Cocooned Health

 
Ep. 23. Pregnancy & Travel in Latin America: Mosquito Risks, Repellent Safety, and Vaccines with Dr. Laila Woc-Colburn
Travel during pregnancy can be both exciting and daunting—especially in Latin America, where mosquito-borne infections and vaccine questions add extra layers of caution. Infectious-diseases specialist Dr. Laila Eugenia Woc-Colburn (Emory University) https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=LWOCCOL joins Cocooned Health to share the latest science and practical steps for staying safe. From Zika and dengue to repellents, vaccines, and coastal risks, we break down what every pregnant traveller and family should know.
What we cover
Mosquito-borne risks: Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and new findings from Brazil.
Medications: Why there’s no pill for Zika/dengue/chikungunya, why malaria prophylaxis matters in Latin America and pregnancy-safe options. 
Specific areas of risk.
Repellent choices: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus—what the evidence says, and how to use them safely in pregnancy.
DEET safety: Decades of data show standard use is not linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Environmental protection: Clothing, permethrin, screens, and removing standing water.
Yellow Fever and where it is located including now the cities...
Vaccination safety in pregnancy when travelling
NutritionThis episode is for general education only and isn’t medical advice. Risks and recommendations change by location and over time. Always check the latest official guidance and speak with your own clinician before travel or vaccination decisions.Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Episode 22: Do all fevers in kids need bringing down? Science, exceptions and the myths of fever in children.
 
It’s one of the most common worries for parents — and one of the most misunderstood. We discuss fever myths and more providing clarity and discussion
In this episode of Cocooned Health, Dr Eliz Kilich & Dr Lydia Yarlott tackle the biggest fever myths in children:❓ Do all fevers need treating?❓ Will fevers keep rising to dangerous levels if left alone?❓ Does getting lots of colds mean a weak immune system?❓ Should you always give paracetamol after vaccines?❓ When should you given paracetamol / ibuprofen to children. What age is it not OK? Can you switch between the two?
As we discuss in the episode: Note children > 1 year can tolerate fevers much more than adults and thus the fever number itself becomes less concerning than other features. In adults the normal fever ranges tends to be 37.8 -39.4 (103°F) whereas in OLDER children (over one year) this is a little higher 38 - 39.8. Note this is not a hard and fast rule and the most important feature tends to be other symptoms.
KEY EXCEPTIONS where the NUMBER MATTERS:1. Children under or 3 months old - any fever needs URGENT same day medical review (>38°C (100.4°F))2. Children under or 6 months old > 39°C degrees3. Fever > 5 days. Should be improving in 2-3 days or with fever medication 4. Seek medical attention in an adult > 39.4. This episode does not specifically describe fevers in adults and is limited to a discussion around fever in children.
We unpack why other symptoms with fever tell you more than just the fever itself. 
💡 We’ll unpack what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what really matters when your child spikes a temperature.
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✨ Don’t miss this myth-busting chat that could save you a lot of late-night worry! Listen Now. And DM us on Instagram any queries and feedback
Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Ep 21. "My child has a fever - What do I do?" From Newborn to Teenager. Expert Guest: Dr Seilesh Kadambari  
Today our episode is a crucial one for all parents - it is a focus on fever in children with a focus on how fever differs based on the AGE of your child - from newborn to teenager. 
At Cocooned Health we often focus on the advice around vaccines, food and immune health, how to protect against common and rare, but serious, infections and today we dive into the commonly asked question - my child has a fever - what should I do? As co-hosts Dr Lydia Yarlott and Dr Eliz Kilich we have great privilege to welcome our special guest: Dr Seilesh Kadambari who is a consultant in paediatric infectious diseases and an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health known as GOSH. We will discuss today: understanding fever in children of different ages, the myths, when to seek medical attention, the science behind a fever with vaccinations along with insight into how specialists think about fever in your child and the evidence that supports it. 

Part 2: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) What is the evidence for screening all pregnant women with a swab? 
One doctor would get the swab on the private system in the UK and another would not
Listen Now.
(June's Episode Re-released: Apologies we had a technical issue with this episode where it was unintentionally shortened in some apps - now resolved)
Dr Lydia Yarlott and Dr Eliz Kilich discuss the two sides of the coin: To get the screening swab for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) or not. The discussion revolves around why different countries have different policies. GBS is a bacteria carries by around 1 in 4 people and can cause sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis in babies when a mother who carries the bacteria (as part of her normal microflora) inadvertently transfers it to baby during delivery of her baby. It is however rare. We follow up on the previous episode with Professor Kirsty Le Doare, an expert in GBS and a leader in running the trials that will hopefully lead to a GBS vaccine for the public in the future. Thus the discussion follows:
1. What are the benefits of the swab as part of screening and if your country of residence does not offer it as routine, would the hosts consider getting it. Spoiler - one would, one wouldn't
2. What are the risk of the bacteria to the baby and what is the actual numerical risk. How many babies need to be delivered to a mum who carries the bacteria for one of the babies to actually get the disease? 
3. Are there any downsides to the antibiotics in labour for GBS given that there will be some people due to screening who get it that may not have needed it? If so is there actual proof? How to we weigh this up against the risk of severe illness to baby? 
4. What was the evidence that led to some of the differing recommendations and why can't we do a study now.
 
References:
Azad, M. B. et al. Impact of maternal intrapartum antibiotics, method of birth and breastfeeding on gut microbiota during the first year of life: a prospective cohort study. BJOG 123: 983-993. (2015)
Corvaglia. et al. Influence of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for Group B Streptococcus on gut microbiota in the first month of life. JPGN 62: 304-308. (2016)
Gensollen, et al. How colonization by microbiota in early life shapes the immune system. Science 352(6285): 539-543. (2016)
Group B Streptococcus Incidence. Rates of GBS infection in Babies. Group B Strep Support Charity: https://gbss.org.uk/professional-resources/gbs-incidence/ Accessed June 2025
Le Doare, K. et al. Intrapartum antibiotic chemoprophylaxis policies for prevention of Group B Streptococcal disease worldwide: Systematic Review. Clin Infect Dis 65(S2): S143-S151. (2017)
Matorras et al.  Maternal colonization by group B streptococci and puerperal infection; analysis of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 38(3): 203-207. (1991)
Mazzola et al. Early gut microbiota perturbations following intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent group B streptococcal disease. PLoS ONE 11(6): e015727. (2016)
Nanduri et al. Epidemiology of invasive early-onset and late-onset group B streptococcal disease in the United States, 2006 to 2015: Multistate laboratory and population-based surveillance. JAMA Pediatr 173(3): 224-233. (2019)
Ohlsson, A et al. Intrapartum antibiotics for known maternal group B streptococcal colonization. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 1: CD007467. (2013)
Puopolo, K. M. et al. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Fetus and Newborn, Committee on Infectious Diseases et al. Management of infants at risk for Group B Streptococcal disease. Pediatrics 144 (2): e20191881. (2019)
Van Dyke, M. K. et al. Evaluation of universal antenatal screening for group B streptococcus. N Engl J Med 360(25): 2626-2636. (2009)Whilst no information is perfect, it changes, we have done our best to bring together information to the best of our knowledge. It is always important to discuss anything we talk about with your own healthcare provider. This is not direct personal medical advice as you are not our patients however, we want to give the public the information we already have, so you are more informed to make your own choices.