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Zika Summer Safeguards Learn the basic precautions to keep your family safe thisseason. To learn more about the maternal-fetal medicine program at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, visit chofsa.org/our-medical-services. The Children's Hospital of SanAntonio's new Obstetrician-in-Chief has an exciting vision for the future of the maternal-fetal medicineprogram. After retiring from 29 years of service in the U.S."Army, Colonel Peter Nielsen, M.D., is bringing his expertise in high-risk and complex pregnancies to the San Antonio community. While in the military, Dr. Nielsen served as deputy commander for a military trauma hospital that was not only the busiest in Iraq, but also boasted the best survival rates. He held several administrative leadership responsibilities and executive jobs during his time in the military, including chief executive o«cer — where he was responsible for the care of approximately 50,000 beneficiaries within the state of"Missouri. Coming to The Children's Hospital of San"Antonio, Dr. Nielsen looks forward to building a strong maternal-fetal medicine program that can meet all of the community's needs. "Our ultimate goal is to enhance quality and safety for mothers and babies in the community," says Dr."Nielsen, who now serves as obstetrician- in-chief at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio and vice chair of Obstetrics/Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. "I'm excited to be a part of helping this vision become reality." The initiative involves bringing in highly trained specialists to run OB-specific departments. Dr."Nielsen hopes to build a robust infrastructure and sta— and have the program up and running by the end of fall. ✚ A Warm Welcome Zika virus has been prominent in the news lately. This mosquito-borne illness can cause fever, conjunctivitis and joint pain for up to a week's time. For many people, the symptoms are mild, and some never realize they had the virus. If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, however, take extra precautions, as Zika can cause serious harm to your unborn child and cause birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lays out guidelines that you can follow to keep yourself and your family safe. TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS AND PREPARATIONS "Current guidelines suggest pregnant women not travel to areas where the Zika virus is transmitted or circulating, if possible," says Luis Castagnini, M.D., a pediatrician at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio who specializes in infectious diseases. "For anyone who chooses to travel to these areas, the best prevention tip is to avoid mosquito bites altogether." Dr. Castagnini recommends travelers headed to Central or South America — or other a—ected areas — follow the guidelines passed down by the CDC, including: 1. Use EPA-registered mosquito repellent. 2. Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs entirely. 3. If sleeping outside in a rural area, cover sleeping areas with mosquito nets. EVERYDAY REMINDERS Mosquitoes often breed in areas where rain can accumulate, like old tires, trash cans, upturned lids, buckets and flower pots. Empty these containers frequently, at least once a"week. "Always stay tuned in to CDC updates concerning the Zika virus and be prepared with proper clothing and mosquito prevention techniques," Dr."Castagnini says. ✚ To learn more about the Zika virus, contact one of our CHRISTUS Santa Rosa physicians. Dial (877) 250-DOCS. Summer 2016 | christussantarosa.org HEALTHY CHILD 9