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TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Deciding on need for MMR vaccine

DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, you wrote that people who were born before 1957 are likely to have had measles and don’t need to get the measles vaccine. I was born in 1954 and had measles in 1959 (with photographs to prove it). Last year, I had an MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) titer test, which showed that I had sufficient antibodies for mumps and rubella but insufficient antibodies for measles. I’m concerned because I can’t receive the live measles vaccine unless I suspend my biologic medication for rheumatoid arthritis. This would suppress my immune system for at least two months ...

Fish-sitting favor ends in dead pets and guilt

DEAR ANNIE: I am 22 and working at my first job out of college. My salary is low and just covers my rent, car payments and basic living expenses. I have no savings yet. Recently, my neighbor, whom I know only to wave at, asked me to feed her fish while she went out of town. I agreed, and she took me into her apartment where she showed me her aquarium. She switched on the tank light and demonstrated how to sprinkle fish food on the water. She didn’t give me her phone number. When I went into her apartment the next day to feed the fish, it was pitch dark, with all her curtains ...

Protecting babies from whooping cough during pregnancy

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve read that there’s a big increase in whooping cough. I am pregnant and want to know the best way to protect my baby. Is it exclusive breastfeeding? Getting the vaccine? Making sure that visitors are vaccinated or wear masks? — D.G. ANSWER: Whooping cough is caused by a species of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. This causes a respiratory infection that can be very serious in infants, with over 80% of the youngest babies needing hospitalization. You are right that there have been massive increases in the risk of this infection during the past two years. ...

Bridge by Steve Becker

Bidding is a vocal exercise in which partners exchange messages verbally about their respective holdings in an effort to arrive at the best contract. Defensive play, by contrast, is a silent exercise wherein the defenders try to portray their holdings to each other through the play of their cards in order to score all the tricks to which they are entitled. Consider this deal, which features good defense. South reached four spades as shown, and West led the five of hearts. When dummy came down, East realized that the contract would almost certainly be made unless West held the doubleton ...

Remembering the use-by date

DEAR HELOISE: When I buy a dozen eggs, I transfer them to an egg tray in my refrigerator once I get home. Before I throw away the cardboard carton that they came in, I cut out the “use by” date and put it with the eggs in the refrigerator. I never have to try to remember when I purchased the eggs or how long they’ve been there, just in case I don’t use all of them up quick enough. — Pat, in Ewing, New Jersey DEAR HELOISE: Years ago, after having major back surgery, I had to use a walker for several months. My husband cut a piece of plywood out of a laminated particle board ...