MADISON, Wis. - Before you go over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house this holiday season, consider what a University of Wisconsin-Madison infectious-disease specialist calls key myths about travel and illness.

"Many people have misconceptions about how viruses and bacterial infections are transmitted from person to person, especially on airplanes," says Dr. Jim Conway, an associate professor of medicine at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and pediatric infectious-disease physician at the American Family Children's Hospital.

"If you combine common sense with accurate information, you'll have a much better chance of staying healthy during the holidays."

Conway says the myths fall into three general categories.

Myth #1: Stale airplane air is a major source of contagious disease.

"There are very few things that fly through the air and magically infect other people," says Conway. "Viral infections like flu and colds spread when you have contact with a droplet from someone's sneeze or cough. It's transmitted because humans can't seem to keep their hands away from their faces," says Conway. Viruses last several hours on surfaces while bacteria can last for weeks.

Myth #2: Immune-boosting products will protect you from holiday illnesses.

Conway says there is no reliable evidence that shows products marketed as "bolstering the immune system" work. While the products contain heavy doses of vitamins, Conway says it's not ever been demonstrated in any clinical studies that a few chewables or tablets will instantly make the immune system stronger.

Myth #3: Surgical masks provide more protection against contagious viruses.

Conway says this is a myth with a shred of truth in it. Surgical masks won't stop colds and other viruses because these viruses are not airborne like the pathogens causing tuberculosis, smallpox and measles.

"Since it would be rare to come in contact with a contagious disease that's airborne, the only reason to wear a mask on a commercial airplane is that you don't trust yourself not to touch your mouth, eyes and nose, not to prevent someone from breathing in contaminated air OR if you are coughing and sneezing yourself, and want to protect other people by minimizing spread of your own secretions," he says. "To protect yourself, though, you're much better off spending 89 cents for a bottle of hand sanitizer and keeping your hands below your neck."

Conway says people may be tired of hearing it, but the prescription for staying healthy during the holidays is frequent hand-washing, the use of hand sanitizer and keeping your hands away from your face. In addition, make sure everyone in the family has received their influenza vaccine, and that sick people try to avoid close contact with others.

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The Davenport Public Library has just received word that the big man from the North Pole will once again be visiting the Library this holiday season!

Santa Claus will be making three very special trips to the Main Library (321 Main Street) on Saturdays, December 5, 12, and 19, from 10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; and from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Due to Santa's popularity, we ask that all families be in line by 2:45.

Children will receive a FREE photo with Santa, a candy cane, a book, and a goodie-bag. Don't forget to come early and see Santa arrive in his special sleigh!

Wells Fargo Bank and Davenport Printing Company sponsor this jolly event. For more information, call 563-326-7832, or visit www.davenportlibrary.com.

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WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Nov. 16, 2009 - Families will pay 4 percent less for Thanksgiving dinner this year, while receiving the same wholesome food provided by America's farmers, according to American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) informal Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey.  The 12 items in AFBF's Thanksgiving market basket dropped by an average of $1.70, the greatest year-to-year price reduction since 1991.

According to the survey, a hearty meal including turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee and milk for 10 people will cost families an average of $42.91, or just $4.29 per person.  Together, lower prices for milk and turkey accounted for 80 percent of the decline in the cost of Thanksgiving dinner.  The price of a gallon of whole milk has come down 92 cents since last year, and a 16-pound turkey is 44 cents cheaper.  Iowa ranks 13th nationally in milk production and 10th in turkeys.

"Once again, we can be thankful for the affordability and wholesomeness of food produced in this country," said Iowa Farm Bureau Director of Research and Commodity Services Dave Miller.  "Americans only spend 10 percent of their disposable income on food - less than those in other countries - and this year families are getting even better deals thanks to lower energy prices and less consumer demand as a result of the slow economy.  They're also getting a great value thanks to the hard work done by our nation's farmers."

"Iowa farmers take pride in nourishing our country with nutritious and affordable food," said Iowa Farm Bureau President and dairy farmer Craig Lang.  "We're constantly working toward eliminating hunger in our country and in our world.  When everyone is fed, our world is stronger, and our farmers have the means to support their own families."
More than 200 volunteer shoppers participated in the American Farm Bureau survey, representing every region in the nation. For more information about the survey, visit http://fb.org.twi.bz/c.

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