6/2/07
Surviving The Flu
Author: Ethan Miller
An aggressive flu hit the western United States over the holidays. The California and Utah health departments reported widespread outbreaks in the first part of the year and a rash of cases have cropped up in nearby states.
The most vulnerable are babies, the elderly, and people who have trouble breathing. These people should see a doctor, according to Roger Baxter, the chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente's Northern California region.
The flu can cause death, especially in the very young and very old. However, the flu strains have become more dangerous, resulting in serious complications for some people.
The bright spot, says Joseph Bresee, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is that the vaccine seems to be working well against the most prevalent strain of flu.
The fist step to preventing a serious bout of the flue is to get a flue shot early in the year. There are many myths associated with the flu shot. The shot is safe and it is effective.
It is important to get the shot early in the season as it typically takes two weeks for the body to build immunity.
Cleanliness is vitally important. There is no solid proof that anti-bacterial hand washes prevent the flu, but they do help. It is a common myth that the flu is air-born. Most flu strains are passed on by touch.
The most important thing is to clean surfaces daily. This includes commonly touched surfaces like the telephone, door handles, the remote control, light switches, faucets, cell phones, car steering wheels, and keyboards.
Viruses are transferred by touch, but they enter the body through the nasal passages, eyes, and mouth. This is why washing should be done several times a day in the flu system. The area around the finger nails, nose, and mouth should be given extra attention.
People need to remember that they will bring most viruses home from work, the market, and friend's homes. It is important to keep gloves clean, and to leave all outdoor clothing in a closet at the front of the house.
Caution is the key. The old saying, 'it is better to be safe than sorry,' applies to protecting a home from viruses.
Avoiding sick people should be a key focus. This can be impossible. The next best thing is to avoid touching common surfaces like copier buttons, doorknobs, and bathroom fixtures. If there is someone at home in a high risk category, then wearing plastic gloves in the bathrooms, is not an excessive caution.
Many people overlook the most common methods of preventing the flu. Reduce stress, sleep eight hours, exercise, eat well, and maintaining a positive mindset will improve your immune system. Changing bedding frequently in the flu season will decrease the amount of bacteria and viruses the body needs to deal with.
Once the body is protected, and the total level of viruses and bacteria it needs to fight are decreased, then supplements can be added. These can range from ginger and peppermint, to herbal remedies, or drugs.
¶ 4:22 PM
Author: Ethan Miller
An aggressive flu hit the western United States over the holidays. The California and Utah health departments reported widespread outbreaks in the first part of the year and a rash of cases have cropped up in nearby states.
The most vulnerable are babies, the elderly, and people who have trouble breathing. These people should see a doctor, according to Roger Baxter, the chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente's Northern California region.
The flu can cause death, especially in the very young and very old. However, the flu strains have become more dangerous, resulting in serious complications for some people.
The bright spot, says Joseph Bresee, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is that the vaccine seems to be working well against the most prevalent strain of flu.
The fist step to preventing a serious bout of the flue is to get a flue shot early in the year. There are many myths associated with the flu shot. The shot is safe and it is effective.
It is important to get the shot early in the season as it typically takes two weeks for the body to build immunity.
Cleanliness is vitally important. There is no solid proof that anti-bacterial hand washes prevent the flu, but they do help. It is a common myth that the flu is air-born. Most flu strains are passed on by touch.
The most important thing is to clean surfaces daily. This includes commonly touched surfaces like the telephone, door handles, the remote control, light switches, faucets, cell phones, car steering wheels, and keyboards.
Viruses are transferred by touch, but they enter the body through the nasal passages, eyes, and mouth. This is why washing should be done several times a day in the flu system. The area around the finger nails, nose, and mouth should be given extra attention.
People need to remember that they will bring most viruses home from work, the market, and friend's homes. It is important to keep gloves clean, and to leave all outdoor clothing in a closet at the front of the house.
Caution is the key. The old saying, 'it is better to be safe than sorry,' applies to protecting a home from viruses.
Avoiding sick people should be a key focus. This can be impossible. The next best thing is to avoid touching common surfaces like copier buttons, doorknobs, and bathroom fixtures. If there is someone at home in a high risk category, then wearing plastic gloves in the bathrooms, is not an excessive caution.
Many people overlook the most common methods of preventing the flu. Reduce stress, sleep eight hours, exercise, eat well, and maintaining a positive mindset will improve your immune system. Changing bedding frequently in the flu season will decrease the amount of bacteria and viruses the body needs to deal with.
Once the body is protected, and the total level of viruses and bacteria it needs to fight are decreased, then supplements can be added. These can range from ginger and peppermint, to herbal remedies, or drugs.
About the Author:
Ethan Miller advises on health issues from his web site http://www.lowcarbrescue. He invites you to receive his FREE health information guide here com at http://asthmaroom.com
Ethan Miller advises on health issues from his web site http://www.lowcarbrescue. He invites you to receive his FREE health information guide here com at http://asthmaroom.com
¶ 4:22 PM
