Greetings from the National Library of Medicine and MedlinePlus.gov

Regards to all our listeners!

I’m Rob Logan, Ph.D. senior staff National Library of Medicine substituting this week for Donald Lindberg, M.D, the Director of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Here is what’s new this week in MedlinePlus.

To listen to Dr. Lindberg's comments, click here

It’s the dreaded season when hurricanes form in the Gulf of Mexico (and the Atlantic Ocean) and smash the U.S. coastline and surrounding states with driving winds, water and occasional floods. Hurricane Katrina taught millions of Americans (the hard way) never to be complacent and always be prepared for natural disasters. 

So, let’s talk about some emergency preparedness information and resources -- so when time is short, you will be ready. Some of the NLM staff was in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast post-Katrina and we will punctuate official suggestions with some of the real world advice that evacuees and residents gave us.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide some helpful tips for hurricane preparation, a list of needed emergency supplies, and how to prepare to evacuate. By the way, the CDC’s suggestions seem to apply to any natural disaster – not just hurricanes. They are good counsel -- regardless of where you live.

First, to prepare for a hurricane, the CDC recommends you (among other things):

• Identify potential home hazards and how to protect them before the winds hit (such as protecting windows, sealing doors and securing things like an outdoors flag pole). Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards, place large strips of masking, adhesive or duct tape on windows to reduce flying glass

• Get a fire extinguisher and make sure you (and others at home) know how to use it

• Secure your most important papers (such as insurance policies, a will, licenses, a copy of physician prescriptions and a list of medications) plus cherished letters, photos and mementos. Store them all in the most secure place possible and do not leave them in a basement or near the floor

• Power up needed emergency communication gear, such as cell phones. For a few days after Hurricane Katrina, only text messaging worked in much of the greater New Orleans area. Other communication devices, such as landline or cell phones, did not return for some time

• Secure a pet. (In addition to its sobering human toll, we all remember harrowing images of the dogs and cats left stranded in New Orleans in September 2005)

• Fill sinks and bathtubs with water (before the storm hits) as a reservoir for washing.

In addition, the CDC urges you to have the following emergency supplies:

• Several clear containers of water. You need about five gallons of drinking water per person to get one person through 3-5 days. Another sad memory of Katrina was seeing adults and kids beg for fresh water in downtown New Orleans (sometimes just outside a state-of-the-art convention center)

• It also helps to have water purification supplies, such as chlorine and iodine and other tablets. Other water purity products, such as pen-like devices (that you insert into water) and water bottle purification kits, are available. The latter are often sold at hardware stores or shops and web sites that cater to international travelers --and often cost between $45-$100. The CDC notes that a cheaper alternative is to use ordinary household chlorine bleach to purify water. But please use this sparingly

• Make sure you have a battery powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries. Better yet, get a wind up (or a solar) power radio and flashlights. Many Katrina victims told us that windups were very helpful two years ago. Their price range is between $20-$90. Do not rely on cable, satellite, over the air TV, or the internet, which tend to have problems either broadcasting – or become inaccessible without power. Incidentally, local U.S. radio and television stations in affected storm areas become emergency broadcasters – so, listen for instructions, such as to evacuate, stay home, or head for a neighborhood shelter. One of the problems during Katrina is some folks did not know which radio and TV stations were local, regional or national. In emergencies, it’s the local stations that often provide neighborhood, emergency information

• Stock up on prescription medicines and special medical needs. Most drug stores carry inexpensive first aid kits, which are invaluable for cuts, bruises, blisters, and the like. Katrina’s wrath and subsequent flooding did not spare drugstores -- and many persons soon ran out of needed medications

• Get disposable cleaning cloths, such as ‘baby wipes’ for the whole family to use in case bathing is unavailable

• Store some soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins and personal hygiene gear (remember your neighborhood store may be closed for some time)

• For your car (SUV, van or truck), get food, water, maps, booster cables, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and sleeping bags.      

In addition to the steps noted above, the CDC suggests when you evacuate you should:

• fill up your car (or vehicle) with gas
• fill clean water containers
• turn off electricity, gas, and water supplies.

If emergency radio stations, the police or the National Guard order you not to evacuate, the CDC explains you should:

• keep listening to local emergency broadcasts
• stay indoors until the storm clears
• stay away from windows and exterior doors. Take shelter in a bathroom or basement
• avoid going outside in a hurricane if suddenly there is calm period. This could be the ‘eye’ of a hurricane which seems eerily tranquil but is quickly eclipsed by violent weather.

To find the CDC’s hurricane preparedness information within MedlinePlus.gov, just type ‘hurricane’ in the search box on MedlinePlus’ home page. A health topic page called ‘natural disasters’ will pop up. The link, called ‘Key facts about hurricane readiness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),’ is within the ‘Related Issues’ section on this page.

The CDC also has a separate website, accessible from MedlinePlus.gov, that provides helpful tips about preventing infectious diseases post-hurricane or a major storm.

Among the CDC’s insights are:

• Rare infections disease, such as cholera or typhoid do not suddenly occur after hurricanes and floods in areas where they have not happened previously

• Decaying bodies create very little risk for major disease outbreaks

• Short bouts of diarrhea, upset stomachs, colds and some breathing problems can be avoided with careful hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, or use of an alcohol hand gel

• Problems with communicable diseases begin when sanitation and hygiene are compromised post-disaster. The reasons for the above tips are to avoid this scenario.

To find the CDC’s infectious disease information within MedlinePlus.gov, just type in ‘hurricane’ in the search box on MedlinePlus’ home page. A health topic page called ‘natural disasters’ will pop up. The link, called ‘After a hurricane: key facts about infections disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),’ also is within the ‘Related Issues’ section on this page.

We should add that one of the most useful things you can do to prepare for a hurricane or any nature disaster is to be acquainted with first aid. We relearned the value of MedlinePlus’ first aid health topic page from some nurses and physicians in the Gulf Coast post-Katrina.

MedlinePlus’ first aid health topic page provides reliable information what to do when some of the following things occur: nosebleeds, cuts, scrapes and stitches, seizures, shock, knocked out teeth, animal bites, burns, chocking, CPR, heat illness, insect bites and stings, as well as hypothermia.

Everything on this list added to the woes and stress of already anxious parents, friends and family post-Katrina. As the School of Nursing faculty at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. like to say,  in disasters, the real first responders are you, your family and neighbors. It helps if you (and they) can pitch in -- and also know when it’s time to seek medical help. 
 
To find MedlinePlus’ health topic page on first aid, just type ‘first aid’ on the search box on MedlinePlus’ home page. Then, click on ‘first aid (National Library of Medicine).’

Before I go, this reminder……. MedlinePlus.gov is authoritative,….. free…. does not accept advertising …and is written to help you.   

To find MedlinePlus.gov, just type in “MedlinePlus.gov’ in any web browser, such as Firefox, Safari, Netscape, or Explorer.

We encourage you to use MedlinePlus and please recommend it to your friends. MedlinePlus is available in English and Spanish.

Your comments about this or any of our podcasts are always welcome. We welcome suggestions about future topics too!
Please email Dr. Lindberg anytime at: NLMDirector@nlm.nih.gov

That’s NLMDirector (one word) @nlm.nih.gov

A written transcript of recent podcasts is available. Just click on the ‘Director’s comments’ link on MedlinePlus’ home page.

The National Library of Medicine is one of 27 institutes and centers within the National Institutes of Health. The National Institutes of Health is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

It was nice to be with you….
Dr. Lindberg returns in the future.
                                               
Disclaimer - The information presented in this program should not replace the medical advice of your physician. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any disease without first consulting with your physician or other health care provider.