Adoption: Surviving the Wait for Your Baby

I have been pregnant for 18 monthswell, paper pregnant that is. For those of us adopting, you know what I mean. While completing the paperwork that makes this beautiful process possible was at times frustrating, at least running back and forth to the notary public kept me busy and provided a feeling that I was still somewhat in control. But once all the paperwork was successfully navigated and back into the agency's handsI stepped back, took a deep breath and realized all that was left to do is wait. Now you'd think that would be the easy part, but for myself and many other adoptive parents, the waiting and uncertainty of when you will meet your child for the first time can border on unbearable.To help you get through your wait a little easier, here are ten things you can do. Focus on what you already have. To be in the position to adopt, I bet you already have many things for which to be thankful. When I start feeling discouraged, I count my blessings and remember that the wait will eventually come to an end and once we have our daughter she will be part of our family forever.Create a memory book. Write down your thoughts and feelings, write letters to your child, about current events from your home country or if you are adopting internationally, from your child's birth country. Include drawings from other siblings. Your child would be very interested to see the book you created for them one day. There is even on demand publishing available so you can actually have your work bound and turned into a professional looking book. Volunteer to work with children. You'll feel good about it and it will give you the opportunity to get some experience if you are a first time parent.Save money. Adopting costs money and so does raising a child. Extra money will always come in useful. It's never too early to start saving for college!Clean house. Take time to really clean and get organized. Once your baby is here, you'll have better things to do. Getting organized now will allow you to spend more time with your child later.Take parenting classes. Local hospitals often sponsor parenting classes or consider an adoption preparation workshop to help you learn what to expect and how to handle any special needs your child may have or develop. Learning infant CPR is also a good idea. You can find a local class by contacting the American Red Cross.Take one last vacation as a couple. All rightso my husband and I have taken three "last vacations" as a childless couple--but we had a great time on each of them. If you are waiting for your first baby, spend time as a couple enjoying one another's company completely free of any parenting responsibilities. If you have other children at home, it may be nice to all get away and spend quality time as a family since traveling might become more difficult with a new baby in the home.Learn about your child's culture. If you are adopting internationally or a child from a culture different than your own, you may want to consider learning about their country's history and traditions. You can plan fun ways to incorporate their native country's traditions into your own. Learning a bit of your child's native country's language might also be useful, especially if you will be traveling there.Plan and decorate the nursery. Some future parents don't want to walk by a decorated nursery until they are close to Adoption Day. If you would prefer to hold off on decorating, consider gathering ideas from magazines so when the time is right, you can proceed knowing exactly what you want.Start childproofing your home. Children will get into everything so walk through every room and identify all potential hazards. Sit on the floor as well to see the room from a child's vantage point and look for any dangers you may have missed. Read up on the latest safety products you may not be familiar with. Cynthia Smith owns and operates Mother Earth Nursery Designs, an online boutique specializing in organic and healthy products for babies and their nursery. She is working to promote awareness of organic fabrics and their benefits for babies and the environment.

TEXAN JOINS PEACE DELEGATION TO IRAQ From Middle Class to the Middle East

(Austin, Texas)---One of Texas' own leaders will be traveling to Iraq at the end of October as part of an international peace delegation. Charlie Jackson, a business leader with a middle-class lifestyle and father of two young sons, will join with delegates from Voices in the Wilderness as part of the Iraq Peace Team http://www.iraqpeaceteam.org/. He will be representing Texas as a delegate of Texans for Peace http://www.texansforpeace.org.This is the third international peace action that Mr. Jackson has been involved in. During the wars in Bosnia, Charlie traveled that country twice (1993 and 1995) to interpose and provide humanitarian aid to the victims. He has also been involved in a variety of International projects in addition to his work as an entrepreneur and member of the Austin high-tech community. His commitment to nonviolence and peacemaking comes from strong religious faith traditions and belief in democratic principles of fairness and justice. For thousands of years people of have fought wars because they either thought their neighbors would attack them or they wanted their neighbors milk and honey'. But in all of that time, victories' have only been shortlived. If we are to make the world for our children better, we're going to need to find new ways to do it, says Charlie. He adds, the U.S. cannot reach the ideals that we hold dear while at the same time killing innocent people around the world and that's reason enough to go to Iraq! Mr. Jackson plans to leave for Iraq on October 28 and stay until the end of November. While there he will visit with local families, teachers, and businesspeople. He hopes to educate them to the fact that not all Americans are pro-war and gain insight to their viewpoints to bring --More"those stories back to Texas. In the event of U.S. bombing Charlie says, I will stay with the people there and give comfort where possible. To me the children that I meet are no less precious than my own sons.Voices in the Wilderness was started in 1994 in response to the sanctions that, over time, have been directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children and adults. Voices has challenged these sanctions by delivering embargoed goods such as medicine and infant vitamins and demonstrate solidarity with those who suffer in that country in the tradition of Mohandas Gandhi. The organization is composed of teachers, social workers, business people, and religious leaders and has sent over 40 delegations to Iraq since 1996. Now, with war on the horizon, Voices and the Iraq Peace Team have pledged to send seasoned nonviolence workers to take up positions in Iraq and be with ordinary people during any aggression directed to them. Between his work and family responsibilities, Mr. Jackson is currently traveling throughout Texas giving presentations that put a human face to the suffering in Iraq with photos and stories brought back from prior delegations. He is available for speaking with groups who are interested in learning more about Iraq from first-hand perspective and also for those who have interests in peace and nonviolence activities. For additional information you can visit the Texans for Peace website http://www.texansforpeace.org. --Attachments"Brief Statement on IraqStatement on Iraq " Texans for PeacePhoto (Charlie Jackson)--End--

The Pros And Cons Of Domestic Adoptions

There are two main types of adoptions, namely domestic adoptions and international adoptions. In this article we are going to be specifically looking at the pros and cons of domestic adoptions.The first advantage of domestic adoptions is that the cost for adopting a child is often less than for international adoptions. If you are going through your state domestic adoptions can cost very little. In addition the travel costs for domestic adoptions are greatly reduced.Another of the pros of domestic adoptions is the fact that generally very little, if any, travel is required. For international adoptions long periods overseas may be required and this could mean time away from other family members, work, and other home comforts.One of the pros of domestic adoptions for many couples is the ability to get a newborn baby. Due to the time required to complete an international adoption, a couple will not generally have this choice if they are adopting internationally.The cons of domestic adoptions include the fact that the procedural requirements are generally stricter and may also include going to a large number of classes for adoptive parents.There may also be less availability of children when considering domestic adoptions as compared to international adoptions, especially if you want a child from a minority race group.Other cons to domestic adoptions include the fact that the birth mother may change her mind about who she wants to adopt her child up until quite a late stage. Although this generally does not happen after the adoption has taken place it can happen after the adoptive parents are expecting the child and so get disappointed by suddenly losing the child they were expecting.The domestic adoption process also often includes putting together a parents' profile which includes photos of the prospective family for the birth mother to choose. For some families this may present problems, for example, if the prospective parents are slightly older (or look older) or feel that something in their appearance would cause them to be discarded as an option then they may prefer to go for an international adoption where this is not necessary and the birth mother or those deciding on who the child is to go to do not get to see the photos of the parents beforehand.In conclusion, there are pros and cons to domestic adoptions. Domestic adoptions are generally cheaper than international adoptions, less travel is included and one is able to adopt a newborn baby. The cons of domestic adoptions include the fact that there may be less availability of children, the procedural requirements are harsher and the birth mother may change her mind quite late in the procedure about who she wants to adopt her child. When considering domestic adoptions versus international adoptions it is important to take these factors into consideration.Your last option for recourse is simply to adopt an older child. Adoptive parents and adopted children can often form bonds that are just as strong as those formed between biological parents and children, even when the child is older and has a better idea of what is going on.

How to Choose a Car Seat That Meets The Needs of Your Baby

There are many types of car seats available on the market today. In order to be able to make an informed decision it is best to check out car seat manufacturers. You can also check any consumer guide for information on recalls, seats that have been crash tested, the best type of restraint systems for your child. Before that even starts be aware of the fact that there are many types of car seats. The choice you make will be based on your prior research and your child's needs. A note of caution: before you purchase a car seat check the manufacture's recommendations and be sure the seat is compatible with your vehicle.One type of car seat is the infant only car seat. This seat comes with a detachable base, comes with higher weight and height limits, harness slots that will help to change the seat from rear facing to front facing. The multiple slots can be adjusted to fit your baby. They also have handles that can be folded down while the child is in the car. They can be raised to make carrying your baby easier.Convertible car seats are bigger and heavier and may not be appropriate for some newborns. The reclining position and ease of adjusting the harness are important assets. A convertible seat can be used rear facing for most newborns and front facing for older babies over twenty pounds. The American Pediatric Association recommends a child stay rear facing until s/he reaches the maximum weight and height listed by the manufacturer. The straps and are adjustable to a child's size, the seat should be moved to the proper position for the weight and height of your baby. The seat belt should be threaded through the seat belt path.Forward facing seats cannot be used in the rear facing position. They are only for children over a year old and over twenty pounds. They can be used with either a lap only or lap/shoulder belt system.Combination seats also cannot be used in the rear facing position and are also only for babies over a year and over twenty pounds. It has an internal harness for children whose weight is between forty and fifty pounds. It can convert to a belt position booster seat by removing the harness for larger children. They can be used with lap only or lap/shoulder belts.Booster seats come in different types. Some come with shield boosters that are padded bars that lock into position much like the handlebars on carnival rides. There are booster seats that come with a high back to support your child as s/he rides in a car. Some booster car seats are built into vans and some cars. Check with your vehicle manufacturer to be sure the seat will accommodate your child's size. There are travel vests that attach to the seats with lap only belts.Now that you know the types of car seats, there are things that must be considered in order to ensure the safety of your baby. Is the seat safe? How did it fare in crash testing? Is the restraint system easy to manipulate? If they are difficult to buckle your child in or remove him from the seat your child's safety could be compromised. In an accident, a sudden stop, or quick swerve will the seat hold your child? If the seat moves in any way in these situations your baby could be at risk. The car seat should attach snugly to the seat if properly installed. With seats that have multiple belt slots to accommodate your child be sure you use the right one. The belt should be at your child's shoulder level or just above.Most newer car seats come with the LATCH (lower anchor and tethers for children) system. Installation is supposed to be easier but they are difficult to use and are not always safe. Parents complain that upon installing seats with this system there is too much slack, the seats have a tendency to move or slide out of position. In an emergency situation this could have seriously disastrous results. A company has created a tool called Mighty Tite that is used to pull in the slack and it has been safety tested and is recommended.As previously stated check consumer guides and online sites for recalls. This is especially important if you have a used car seat. If you purchase your seat second-hand you need to inspect it thoroughly. Check that all belts and buckles are in good shape and working as recommended. Make sure the belts aren't frayed or the buckles cracked. Check the frame for any breaks or gaps that your little one could get fingers stuck in or that are sharp. If you find such things don't use the seat until you can get it repaired or replaced. If the seat comes with removable covers it is suggested that you remove them and wash them well. If it doesn't have cloth covering you might want to buy some. A vinyl seat, could in the summer, burn your little one's tender skin. In a desperate attempt to remedy this when my own child was an infant, I found a large towel and cut holes in it and place it on the seat so that anywhere my son's skin would meet the seat, it was protected at least with the towel. If you are really creative you could make your own.Be practical in purchasing your car seat. If you have an infant buy a seat that will convert to a front facing seat as your child grows. Infant seats also come with a base that remains installed while you are able to remove a sleeping child from the car without disturbing him too much. Some such infant seats can also attach to a stroller frame. This multi-use seat is practical and will save all the bending and unbuckling and buckling of seat belts and then stroller belts. The internal harness keeps your child appropriately restrained.Let's go over some important considerations in purchasing car seats. Keep in mind compatibility with your vehicle's specifications. Check for recalls and safety testing- how did the seat fare in these situations? Is it the proper seat for the size of your child? Can the seat be converted from a rear and front facing seat - it is more economical to buy a convertible seat. Is the installation easy or does the seat seem to move around in the belt system? There is a tool called Mighty Tite that can take up any slack and make the seat secure in its position, thus enhancing your baby's safety. Choose carefully and choose wisely, you are carrying very precious cargo.

Nurture Basics, Inc. Launches Next-Generation Early Child Development Program, "Play Along With Me!", An Interactive Toy-Based Learning System That Emphasizes Bonding

February 11 2004--More than four million babies are born in the U.S. each year; and, recent media and medical community reports show that child development psychologists, day-care providers, educators, infant-learning experts, and pediatricians agree that there's a critical window of opportunity for brain growth which occurs in a child's first three years of life. During this time, experts say, parents/caregivers play a crucial role in a child's development, and babies need good, positive human interaction and touch, as well as ample opportunities to play and explore.Responding to the need for an early child development toy-based program that engages infants and toddlers with their parents/caregivers, U.S.-based Nurture Basics, Inc. (www.NurtureBasics.com) introduces Play Along With Me!, the next generation in a growing genre of educational products intended to stimulate a child's brain development. "Play Along with Me!" is an interactive, entertaining, toy-based program for children ages birth to three years that provides rich educational content, encourages shared experiences between child and parent/caregiver, and incorporates the direct, dynamic involvement of the parent/caregiver to help the child explore and learn.According to Lynn Wadelton, Ph.D., of First Coast Therapy Group, Inc. in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida: 'Play Along With Me!' is a superior child development program that is interesting for babies, teaches appropriate developmental and social tasks, includes actual child and adult models for children to imitate, shows parents how to interact in positive, fun, and educational ways with their children, includes actual toys used in the videos and music CDs, and is active rather than passive. She added, This program is perfect for the needs of infants and toddlers."Play Along With Me!" is a complete, multi-media kit that combines parent/caregiver interaction with audio, visual, and tactile stimulation in order to strengthen emotional bonding and enhance cognitive, social, motor, and English language skills along infants' and toddlers' natural stages of development. Packaged with a tote bag for easy storing and traveling, Play Along With Me! includes more than 40 toys -- all of which are shown in the kit's three videos (also available as DVDs) -- along with three music CDs featuring more than 30 original songs, and an easy-to-follow guidebook for parents/caregivers with song lyrics, safety tips, and suggestions on how to use the program. It is the only product on the early child development market that includes all the toys featured in its songs and videos. Additionally, each toy has been safety-tested according to both ASTM and Canadian standards, and approved for children of all ages to use.Created with guidance from language and early child development experts, "Play Along With Me!" has been successfully used for more than five years throughout Asia to teach English as well as for early child development. Now, for the first time, this program is available in North America.At Nurture Basics, our goal is to promote an atmosphere of integrated child and parent/caregiver bonding through playful education and positive one-on-one interaction in the early stages of a child's development, said Tamara Ujiie, Founder and CEO of Nurture Basics. We saw the need for a program like 'Play Along With Me!' based on our own experiences as parents, she continued, also, after working for the product's distributor in Japan and seeing its successes across Asia, we determined that the benefits transcended simple language acquisition; furthermore, we felt that babies and parents/caregivers in the U.S. and Canada deserved the opportunity to experience this wonderful product.Nurture Basics will initially offer "Play Along With Me!", its flagship product, to consumers, retailers, and specialty toy stores throughout North America via its Website, www.NurtureBasics.com, and mail-order catalogues, in addition to partnering with national e-commerce distributors. Also, the company will be a new exhibitor at the upcoming American International TOY FAIR -- open only to toy and retail trade, and press -- taking place at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Sunday, Feb. 15 through Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except on the final day when exhibits will close at 4 p.m. Following the American International TOY FAIR, Nurture Basics will exhibit at a series of trade shows taking place throughout California. The American International TOY FAIR is the perfect venue for introducing 'Play Along With Me!' to toy and retail trade audiences, said Andrew Ujiie, President of Nurture Basics. He continued, We're confident that 'Play Along With Me!' will quickly become recognized across North America as one of the best new toy-based programs for early child development, not only because of its superior quality, but also because it's a complete kit that's easy and fun to useall parents or caregivers have to do is play along!Based in Irvine, Calif., Nurture Basics, Inc. was created to provide parents and caregivers with enriching, educational content and tools that enable them to easily engender interactive, nurturing experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Nurture Basics is wholly owned and operated by husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Andrew and Tamara Ujiie, who serve as the company's President and Founder/CEO, respectively. For more information on Nurture Basics and "Play Along With Me!", interested persons are welcome to visit www.NurtureBasics.com, or call or email the listed contacts. For more information on the American International TOY FAIR, interested persons may visit www.Toy-Tia.org.

Amtrak's Low Fares - Seven Tips to Receive Discounted Fares on Amtrak Train Trips

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation was created by Congress in 1970 to take over the passenger rail services previously required to be operated by private freight railroad companies in the United States. Those companies reported they had operated the services without profit for over a decade.The vast majority of passenger rail routes in existence at that time were shut down to focus the service on the most heavily used lines.The popular nickname "Amtrak" was created as a blend of the words "America" and "track." Amtrak provides a number of discount fare programs to entice prospective passengers and their families on their trains.Each of theseven deals listed below are subject to the following rules:1. They must be purchased at least three days in advance2. Discounted fares cannot be combined on one ticket3. These fares are not valid for weekday Acela Express travel4. They are not valid on some Amtrak Thruway bus services5. Passengers traveling in Business class, First class or sleeping accommodation are not eligible for these discounts.One:Up to two children under the age of 16 are eligible to receive a 50% discount on the lowest available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains with each fare-paying adult.Also, oneinfantunder the age of two may ride free with each adult ticket purchased. Infants are not entitled to a seat.Only children traveling with an adult are entitled to a children's discount.Two:Travelers over the age of 61 are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. On cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, a 10% Senior discount is applicable to travelers over the age of 59.You cannot use the senior discount on the Auto Train.Three:Active-duty US military personnel, their spouses and their dependents are eligible to receive a 10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains.This discount is also valid on the Auto Train.You mustpresent a valid active-duty United States Armed Forces identification card to receive the discount. The military discount is valid only onthe American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.Four:The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) is the largest national membership advocacy organization for train and rail transit passengers. NARPmembersare eligible to receive a10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains.You must present your NARP membership ID card when you pick up your ticket, and you must carry your card with you on-board the train.The NARP discount is valid only onthe American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.Five:The Veterans AdvantageTM is a discount card program for veterans.Veterans holding a valid Veterans Advantage Members Card are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains.You must enroll with Veterans Advantage and receive a 10-digit travel discount code that can be used immediately to book your Amtrak travel.The Veterans Advantage is valid only onthe American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.Six:The Student Advantage Card is the nation's largest student discount program.Students are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the best available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains all year long.You must present both a valid Student Advantage Card and a valid photo ID at time of ticket purchase and on-board trains to receive the discount. Each of these items must be valid for the current school term.For Auto Train service, Student Advantage cardholders receive a 15% discount off adult rail fare but no discount on their vehicles.The Student Advantage Card is valid only onthe American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.The Student Advantage discount is not valid for any Rail Passes or Multi-Ride tickets.Seven:More than 5 million students around the world will purchase an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) this year.To qualify for your ISIC, you must be age 12 or older and currently enrolled as a degree seeking student at an accredited institution.Students holding a valid ISIC are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the best available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains all year long.You must present both a valid ISIC and a valid photo ID at time of ticket purchase and on-board trains to receive the discount. Each of these items must be valid for the current school term.For Auto Train service, ISIC cardholders receive a 15% discount off adult rail fare but no discount on their vehicles.The ISIC is valid only onthe American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.The ISIC discount is not valid for any Rail Passes or Multi-Ride tickets.

Charles Self is the editor of the Amtrak Train Stations Across America website. At http://www.passengertraininfo.com/studentandveterandiscounts.aspx you will find additional information on Veterans Advantage, Student Advantage Card, and International Student Identity Card programs and Amtrak train stations.

Hepatitis B - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Hepatitis B is a viral disease of the liver that occurs throughout the world. International travelers may be at risk and should discuss hepatitis B vaccination with their travel doctors.What is hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is viral disease that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). While most patients recover fully, it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. It occurs in certain populations in the United States, but is a much more widespread health issue worldwide. Experts estimate that about 1 million Americans are infected with HBV. In contrast, there are about 350 million people worldwide with hepatitis B, including nearly 700,000 yearly fatalities. International travelers may be at risk of contracting hepatitis B depending upon their immune status and their destinations.How is hepatitis B transmitted?Hepatitis B is transmitted from contaminated blood, semen and bodily fluids. This is why blood for transfusions or organs to be transplanted is carefully tested for the presence of HBV (and many other diseases) to protect the recipients. Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted disease. Newborns can contract the virus if the mother has hepatitis B.What are the symptoms?Hepatitis B symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and joint pains. A characteristic symptom is jaundice when the eyes and skin turn yellow. Jaundice develops gradually and is rarely noticed by the infected person himself. All of these symptoms are called non-specific, meaning that they can occur in many other diseases also. This disease is not nearly as contagious as hepatitis A, which spreads from person to person much more easily. HBV infected people can have silent infections and can still transmit the disease to others. Fortunately, most hepatitis B patients recover fully, but a minority never clear the infection and can develop chronic medical complications. After complete recovery, the individual is immune to hepatitis B infection for life. A minority of hepatitis B patients have progressive disease. Liver transplantation has been performed to save hepatitis B patients with liver failure whose survival is in jeopardy. There are also individuals who never clear the HBV, but yet they never develop any illness. These people are called hepatitis B carriers.How is hepatitis B diagnosed?If your doctor suspects that you have hepatitis B, then there are accurate blood tests available to establish the diagnosis.Is treatment available?Viral diseases generally are not treated with specific medications like antibiotics. Nearly all patients recover fully from hepatitis B, although the illness can last for months. After recovery, the individual is immune from future hepatitis B infection. There are special medications available for patients who do not clear the hepatitis B virus and develop liver disease.Can hepatitis B be prevented?Definitely. There is a safe and effective vaccine available that provides excellent protection. It is currently recommended to all infants in order to protect them from future infections of HBV. International travelers may be at risk and should discuss hepatitis B vaccination with their travel doctors. Ideally, this should occur months before departure, but even last minute vaccination can offer protection. Individuals can also reduce their risk by engaging only in safe sex practices and not sharing razors and toothbrushes with individuals known to be infected.

Michael Kirsch, MD is a full time practicing physician and freelance author. He writes about the joys and challenges of medical practice including controversies in the doctor-patient relationship, medical ethics and measuring medical quality. When he is not writing, he is performing colonoscopies. For more information on travel vaccinations, immunizations and trip advice, visit: http://travelclinicsofamerica.com and his blog: http://travelvaccineforum.wordpress.com/

Hepatitis A, Symptoms, Treatment & Vaccinations

International travelers need protection against hepatitis A. This viral infection is contagious, common and preventable with an effective vaccine. Travelers should consult with a travel physician to learn how to minimize their risk.What is hepatitis A?Hepatitis A is a viral infection that infects the liver. It is common in many parts of the world and poses risks for international travelers. Illness severity is variable and most patients make complete recoveries.How is hepatitis A transmitted?This disease is transmitted when an individual ingests food or drink that is contaminated with microscopic amounts of infected feces. Physicians and scientists use the term fecal-oral transmission to describe this pathway. For example, travelers in a restaurant can become infected if a cook or a waiter did not practice adequate hygiene after using the rest room. Diners can also become infected if the food was contaminated prior to delivery to the restaurant. Food and beverages that are more likely to harbor the virus include fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice and water. In the United States and other countries, chlorination eliminates Hepatitis A in the water supply. Fecal-oral transmission can occur in other settings. For example, if an infant is infected with the virus, then anyone who changes a diaper or bathes the child is at risk of contracting Hepatitis A. Finally, certain sexual practices can transmit the hepatitis virus.What are the symptoms?Hepatitis A symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and joint pains. A characteristic symptom is jaundice when the eyes and skin turn yellow. Jaundice develops gradually and is rarely noticed by the infected person himself. All of these symptoms are called non-specific, meaning that they can occur in many other diseases also. Many people who are infected with hepatitis A have no symptoms at all. These individuals, however, can still spread the disease to others.How is hepatitis A diagnosed?If your doctor suspects that you have hepatitis A, then there are accurate blood tests available to establish the diagnosis.Is treatment available?Viral diseases generally are not treated with specific medications like antibiotics. Nearly all patients recover fully, although the illness can last for weeks or longer. After recovery, the individual is immune from future hepatitis A infection.Can hepatitis A be prevented?Definitely yes! The most effective strategy is vaccination. Hepatitis vaccine is strongly recommended to individual at risk including travelers to parts of the developing world where this infection is common. Even last minute travelers should receive the vaccine as they will still receive protection. Ideally, travelers should meet with a travel physician months before departure to discuss vaccinations against hepatitis A and other a preventable illnesses. Travelers should also be very cautious about where they dine, avoiding questionable establishments where sanitary conditions may be suspect.What if I am exposed to Hepatitis A?See your doctor. Depending upon the time of exposure and other circumstances, your doctor may advise the hepatitis A vaccine and other treatments. Of course, if you've already been vaccinated, then you are protected.

Michael Kirsch, MD is a full time practicing physician and freelance author. He writes about the joys and challenges of medical practice including controversies in the doctor-patient relationship, medical ethics and measuring medical quality. When he is not writing, he is performing colonoscopies. For more information on travel vaccinations, immunizations and trip advice, visit: http://travelclinicsofamerica.com and his blog: http://travelvaccineforum.wordpress.com

Up, Up and Away

Have you flown on an airplane recently?The security lines are longer. We are interrogated, searched and told to undress.Liquids have to be packed inside our checked in luggage or else they are confiscated.Any toiletries to be carried on the airplane must fit in a four ounce Ziploc bag.We are exhausted before we set foot on a plane.There are similarities and differences between procedures for domestic and international air travel at US metropolitan airports. Before we go "Up, Up, and Away", we will provide you with information about the ticket counter, x-ray area, and the departure gate.The Ticket Counter is the beginning of our trip where we show our identification and e-ticket. We need to adhere to the individual carrier's baggage requirements which are up to 50 pounds per bag for domestic and international flights.In addition, the piece or pieces of luggage needs to be unlocked.Quite a number of the domestic airlines charge for luggage placed in the baggage compartment of the plane.In addition, each individual airline has its own rules governing your luggage.Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.The X-Ray areais our second information check point where we are either instructed to bring our luggage to an x-ray counter and watch it go through the x-ray process. Hand luggage and personal items are x-rayed.Most carriers permit one piece of hand luggage and one personal item such as a laptop.Film should go in your carry-on bag. Do you have a gift to carry?Please do not take it wrapped. If a security officer needs to inspect a package, he or she may have to un-wrap our gift. If there are any specific questions, we need to contact the individual airline carrier.We are also asked to remove our shoes, coat, suit jacket and purse and place them in one or more bins provided at the station and then put them through the x-ray machine for inspection. We need to try to pack our coats and jackets in your checked baggage when possible.We could wear slip-on shoes. This will allow us to take them off and put them back on quickly. We also need to remove all animals from their carrying cases and send the cases through the X-ray machine. We need to hold our pet in our arms and proceed through the metal detector.Infants and children need to be removed from baby carriers and strollers and take them through the metal detector with you. Strollers and baby carriers go through the X-ray machine with your bags. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector. We may also be asked to remove jewelry and coins, depending on the sensitivity of the scanning equipment. We are also required to remove our laptop from its case and lay it flat in one of the bins.We will may also have to be searched by a metal detector receive a possible pat down inspection.Items that might set off an alarm on the metal detector include:Keys, loose change, cell phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs) or smart phones Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties) Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration Belt buckles Under-wire bras Head coverings and religious garments are acceptable during the screening process. You may be directed to additional screening if your headwear or clothing (religious or otherwise) is loose fitting or large enough to hide prohibited items.There are additional TSA requirements to follow called "3-1-1" requirement which means the following: It stands for 3 ounces or less in a one quart-sized clear zip-lock bag.One bag per passenger is placed in the screening tray.The definition is the following: a 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin which limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. Obviously, this is a security measure.Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line.We need to declare larger liquids.Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. We also need to declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints. Departure Gate identification and boarding passes are still necessary for all flights.A passport for international flights or a drivers' license for domestic flights is required in addition to your boarding pass. Once we arrive to our European destination, passports are rarely checked if we remain in the terminal for other European locales.Planes don't always drive up to the gate; we may be required to take the assigned bus transportation to our gate. The decision is dependent on available parking spaces at the hanger. Our luggage is checked through to our final destination.If we are taking another flight, we will go through hand luggage security and then show our passport before taking our flight.But, here is the caveat for international travel:Did you know that meals served on all international (non-American airlines) flights are hot and complimentary inclusive of all liquor? In addition, most international airlines have individual, integrated entertainment seen on a TV monitor. I am led to each checkpoint with friendly personnel at the Los Angeles International Airport, but, I noticed that there is no consistency with the rules and regulations for each carrier.In addition, safety enforcements increase or decrease depending on our security status.I have noticed, though that the international airports have less security especially while traveling within the European community (EU). Hopefully, travel information will now be more comprehensible. "Up, Up, and Away" should have provided you with information about the ticket counter, x-ray area, and the departure gate.

Roberta Mark Engel

Come Up, Up, and Away with us to any destination in Europe and beyond. View our website, http://www.luxurygreecetravel.com.