News Media Home | Hopkins Medicine Home
February 24, 1994
Media Contact:Jo Martin
Phone: (410) 955-2476
E-mail:
jMartin@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Listed below are story ideas-from The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. To
pursue any of
these stories, call the contact person listed.
PUT DISHWASHER DETERGENTS OUT OF CHILDREN'S REACH
Because of their alkalinity, automatic dishwasher detergents are among
the most dangerous products in the home, according to Carlton Lee, pharmacist
at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. e substances, also called bases, can
cause burns similar to those caused by acids.
"We should put dishwasher detergents in the same category as drain
cleaner," Lee says. 'They are just as dangerous and should be kept out of
reach."
Lee says automatic dishwashing detergents (ADDS) are highly corrosive
and could cause tissue damage if they come in contact with exposed skin. Me
amount of damage would depend on the concentration of the caustic agent and the
duration of exposure," he says.
"ADDs can cause damage from mild skin irritation to bleeding. Particularly
dangerous is the
concentrated residue left in the dishwasher cup after the wash cycle is
completed", he says.
If a child swallows dishwasher detergent, Lee recommends removing any
obvious granules or liquid from the lips or inside the mouth, followed by
giving one to eight ounces of water or milk. "We do NOT recommend induced
vomiting" Lee says, "can cause further bums to the esophagus by bringing up the
caustic material. Parents should always call their pediatrician or regional
poison center for advice."
"Eyes are especially vulnerable to caustic agents", Lee says, "because
of their exposed mucous membranes. Even a small amount can act as a corrosive
irritant; prolonged exposure can result in corneal ulceration and irreversible
damage." "If a child gets ADDs in the eye, Lee says, the eye should be flushed
with large quantities of lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes, and the child
should be taken to the nearest emergency room."
"When buying liquid-type automatic dishwasher detergents, which are
more corrosive than the powder variety, parents should look for products with
child-proof lids," Lee says. "Unfortunately, they are not universally
available." Both liquid and granular products should be kept out of children's
reach.
(For media inquiries only, call Jo Martin at (410) 955-8662*)
CHILDREN WITH COLD SYMPTOMS MAY HAVE RSV
During the winter season, most children get their share of ordinary coughs and
runny noses, and fevers and get over them without complications. However,
children under age 2 either born prematurely, or with pre-existing lung
disease, heart disease, or other serious health problems, are at risk of
developing serious lung damage from ordinary infections, particularly from
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Allen Walker, M.D., director of the pediatric emergency department at the Johns
Hopkins Children's Center, says, "Since late October, we've seen 94 cases of
RSV here alone. It becomes a serious problem when otherwise healthy children
who have it infect children at risk an anti-inflammatory medication given by
RSV can be treated with oxygen and ribavirin aerosol.
There is no vaccine or care, however, and Walker recommends that high-risk
children avoid contact with children who have colds and flu during the winter
months. He also suggests that adults who visit children with RSV wash their
hands frequently. If visiting children in the hospital talk to the child's
nurse first and follow hospital precautions, which may include wearing a gown,
mask and gloves.
(For more information, call Debbie Bangledorf at (410) 955-4948.)
STUDY SHOWS AZT WORKS EVEN AFTER ONSET OF
AIDS
The anti-AIDS drug AZT confers much of its protective effect shortly after
starting treatment with the drug, but its benefits may continue even after the
onset of AIDS symptoms according to findings of a study of more than 2,000
infected men reported by researchers at The Johns Hopkins School of Public
Health. The results appear in an article published in the February issue of
the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
"Our results agree with those of two other studies that found that early
therapy with AZT delayed AIDS onset or extended life," says Alfred J. Saah,
M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of epidemiology and the first author of the
report. But, he adds,, the results disagree with conclusions drawn from the
1993 Concorde study by English and French workers, which reported no benefit to
early AZT therapy. "Our study shows that AZT works whether it's given before
or after AIDS onset."
(For more information, call Marc Kusinitz at (410) 955-8665.)