Tag Archives: flu

How to Use Medication Safely

When you child wakes up in the middle of the night with a fever, do you automatically reach for the medication to make her feel better? Or maybe you were given a certain medication for your child at a sick visit. Here are some things to know to use medication safely. Always be aware of the proper dosages of any medication for your baby, toddler or preschooler. You should have a recommended dosage for all common fever and pain reducers, such as infants or children’s Tylenol and children’s Motrin. If you aren’t sure what the dose is, contact your pediatrician. … Continue reading →

Flu Type A vs. Type B

Lately, I find the flu capturing my interest. For a long time, I thought the flu was just the flu. Just another virus going around. But it turns out that there’s more than one type of flu… WAY more than one. The influenza virus is divided into three types: Type A: the most common version of the flu. It is also the most serious — the one that caused flu epidemics throughout history. Influenza A can infect people, birds, pigs, horses, and other animals. Type B: a milder version of the flu. Also to blame for epidemics in the past, … Continue reading →

Updating the Flu Shot

The flu vaccine is new every year. The influenza virus evolves quickly, and the vaccine has to change every year to keep up. This year’s flu shot is getting some attention in the news lately. It seems like the flu shot did well protecting people for the first part of the flu season, but now cases of influenza are on the rise. Why? Because the strains that are very active this year aren’t strains that were covered in the 2008 flu shot. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control say that only about forty percent of the people who got vaccinated … Continue reading →

Beat Colds and Flu Faster

Do you ever feel like your body WANTS to be sick? Over the last week or so, I’ve been feeling the first hints that there may be a cold on the horizon: a scratchy throat, a drippy nose, and a general feeling of fatigue. Here are some tips to help you beat colds and flu faster this winter! Work on your resistance. When I start to feel crummy, I reach for my Echinacea and goldenseal supplements — but there are lots of different options out there! Check your local health food store or the vitamin section of your favorite pharmacy … Continue reading →

When to Call Out Sick

I’ll admit it — there have been times when I’ve called out sick and was feeling just fine. But there have been just as many times when I’ve dragged myself to work when I should have stayed in bed! They call it “presenteeism” — people going to work when they’re sick. And it’s an epidemic in the United States. As much as 75% of the workforce is willing to go into the office when they aren’t feeling well. But are you really as productive when you’re sick? I’m usually not. The lost productivity from presenteeism can be more expensive to … Continue reading →

A Type II Diabetes Journey: When You’re Sick

I’ve been sick all week. Not with the sniffles or a mild cold, but with a knock-you-off-your-feet, scramble-your-brain-in-pain virus. It happens once a year. The virus rips through the Northwest, depleting workers’ sick time, lowering attendance at school significantly, and driving some to their doctor’s offices. If I weren’t relegated to “Dr. Duty” in the military healthcare system, I probably would’ve gone in, even if it were just for some pain relief. Instead, I sit here with my Theraflu Severe Cold Formula and my quilt wrapped around me. They offer some comfort, especially the heavy quilt. In a week where … Continue reading →

The Norovirus is attacking!

Recently the nation has experienced a string of norovirus outbreaks. They have been identified in the Boston area, Washington and Virginia and the virus was also blamed for an outbreak of illnesses at an Indianapolis Olive Garden restaurant. So, what exactly is a norovirus and how worried should you be? Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” or gastroenteritis. Norovirus is the official name for 5 viruses that act like the original “Norwalk virus,” which caused an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1968. Noroviruses are the cause of “stomach flu” (not … Continue reading →

Germs and Family Get Togethers

Why is it that when families get together germs seem to multiply and spread like wildfire. As a child I remember that at our annual Thanksgiving get together at my grandparents inevitably someone would get sick. One year on the way home we stopped multiple times for my mom and brother to throw up. This year our family get together was no exception. For starters I was planning on driving back with my parents after Christmas and then my husband was going to join us on the weekend. But my youngest got sick so we sent my son back with … Continue reading →

How To Have A Healthy Winter

Ready for a crazy winter health statistic? Employers shell out billions of dollars worth of sick pay in the winter months. Billions! If you’d rather see more of that money go into your annual bonus check, it might be worth it to stay healthy this winter. And if your employer isn’t paying for insurance and sick days, it’s saving YOUR money to stay healthy during the winter months. Get a flu shot. It’s not too late! The best time for the vaccine is in October and November, but better late than never. The vaccine is shown to offer up to … Continue reading →

Alternative Flu Remedies

Last week I thought I had the flu. Actually, I thought I had strep throat, but it turned out to be a severe cold, sore throat, and upset stomach (at least that’s what “Ask-A-Nurse” decided it was). Prior to calling the nurse (I was convinced it was the flu and diagnosed myself with such) I sought out treatments to combat the flu. Do you have any idea how many different products there are that claim to prevent and treat flu-like symptoms? Tons. Let me be clear, it’s never a good idea to self-diagnosis your maladies (that’s what doctors are for). … Continue reading →