DEAR DR. DONOHUE: We’re planning a family reunion at the end of this month. My family is large. Although we live in the same general area, some have to travel for three hours to reach our picnic site. Everyone is bringing food. I wonder about the best way to keep this food safe. I’d hate to see us have an outbreak of food poisoning. — S.B.

ANSWER: More than 200 different bacteria and viruses cause food poisoning. Taking a few simple precautions can keep you free of food poisoning. Undercooked meat, especially hamburgers, unwashed raw vegetables and unwashed fruits are the sources of most trouble.

In preparing foods, hands have to be washed before and after handling raw food. People shouldn’t go from one food to a completely different one without washing. Meat must be brought to an inner temperature of 165 F. A food thermometer is an essential piece of equipment. Whoever brings raw foods must keep them refrigerated in an insulated container packed with ice. The people coming from a distance of three hours should check the container halfway to the picnic destination to see if they need to purchase more ice.

Raw fruits and vegetables have to be washed in running tap water and gently rubbed while under the water.

A few common-sense steps will keep you and your family out of trouble.

TO READERS: The subject of vertigo (dizziness) is a subject of great interest to older people. The booklet on that subject explains its causes and their treatments. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 801, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I had blood work done at my six-month checkup. Everything looks good, except for my white blood count of 3,000. Last time, it was 4,000. My doctor says it’s low but is nothing to worry about.

Will you tell me what this means? Is there cancer growing inside of me? What can I do to correct it? — R.W.

ANSWER: White blood cells have the job of keeping us free of infections. Five different kinds of white blood cells exist, and each has a slightly different role to play in protecting us. The normal white blood cell count ranges from 5,000 to 10,000. Quite often, the focus of attention of the lab report deals with neutrophils, the most numerous of the white blood cells. So long as the neutrophil count is above 1,500, all is well.

You have no symptoms. You have not had any infections. All your other blood tests are normal. You would feel fine if you had never seen the report. Even if you have only 3,000 white blood cells, that’s enough white blood cells to keep you healthy. You do not have a cancer growing inside of you. The only thing you need is a repeat of your count in a matter of a month or two. Nothing you do on your own will raise the count.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an 80-year-old woman who’s in good health and active. I walk two miles or do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise six days a week. I take only two medicines. Six months ago, a doctor diagnosed me with something that sounded like elevated muscle ensigns. I had thigh pain at the time. He gave me indomethacin, but it caused blood in my stools, so I stopped it. Then he gave me oxaprozin, which caused a rash. Any suggestions? — Y.B.

ANSWER: The doctor said “elevated muscle enzymes.” Enzymes are proteins in body cells that keep cell chemistry running at optimum speed. If cells are damaged, they release enzymes into the blood. Muscles have an enzyme called CK, creatine kinase. Muscle inflammation, injury or even excessive exercise can cause a release of CK into the blood. Perhaps the thigh pain you had was due to muscle inflammation, which caused a rise in CK.

On your next visit to the doctor, ask about your muscle enzymes. See if the doctor thinks a recheck is in order.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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