A new study comparing kids in the U.S. and the Phillipines has confirmed that growing up in a too-clean environment can boost inflammation levels, which in turn may increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic ills in adulthood. So is it still a good idea to get our kids to wash their hands all the time to prevent the spread of H1N1 and other cold and flu germs?

Coincidentally, this week two housemates familiar with my book Good Germs, Bad Germs emailed me with the hope of resolving just this debate over H1N1 and hand washing. Their household includes a 5-year-old as well as an adult with a donated kidney.

Housemate #1 had been urging the five-year-old to wash her hands frequently "to prevent the spread of too many germs," including H1N1. Housemate #2 countered that the germs that ended up on the child's hand were good for her--helping her build up resistance to disease.

The title of Good Germs, Bad Germs goes right to the heart of their question. So I'm glad to offer my two cents, based on the research of immunologists and infectious disease specialists.It's true that exposure to "germs" (i.e. viruses and bacteria) is necessary to strengthen and balance the developing immune system. This appears to be most important in early childhood.

Fortunately, this exposure doesn't have to involve the kind of germs that make you sick. In fact, the vast majority of germs in our environment are harmless. They're in our water, on our pets, in good, old fashioned dirt, everywhere. And that turns out to be a very good thing. Our world and our bodies could not functional normally without them.

By contrast, only a tiny minority of the viruses and bacteria we encounter each day make their "living" by causing disease. That said, this rogue's gallery includes some nasty characters, with the H1N1 influenza virus now among them. Such "bad germs" are definitely worth avoiding.

Bottom line: With H1N1 circulating widely in our communities, the experts agree that it's definitely a good idea for everyone to wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-gel sanitizer.

This is most important after being around other people who might be infected. Someone carrying H1N1 touches something (school desk, office keyboard, doorknob, etc.) and deposits the virus. You touch that something and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth and, bingo, that virus has found a new home.  

Frequent hand washing is even more important if you live with anyone with an immune-compromising condition. This includes organ recipients, who must take powerful immune-suppressing drugs to prevent their bodies from rejecting the donated organ. 

Science journalist Jessica Snyder Sachs is the author of Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival in a Bacterial World. Got a question or comment about swine flu? Post it here. Throughout the flu season, Jessica will be answering your questions on all things influenza.

Economic stress really hurts. Literally. So finds a new survey conducted by the American Pain Foundation. Nearly 7 in 10 people (68 percent) with acute back pain or other muscle strains and sprains report that the recession has played a role in their pain. More than a third (37 percent) said the recession had a big painful impact.

"People are willing to admit that the stress of this recession is having an effect on their bodies," says Michael Roizen, MD., RealAge.com founder and chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic. "They are having to work harder now, and the stress of the economic situation seems to be having a physical stress on them." Working with King Pharmaceuticals, RealAge has launched a tool to help people prevent and treat back (and other) strains and sprains. 

If you're anything like me, going to the doctor falls pretty far down on the list of things you want to do. Still, I try to schedule regular checkup with all the appropriate doctors. But vaccines? Well, I stopped worrying about them around the time I graduated from high school.

Apparently I'm not alone. A new study commissioned by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) found that most young adults aged 18 to 26 are woefully unaware of the steps they should be taking to avoid vaccine-preventable diseases.
 
According to Dr. William Schaffner, NFID president-elect, 50,000 adults die in United States each year as the result of diseases that are potentially vaccine-preventable.

Some statistics:

• 84 % of Americans over 50 know they need to get a new tetanus shot every 10 years, compared to only 49 % of adults aged 18 to 26.
• Only 30 % of young adults knew that the flu, which is preventable with a vaccine, kills almost 40,000 Americans a year. Compare this to the 59% of those older than 50, who are aware of the benefits of the flu vaccine.
  

It's really all about awareness, says NFID medical director, Dr. Susan J. Rehm, and she's hoping doctors will up their own awareness of adult vaccinations and spread this information to their patients.

The good news is, 87% of adults are likely to get vaccinated if their doctor advises it.

Bookmark Health Beat and follow us on Twitter

 

Q: My son was just diagnosed with high cholesterol yesterday. His blood pressure was high as well.  He's an active kid, but I do have to watch his sweet tooth. Any tips and ideas on menus and behavior changes would be very much appreciated.  He is a bit overweight, though very active with karate and baseball. I don't want him to be overly stressed about this so I'm still trying to figure out how to go about telling him.  He tends to be a worrier.

 

I also have two other daughters so I know that these changes need to be incorporated into the whole family. We've made small changes but I'm sure there's more to be done...HELP!
--csg0913

 

A: You're on the right track, not wanting your son to be too focused on his weight, but now is the time to make some major lifestyle changes that can really pay off for good health. This always translates into better health for the whole family. You're making some good changes, and small changes over time are the way to go when it comes to health eating. For your son, specifically, you need to determine whether he truly is eating a healthy diet - plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy, as well as limiting fast food. This kind of eating supports weight control, as well as healthy cholesterol and blood pressure. Plus, quantity counts - even healthy foods have calories. Encourage consumption of colorful fruits and vegetables - which fall into the "unlimited consumption" categories for children.

Also, while it's great that he's in karate and baseball, you might want him to encourage some sustained aerobic activity, like bike riding, or a trampoline. He's also at an age where he'll be having a growth spurt and growing taller - so his weight and height will "even out", as long as he's eating a healthy diet and staying physically active.

Suggest that he (and your other children) come to the supermarket, and look for some new, healthful foods for meals and snacks. Look for some treats, but in single-serving packages - deprivation leads to overeating and sneak eating. Include your children in food preparation, and cooking. It's important to limit consumption of fast food, and processed items, which contain loads of hidden fat, salt, and calories. Good luck!

 

Ask Madelyn a question and look for her answers every week on HealthBeat
Visit Madelyn's Blog, Health Journal

Get more updates by following us on Twitter

Madelyn H. Fernstrom, PhD, CNS, is the iVillage Health Editor-at-Large, Diet & Nutrition Editor for the Today Show and the Founder and Director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Weight Management Center.

When I entered my first tanning bed at the age of 16, I thought I was doing a good thing and avoiding the dangers of the sun. The tanning salon perpetuated that idea, claiming that tanning beds were a safer way to get my daily dose of vitamin D than soaking up the sun. My mom felt otherwise--but she's my mom and I was 16. Of course I wasn't going to listen.

But as I've come to learn, Mom is always right. I had no idea that, just like sun tanning, a tanning bed put me at risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. I was just trying to look good for junior prom.

Today's teens who want to get that faux glow for prom have a much tougher time of it than I did. Seventeen states are considering laws banning indoor tanning for children under 14 (unless it is deemed medically necessary) and also requiring teens between the ages of 14 and 17 to have a signed consent form from their parent or guardian.

That's great and all, but what about adults who insist on tanning? I've heard various reasons why people well over the age of 18 continue to tan, from it being a favorite summertime pastime to using it to disguise figure flaws. But with over 62,000 adults getting diagnosed with skin cancer every year, perhaps it's time to pass a law requiring adults to sign a waiver before setting one pale foot in a tanning bed. Having to stop and acknowledge that what you're doing is bad for your health may be cause enough to stop and think twice.

My prom days ended over 10 years ago now (sigh), and I have not set foot in a tanning bed since. I also make sure my daily moisturizer has sunscreen in it and I cover up at the beach. I've learned to listen to my mom, about my skincare regimen at least, mostly because her skin does not look like that of someone who's approaching her mid-50s.

--Jennifer Merritt

Producer

Of the nearly ten million Americans estimated to have osteoporosis, about eight million are women, so it's no surprise that bone health is near the top of just about every list of women's health concerns. While it's a very common disease, some simple steps to prevention can get those rates down--and keep you from becoming one of the statistics.

Taking care of your bones may sound tough, since you can't necessarily see the results. But the National Osteoporosis Foundation makes it easier with five steps to follow for good bone health.

• Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D
• Keep weight-bearing exercise in your routine
• Quit smoking and don't abuse alcohol
• Keep an open conversation with your doctor
• When your doctor recommends, get a bone density test

For an in-depth look at healthy bones, check out Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom's top tips. With Osteoporosis Awareness Month coming up in May, we'll see plenty of news and updates about osteoporosis treatment and prevention. So stay tuned to our bone health news for more updates.

"Calcium 101" with Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom

Get more updates by following us on Twitter.