Tag Archives: flu

The Flu and Pneumonia

When I was growing up, my mother repeatedly warned me about getting pneumonia. “Don’t got outside without a coat, or you’ll get pneumonia,” or “Stay in bed with that cough or you’ll get pneumonia.” While we now know that going outside without a coat won’t make you catch pneumonia (although it can affect some people’s immune systems), she was sort of correct on one point. If you have the flu, you can develop pneumonia. I want to point out that pneumonia is not a bad case of the flu. The flu is a viral infection, separate from pneumonia. Pneumonia is … Continue reading →

How to Keep Your Children Healthy This Winter

Sometimes no matter what you do, your kids will get ill, but there are ways to help reduce the chances. Here is what you need to know to help keep your children healthy this winter. Limit The Outings The new norovirus that causes a miserable combination of vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and exhaustion is especially harsh. Doctors tell us that a person can be contagious before they even show symptoms and for two weeks afterward. Furthermore, the virus can live on common surfaces for a long time, and regular cleaning may not even kill it. Yikes. Because it is so … Continue reading →

Avoiding the Flu

If you’ve been watching the news, you know the flu is a serious health issue this season.  I know in Memphis, the school system sent home a note about how to avoid the flu.  But, it is nationwide.  Actor Burt Reynolds was hospitalized in the ICU due to severe hydration from the flu. So, what can you do to protect yourself?  The government has set up a website (http://www.flu.gov) with tips to help you make it safely through the season. The number one thing suggested by experts is to get vaccinated.  The vaccination is available for children as young as … Continue reading →

Help Your Toddler Avoid the Flu

Flu season is here, and this year it seems to be especially nasty. It is no fun to get the flu as an adult, and I cannot even imagine what it feels like to a toddler. Of course, parents want to do all that they can to help their little ones (and themselves) stay well during flu season. Here are a few things that you can do to increase your chances of getting through the season flu – free. Making sure that your toddler gets plenty of rest and eats a balanced diet are things that are important every day, … Continue reading →

Tips for Avoiding the Flu While Pregnant

When you are pregnant, you may try even harder than usual to avoid getting sick. The symptoms of pregnancy can be unpleasant at times, and you may shudder at the thought of adding the symptoms of a cold, the flu, or that stomach bug that is going around town to what you are already feeling. Since many cold medicines and other remedies are not recommended for use during pregnancy, it is a good idea to do everything that you can to prevent illness. That said, you may not want to run to the nearest pharmacy with your sleeve rolled up to … Continue reading →

A Case of the Flu Becomes Homework

One time when I was home schooling my girls I came down with a horrible case of the flu. Although I usually work right through illnesses, this one just about knocked the stuffing out of me. I spent most of my time in bed or in the bathroom. The first day was the worst so I just let my kids have the day off, took time out for myself, and figured we could make up the work another day. By the second day I finally felt I would survive the flu bug, but still didn’t have the strength to put … Continue reading →

Staying Home Sick

What started off in my daughter as a slight sniffly nose quickly turned into a full-fledged flu. I initially blamed the clear snot on teething, but it became obvious that it was more than that. The stream got thicker, her eyes became watery, her breathing rattled, and she was extremely cranky. Each time she woke up from a nap, she spit up a huge amount of what looked like snot. Deciding it probably wasn’t good for her to have it draining down her throat all night, I decided to sleep with her on the recliner in our living room. It … Continue reading →

Swine Flu: Two Week Rebound?

In the last few days, two of my friends who’ve had swine flu have been talking about a “swine flu rebound”. To make a long story short, it seems that a good number of people who have had swine flu experience a reappearance of symptoms a couple of weeks after they thought they were better. One friend thought it might be linked to folks over-exerting themselves. I can understand that — when I’m sick, I suddenly get the urge to go out and do things and be social… specifically because I know I can’t or shouldn’t be doing those things. … Continue reading →

First Swine Flu Case Confirmed in Family Pet

Despite all the worry about swine flu (H1N1) over the last few months, I’ve been confident that four-legged family members were safe from the disease. Until now. Government officials released information on Wednesday, November 11 about a cat from Iowa — thought to be the first confirmed case of swine flu in a feline. The thirteen year old cat exhibited the following symptoms: lethargy, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing. The vet who treated the cat described the symptoms as flu-like. Testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames confirmed that … Continue reading →

Caretakers and the Flu

Who is the caretaker in your family when somebody gets sick? When I was growing up, taking care of sick kids was my mom’s job (although she did share the duties with both of my grandmothers on occasion). With the double flu whammy this winter, you may find your family needing a caretaker. It’s all too easy for the flu (or another illness) to hop from one member of a household to another! Here are some tips to help keep the flu in check if somebody in your family gets sick. First and foremost, try to keep the sick person … Continue reading →