Hey Answer Girl -

How come you can get West Nile disease vaccinations for horses but you can't for people?

-Mel from Riverton

It's all a matter of testing and standards. The short answer is that the equine vaccine (for horses) required less testing to be used on animals than the human equivalent would need. The Food and Drug Administration is pretty picky about what medications it lets out for people. If it weren't, the agency tends to get sued when medications go wrong.

For those who don't know, the West Nile is a cuddly little virus that ranges in severity from no symptoms to flu-like symptoms to encephalitis (a swelling of the brain that can result in body spasms and death). West Nile is a bully, and picks on the weak - small children and the elderly are most susceptible. It also infects birds, horses and a few other animals.

Justin Johnson, a veterinarian at Westside Animal Hospital in Casper, said he started using the equine vaccine in 2002. That year, he was tracking the vaccine's effects on horses because the vaccine was still in testing. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to be the human test for a vaccine containing a disease that makes your brain swell.

A few companies have been testing human vaccines since 2003. The first company to try, a Dutch medication manufacturer called Crucell, stopped developing its human vaccine in February because not enough cases of West Nile were showing up in humans.

And I'm sure the 3,700 people infected last year in the United States alone appreciate that.

Hey Answer Girl -

Why have ambulances in Casper been painted like murals? It makes them blend in, and they should stand out!

-Chris

The Wyoming Medical Center staff wanted to change the look and appearance of ambulances to draw attention to the medical center, said ambulance manager Mark Meyer.

"Those are all things that are predominant within the state of Wyoming," Meyer said, referring to the pictures on the ambulances. "We're trying to be proactive in promoting the state, and we're very proud of being from Wyoming."

As for the vehicles blending in, Meyer said that people have a tendency not to see emergency vehicles, no matter what color they are. And with reflective lettering all the way around the vehicle and sirens blaring, I'm not sure white paint would help the ambulance with visibility any more than a mural.

Hey Answer Girl -

How does one get a blue handicapped sticker for their car? Is it through the hospital or the Department of Motor Vehicles or the courthouse?

- Questioning in Casper

The Wyoming Department of Transportation's driver services department takes care of the disability stickers and placards for the state of Wyoming.

To get one, apply in person at your county's Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV for Natrona County is at 800 Bryan Stock Trail on the east side of Casper.

You'll need a Wyoming license or proof of residency in Wyoming. Some forms will be completed at the exam station, then a form will have to be filled out by your doctor confirming that you need a placard.

Current permanent disability placards are valid until 2018. Temporary disability placards are valid for six months and can only be renewed once.

Hey Answer Girl -

I do exercises for my back and was told by rehab people to always let out my breath when raising weights. Why should we let our breath out when we raise weights or anything else heavy?

-Bewildered Bob in Casper

According to Leah Norman, a personal trainer and program coordinator at Life Time Health and Fitness in Casper, it's common practice for people to "exhale on exertion" (let your breath out when you're using the most energy) because it reminds people to keep breathing.

When people exercise for rehab or any other purpose, they tend to hold their breath. But not breathing during exertion tends to cause decreased oxygen flow to the muscles and brain.

People without proper oxygen to the brain lose consciousness.

And consciousness is vital to proper exercise technique. Thus, letting your breath out (and then back in, and out, and in, and…) is a good idea when lifting weights.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com

Ask Answer Girl

Answer Girl tackles your questions about Casper, the universe and everything else. Submit your questions by email to megan.lee@trib.com, or call Megan Lee at 266-0589.