The Fidelis Care Blog 

Asthma and allergies can worsen with the warmer weather. Weeds, trees, grass, and other plants begin to bloom. They spread pollen and other allergens. Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases. They are caused by the immune system’s reaction to allergens. Allergy symptoms happen when a person with an allergy comes into contact with the allergen. This can happen by touching, eating, or breathing in an allergen.

Do you feel tired a lot? Sleep, stress, and hormones all work together to keep us healthy and happy. When they get out of balance, it can cause problems for our body and mind. If we learn how they connect, we can find ways to feel better.

Today is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. This is a day to understand and protect our communities from the deadly threat of illegal fentanyl and counterfeit prescription pills. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is stronger than morphine and heroin. It is used to medically manage severe pain, often after surgery or for some cancer patients. Illegal fentanyl causes overdose deaths. It is often mixed with other drugs, making them more potent and dangerous. It’s important to know how to prevent an overdose, recognize signs of an overdose, and what life-saving measures are available.

Measles cases are on the rise in the United States and Canada. Getting vaccinated for measles and other infectious diseases is the best protection. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. If traveling, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends infants 6–11 months old receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. The child will still need to get the two regular doses to be fully protected.

Every April, Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) serves as a powerful call to action, highlighting the urgent need to address disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women. Black Maternal Health Week is more than a week of awareness - it is a movement advocating for justice, equity, and dignity in maternal care.