(BPT) - When it comes to avoiding germs, some people take it to an extreme. They are fastidious about using a paper towel to avoid touching the door in a public bathroom, wipe down every square inch of an airplane seat and can hardly go 15 minutes without re-sanitizing their hands. Some habits, like using your foot to flush the handle on a toilet, or giving a fist-bump instead of a handshake, may make good sense. The fact is there are good reasons to avoid germs and embrace the habits of a germaphobe.

Take, for example, shaking hands. It may seem harmless, but serious bacteria such as staphylococcus (commonly known as staph), E. coli and others easily spread with simple hand-to-hand contact.

Whether at home, work or in a public place, washing hands is considered one of the most effective ways to prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading, and consequently, preventing illness or infection.

Unfortunately, according to a recent survey commissioned by Hibiclens, maker of the antibacterial soap originally only used by surgeons and health professionals, there’s no shortage of people who don’t wash their hands. It’s likely that at one point or another, despite your best hygienic efforts, you’ll come in contact with someone who doesn't properly wash. According to the survey of 1,000 American adults:

* 56 percent don’t always wash their hands after covering their mouth when coughing. Serious respiratory illnesses like influenza, whooping cough and SARS are spread through coughing and sneezing.

* Almost one in six people (18 percent) don’t always wash their hands after going to the bathroom. According to the CDC, feces from people and animals is a source of Salmonella, E. coli, and the norovirus. One gram of human feces can contain one trillion germs.

* Nearly half, 49 percent of people, don’t always wash their hands after blowing or picking their nose, a place where staph is commonly found in nearly 50 percent of a given population, according to the National Center of Biotechnology Information.

One less thing to worry about

These aren’t comforting statistics. And they will probably make you think twice about your co-workers, friends and those strangers you meet at a conference or sit next to on a bus or plane.

National Handshake Day, which falls on June 28, might as well be renamed national germ-spreading day!

However, the good news is that Hibiclens, the same antibacterial soap used for over 40 years in hospitals and given to patients to reduce the chance of infection before surgery and afterwards to continue to keep the incision site free of germs that can cause infection, is now a germ-fighting solution available to everyone. Found in the first aid aisle in your favorite retailer, it is also the number one pharmacist-recommended antibacterial soap.

What makes Hibiclens unique is that it has a clinically proven, persistent effect to give up to 24 hours of active protection that kills nearly 100 different types of germs, bacteria and viruses. It’s also proven safe and effective and is gentle enough for everyday use and even for parents to use on their children.

In day-to-day terms, this means that you’ll have one less thing to worry about. Whether it’s shaking hands, traveling, going to a conference, sending your children back to school or college, riding public transportation and everywhere else, the proven 24-hour additional active protection shields you like a pair of invisible gloves while still washing your hands as usual.
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While you might not be able to get everyone else to thoroughly wash their hands, there are simple precautions you can take to keep you and your family protected from these germs. Washing with Hibiclens gives you the peace of mind that, even though others may not be washing properly, you'll have a solid, proven defense against infections and infection-carrying germs. Remember, the fight against infection begins at home.

(BPT) - Haiti has among the highest rates of elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), which attacks the lymphatic system, leading to abnormal enlargement of body parts, disfigurement, pain, disability and social ostracism. The World Health Organization estimates that 856.4 million people in 53 countries remain threatened by elephantiasis. The Haitian population also suffers from widespread iodine deficiency. The Haitian Ministry of Health has established a goal to completely eradicate elephantiasis and iodine deficiency disorders in Haiti by 2020. Fortunately, there is a simple cure for these conditions: salt fortified with iodine and diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC).

Iodine is an essential element for healthy human life, enabling the function of thyroid glands to produce needed hormones for proper metabolism. When children in the womb don’t get enough iodine from their mother, fetal brain development is impaired. During pregnancy, iodine deficiency can cause a child to develop learning and intellectual disabilities as well as developmental problems affecting speech, hearing and growth.

“Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is the single greatest cause of preventable mental retardation,” says Kul Gautam, the former deputy executive director of UNICEF. “Severe deficiencies cause cretinism, stillbirth and miscarriage. But even mild deficiency can significantly affect the learning ability of populations. Scientific evidence shows alarming effects of IDD. Even a moderate deficiency, especially in pregnant women and infants, lowers their intelligence by 10-15 IQ points.”

Kiwanis International, a worldwide service organization in more than 82 nations and geographic areas, partnered with UNICEF in a global effort to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). In just 10 years, starting in 1990, the percentage of the world population consuming iodized salt went from 20 percent to 70 percent. Kiwanis ultimately provided nearly $105 million to protect children from preventable mental and physical disabilities.

“There is no reward greater in life than helping children, and seeing them live healthy, vibrant lives. Our clubs and members understand the importance of helping children in their communities, and in communities around the world, and have proudly contributed to protecting more than 80 million children from the devastating effects of iodine deficiency,” said Stan D. Soderstrom, executive director of Kiwanis International, during a Kiwanis sponsored presentation at the 2018 World Salt Symposium in Park City, Utah.

Iodine deficiency was a problem in the United States as well, until American salt producers started adding iodine to table salt more than a century ago. Today, about 70 percent of the table salt sold in the United States is iodized. In fact, salt has been and remains the primary source for iodine in the American diet. The effect of this public health initiative has been to virtually eliminate the incidence of thyroid related illness, including goiters. “Iodized salt has been one of the greatest and most economical public health successes and it continues to help raise healthy, smart children,” said Lori Roman, President of the Salt Institute, which hosted the 2018 World Salt Symposium.

(BPT) - Everyone faces their own journey in life. This journey will likely have hurdles of many kinds. These hurdles can knock you down, but with the right mindset and attitude, they can never keep you down. In fact, they can actually make you stronger.

Chelsee Nabritt has been overcoming hurdles since birth. Born two months early, she remained in the hospital due to heart issues and seizures. Nabritt also suffered with respiratory distress syndrome and was on a heart monitor for one year after birth. Her parents thought she was out of the woods when she was released from the hospital and she seemed healthy for many years. Then when she turned 7, she began experiencing severe nose bleeds regularly.

"My mom was terrified and took me to the hospital where I was diagnosed with platelet storage pool disorder," Nabritt says. "It’s among the rarest of rare bleeding disorders, but part of a larger group of over three million people in the U.S. who have bleeding disorders ranging from the rare ones like mine to hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. What we share in common is our blood doesn’t clot normally, which can result in spontaneous bleeding into muscles and joints, and extended bleeding after an injury or surgery. It can even be fatal."

Nabritt has always remained positive. Along with her healthcare team, she has learned to manage her condition. At age 7, she began attending Hemophilia of Georgia’s Camp Wannaklot, where she met other kids with bleeding disorders for the first time, including only one of two individuals she knows of with platelet storage pool disorder. This helped her realize she's not alone.

Whatever journey you are on, you will face unexpected hurdles. Staying positive and keeping your head high is important. Nabritt shares some of her life rules for overcoming obstacles and becoming the best person you can be.

Choose to be happy

"With a better understanding of my chronic disease, I made a choice. I chose to be happy and live my life without barriers. Had I chosen darkness over light, or let negative thoughts overshadow the positive ones, I’d only be hurting myself and those who love me," says Nabritt.

Give the gift of time to others

"The greatest gift you can give someone is your time," Nabritt says. "I remember how older kids helped me better understand how to live my best life regardless of my bleeding disorder, and I decided to do the same.

"At 18, I was old enough to transition from being a camper to a camp counselor at Camp Wannaklot. And when the National Hemophilia Foundation issued a call for membership to its National Youth Leadership Institute (NYLI), I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve used my NYLI platform to lead workshops for young community members on public speaking and advocating with legislators, and to share my own experience.”

Pursue your passion pragmatically

Nabritt says, "You owe it to yourself to pursue your passion, but as you follow your heart, you have to use your head and work hard. Right now, my dream is to one day pursue public office so I can create policies that enable people with bleeding disorders to live healthy, productive lives. I’m taking it step-by-step and that includes finishing my sociology degree before pursuing a dual master's."

The grass is green enough where you are

"There have been times I've envied people without bleeding disorders. But I quickly realized that I had no way of knowing if these people lived better lives than me, nor should I waste any more time thinking about it. I always strive to reach for the stars, but I also know it’s important to keep my feet on the ground and do the best I can, where I am, with what I have."

Using the community’s symbol—the red tie—plus advocacy and passion to advance her cause

2018 is a very big year for Nabritt. She’s graduating from college and working with NHF to mark its 70th anniversary by serving on the planning committee for its 70th Bleeding Disorders Conference in October. Nabritt also is using her leadership and advocacy skills to promote NHF’s Red Tie Campaign. The campaign aims to help galvanize a bipartisan Congressional majority to act decisively to protect access to affordable, quality healthcare for not only people with bleeding disorders, but all 150 million Americans with chronic conditions.

“I’m urging everyone to get involved by visiting www.RedTieCampaign.org to make a donation, show us their best red tie style using NHF’s virtual photo booth, and then share their photos with #RedTieCampaign. To protect our access to healthcare, we must work together, now,” says Nabritt. “As John Lewis once said, ‘If not us, then who? If not now, then when?’”