starchy vegetables such as green beans, carrots, broccoli, and salad. The rest of the plate is divided into quarters. Fill one quarter with lean meats such as turkey or ham. The other quarter is for carbohydrate rich foods such as potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

Remember what your personal blood sugar goals are. Continue to take medications as prescribed.
Try to remake a family favorite recipe or dish as a diabetes friendly version.

Replace one starchy food choice with a non-starchy vegetable on your holiday table.

Stay Moving...
Remember to include physical activities during the holidays with family and special friends. Physical activity does not only have to be going to the gym or exercising, being active can include many ideas. Going to a park or holiday display in your town and walking around or attend an outdoor Holiday Market. Look for activities and find events in your area to get out and about. There is also usually a Holiday Turkey Trot race or walk in many towns, sign up! Consider taking a family walk after a holiday meal, throwing the ball in the yard with children and grandchildren, a WII dance off, or playing active board games such as PICTIONARY. Memories are made through many moments.

Follow this link for more ideas and a step-by-step guide to managing your holidays.
https://diabetesfoodhub.org/blog/your-diabetes-friendly-holiday-toolkit

It’s no secret that one of the most recognizable faces in the Joplin region, Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker, is a natural cook. She finds the activity relaxing, often drawing recipes from her private collection of 300-plus cookbooks. With the holidays approaching, Paula Baker has taken time from her busy schedule to publicize some of her favorite holiday recipes.
She hopes you enjoy them!

Happy Holidays!

Pumpkin Bread
5 eggs
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 can (15 oz.) solid-pack pumpkin
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 pkg. (3 oz. each) cook and serve vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add oil and pumpkin, beat until smooth. Combine remaining ingredients; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture. Pour batter into 5 greased 5x 1/2x2 inch loaf pans. Bake at 325 for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to baking racks to cool completely. May also be baked in 2 greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pans for 75-80 minutes.

Baked Santa Fe Dip
1 8.75 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 oz.)
1 cup shredded M-J cheese (4 oz.)
1 4-oz. can diced green chili peppers, drained 
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons finely chopped canned chipotle chili pepper in adobo sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup chopped, seeded tomato (1 small)
1/4 sliced green onions (2) 
Tortilla chips and/or vegetable dippers

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, stir together corn, cheddar cheese, M-J cheese, green chili peppers, mayonnaise, chipotle pepper and garlic powder. Spread mixture in an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Bake, uncovered, about 25 minutes or until heated through. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine tomato and green onion. Sprinkle tomato mixture over baked cheese mixture. Serve with chips and/or vegetables. Yields 14 servings.

Peanut Butter Cake
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
  
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 15x1x1 in baking pan. In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. In a small saucepan, combine water and butter; bring just to a boil. Stir in peanut butter and oil until blended. Stir into flour mixture. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, whisking constantly. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

FROSTING
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
4 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
Mix well and frost cooled cake

GLAZE OPTION
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon milk
16 oz. powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla   
Combine first 3 ingredients over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until spreading consistency. Spread over warm milk.

Christmas Punch 
4 cups cranberry juice
2 cups pineapple juice
3 quarts Ginger ale, cold
1 tablespoon almond flavoring
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
Combine all ingredients. Stir until sugar is dissolved and thoroughly mixed.

The Best Chicken and Dumplings
3/4 cup flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 broiler/fryer chicken (about 3 pounds) cut up
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine or apple cider
2 teaspoons sugar
2 bay leaves
5 whole peppercorns 
DUMPLINGS
1 1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup 2% milk
1 tablespoon butter, melted
SOUP
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
Additional salt and pepper to taste 

In a shallow bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, salt and pepper. Add chicken, 1 piece at a time, and toss to coat; shake off excess. In a 6-quarrt stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in batches on all sides; remove from pan. Add onion, carrots and celery to same pan; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until onion is tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in 1/4 cup flour until blended. Gradually add stock, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, sugar, bay leaves and peppercorns. Return chicken to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 20-25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. For dumplings, in a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk milk and melted butter until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened (do not overmix). Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls into a parchment-lined sheet; set aside. Remove chicken from stockpot; cool slightly. Discard bay leaves and skim fat from soup. Remove skin and bones from chicken and discard. Using 2 forks, coarsely shred meat into 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces; return to soup. Cook, covered, on high until mixture reaches a simmer.  Drop dumplings on top of simmering soup, a few at a time. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of dumplings comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering). Gently stir in cream, parsley and thyme. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. 
 

The holiday season is a time for families to come together for fellowship, togetherness and the traditional “breaking bread.” 

Perhaps the two most popular times of the year where bread is broken (and broken again, and again) is Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. While the hugs and kisses go a long way, it’s the food that brings everyone together at a single table beneath a single roof. Perhaps the Italians said it best when they coined the phrase – “You can’t live a full life on an empty stomach.”

More times than not, during these two celebrated days of feasting, there is a favored dish that sparks more than a few warm memories from way back when.  

With these “warm memories” in mind, we recently asked a handful of Freeman Health System employees about their favorite holiday dishes and the precious memories tied to them. 
Below are their answers. 

Happy holidays, everyone! 

Kris Drake, Wellness Coordinator: “Our family has enjoyed wild rice casserole on Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. The night before Thanksgiving, my parents, daughter, brother, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews would gather to make homemade pies and prep the casserole. What made it taste so special was having a chance to visit with family as we chopped the celery and green peppers as well as onions that went into the casserole and to reminisce of years gone by.”

Sarah Horine, Director of Public Relations: “I love stuffing! Mostly this is my favorite holiday food due to the feelings associated with indulgence. I have decidedly different versions of stuffing nestled in my core memory rotation. Each variation being offered by my grandmothers and my aunt; all three wonderful cooks I have been blessed to know over the course of my life. Although different in presentation, texture and taste, each version welcomes feelings of family, togetherness, comfort, laughter and love. 

“One version, in particular, is my favorite due to the significance of the recipe and experience associated with passing down the tradition of providing this small portion of nostalgia to our family. I spent three years living in West Texas. This was our first time away from family during the holidays. I wanted to provide my small family of three with the continued tradition and care provided through holiday meals. My preparation was simply to call my grandmother to get recipes! She shared her version of her stuffing recipe, meaning I received directions such as, “a bit,” “some,” and other vague ingredient measurements. I treasure, and can still hear, our laughter, and my grandmother’s occasional annoyance, during that conversation. My family was afforded the experience of tradition during that first, West Texas holiday meal. 

My grandmother has since passed away. I now have the honor of bringing “Grandma’s Stuffing” as I just so happen to be the only family member who ever received her recipe. Each year as I prepare the bread, I can vividly remember walking into her home to see trays of bread out drying during the lead up to a holiday dinner. I am taken back to her home when I smell the spices, now measured by heart, used to season the dish. When we serve the meal, I am honored when our loved ones express how it “tastes just like Grandma’s” with a sentimental smile. 

“Stuffing invades my senses and emotions, while reminding me of the tradition passed down to me: familial commitment of care for our loved ones.”

Lisa Nelson, Pink Door Boutique Coordinator: “It's a toss-up between sweet potato casserole and dressing. Sweet potato is like having dessert first and it's okay! Throw on some whipped topping later and it gets even better! My Mom could make the best dressing ever! My Dad always loved it on the dryer side, and then cover it with gravy, so I have always loved the corner or end pieces so it would be just a little bit crispy. Gets even better rewarmed. It makes me miss my Mom so much!  Good news is...my dear mother-in-law makes great dressing as well!!!”  

Brandy Miller-Turner, Development Office and CMN Manager: “Whenever I think of Christmas, the things that make me smile always begin with the memories of sweet enticing aromas, coming from a warm kitchen. 
“I had a grandmother who was a master at making Christmas candy and the very best Christmas cookies. We would fill the entire length of her massive kitchen with many varieties of candies, fudge and cookies to share with family and friends over the holidays. 

“My favorite treat to make is Magic Cookie Bars, also known as Seven Layer Bars. They are full of rich chocolate, crunchy graham cracker crumbs and flaked coconut along with sweetened condensed milk. I always love to dress my Magic Cookie Bars up for the holidays by adding some red and green M&Ms. This is such a fun way to give them a bit of color and added texture. Magic Cookie Bars include something for everyone and that’s part of the appeal along with being super easy to make!” 

Danae Taylor: Volunteer Services and Gift Shop Manager: “One of my favorite holiday foods is my Grandma’s chicken and noodles. After a grandma has passed, her recipes often become even more special, taking on a whole new depth of meaning. This recipe allows us to reconnect us to her memory and reminisce on the days of old through the familiar smells and rituals of her preparing the dish. When cooking her chicken and noodles, it brings back memories of her laughter and the warmth of my childhood home. Grandma’s recipes are just another way to keep her legacy alive.”

The breast cancer treatments are over and now it’s time to return to work. Life after breast cancer means returning to some familiar things and also making some new choices. After a marathon of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment that may last six months to a year, women are eager to get back to a normal life again, and that often includes getting back to work. Transitioning from breast cancer treatment patient to breast cancer survivor is embracing the “new woman” and entering into the “new normal.”

Returning to work post-treatment can be an emotional experience for many women who often feel conflicted between wanting to go on with life and being able to cope with the daily pressures. On one hand, women look forward to returning to a work routine and on the other hand, they dread it. Adding to the awkwardness are the after-effects of treatment such as fatigue resulting from chemotherapy and/or the accumulated effects of other treatments as well as a phenomenon some people call “chemobrain” – mental changes such as memory deficits and the inability to focus.

Adding to the frustrating mix, co-workers tell survivors how they look and ask questions about treatment. How open women are with their co-workers about their breast cancer and health after treatment is a personal decision. Some co-workers will be understanding and offer help while others may be uncomfortable discussing it or resent that they had to take on extra duties on days when the person was absent. Others may ask intrusive questions about the breast cancer, the person’s health, why they’ve been gone or even avoid them. Based on the relationship with co-workers, women can decide if they want to share anything, what works best for them and their situation, think ahead about how they will handle other people’s reactions and have a plan for what and how much they want to share.

It’s important for women to make sure they’re medically cleared by their health care provider before returning to work. They can also talk with their employer about possible options, like flex-time, job sharing, working from home or other options that may help ease them back into the demands of a job. For some people, the transition to working full-time may be easy, and for others it may take some adjustment.

The benefits of going back to work include helping ladies keep their sense of who they are and how they fit in. It might even boost their self-esteem, not to mention their income. Returning to their job also reminds women that they have a life apart from breast cancer – they are a valued employee, a great boss or a trusted co-worker.

Sometimes breast cancer can make women feel isolated and lonely, and being around people can be a great comfort. Support groups, online chat forums and social media groups offer the chance to air challenges with others that have had breast cancer. This, too, helps with the healing process to speak openly and honestly about the post-surgery struggles.

The good news is, with time, little by little, most women start to feel like their regular selves once medications are completed and the exhaustion subsides. It takes time for the “new you” to settle in. Truly, time heals many wounds and having a job can divert attention away from the stressors of the breast cancer journey and allow women to refocus on other things in life and create their own “new normal.”

About the Author
Lesa Deardorff has worked at Freeman Health System for 37 years and served as director of radiology services for 21 years. She oversees the Freeman Radiology Department, which offers advanced technology and top-of-the-line ultrasound, x-ray, nuclear medicine, CT, PET/CT and mammography services. To learn more, visit freemanhealth.com/services/radiology or call 417.347.6611.
 

If I polled a room today and asked how many individuals were allergic to penicillin or one of its siblings – such as amoxicillin – up to a quarter of those people would raise their hands. You may even be one of them. But have you ever wondered if that was true?

September 28 is National Penicillin Allergy Day, which celebrates the day Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin in 1928. The discovery of penicillin was so significant that it merited a Nobel Prize in 1945, and it’s no exaggeration that penicillin has save millions of lives.

More people report an allergy to penicillin than any other drug – up to 25 percent of the population. However, up to one-third of those individuals are unable to pinpoint their specific reactions, which isn’t surprising, considering as many as 75 percent of those reported reactions happened before they were 3 years old.

Many reported reactions – such as headache, diarrhea or even a family member with penicillin allergy – aren’t even the result of true penicillin allergies. Rash is the most commonly reported reaction, but it can be difficult to differentiate between rashes caused by an allergy or those caused by viruses, which are extremely common in young children.

So what’s the big deal? The solution seems simple: Avoid penicillin and we’ll be fine, right? Not exactly. The antibiotics used in place of penicillin are often less effective than penicillin antibiotics and carry a higher chance of infections such as Clostridium difficile, a serious diarrheal illness that can require hospitalization.

On top of that, the allergy is associated with longer hospital stays as well as drug-resistant bacterial infections such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE), which can be difficult to treat.

What allergy  ‘challenges’ reveal

Up to this point in the article, you may have noticed that I use the term “reported allergy” instead of “allergy.” I do this because less than 5 percent of people who report penicillin allergies would truly be allergic if tested.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommend actively challenging reported penicillin allergies.

These testing “challenges” can range from simply discussing reported reactions to skin pricks– in which a qualified physician injects a small amount of penicillin or one of its derivatives in the top layer of skin and looks for a reaction. Another challenge involves administering a dose of a penicillin to gauge a true reaction. All this testing can be performed safely, in an office setting safely. Less than 4 percent of individuals challenged have had reactions – usually mild ones such as a rash – with no reports of serious reactions, such as anaphylaxis.

Those who experience true reactions to penicillin can benefit from challenging. After five years, up to 50 percent will no longer be allergic to penicillin on testing, and this number increases to 80 percent after 10 years.

Challenging a reported penicillin allergy is well worth it, with some patients reporting savings of nearly $2,000 per person, per year, in healthcare costs.

Ask your physician or healthcare provider about your penicillin allergy and see if you would benefit from a direct challenge or referral to a board certified allergist. Freeman Health System is proud to be the region’s only hospital offering penicillin challenges for low-risk hospitalized patients.

References

Castells M, Khan DA, Phillips EJ. Penicillin allergy. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(24):2338-2351.
National Penicillin Allergy Day. NPAD. Published June 28, 2017. Accessed September 25, 2024. https://nationalpenicillinallergyday.com/

Stone CA Jr, Trubiano J, Coleman DT, Rukasin CRF, Phillips EJ. The challenge of de-labeling penicillin allergy. Allergy. 2020;75(2):273-288.

Macy E, Contreras R. Health care use and serious infection prevalence associated with penicillin “allergy” in hospitalized patients: A cohort study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;133(3):790-796.

Khan DA, Banerji A, Blumenthal KG, et al. Drug allergy: A 2022 practice parameter update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2022;150(6):1333-1393.

Cooper L, Harbour J, Sneddon J, Seaton RA. Safety and efficacy of de-labelling penicillin allergy in adults using direct oral challenge: a systematic review. JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2021;3(1):dlaa123.

Sullivan TJ, Wedner HJ, Shatz GS, Yecies LD, Parker CW. Skin testing to detect penicillin allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1981;68(3):171-180.

Blanca M, Torres MJ, García JJ, et al. Natural evolution of skin test sensitivity in patients allergic to beta-lactam antibiotics. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;103(5 Pt 1):918-924.