HEALTH HINTS

 JUST IN CASE…  FLU Reminders

 There is wisdom in the ancient Jewish saying, “Trust God, but tie up your camel.”

Basically we need to trust God for keeping us safe from harm, but we need to use common sense in protecting ourselves, especially our health.  According to predictions, we may be facing a flu epidemic comparable to that of the 1920’s.  There are some things we can do to protect ourselves—to “tie up our camel,”—just in case it really happens.  You can go to The Center for Disease Control (CDC)  and the Department of Health and Human Services, Food & Drug Administration^[2] website to find more information.

Know the organism!  Influenza is an illness caused by a virus.  There is no “silver bullet”; antibiotics won’t work on viruses.  If you had the flu last year, you may have some immunity this year.  However, the virus “mutates” or changes so your antibodies and the drugs developed to deal with last year’s flu virus are often found not to be effective this year.  Here is some information about preventive self care for your consideration.

1. Get the flu shot each year, as recommended by your health care provider seems to be the best protection available for those who can receive it.
2. On average, it takes two days after exposure to develop flu symptoms.  An exposed individual can infect others one day after exposure and five days after developing flu symptoms. 
3. Check with your pharmacist for the best over-the-counter (OTC) remedies to counteract the flu symptoms, which include the following.
   1. Fever (sometimes high), Headache; Extreme tiredness; Dry cough;
   2. Sore throat; Runny or stuffy nose; Muscle aches;
   3. Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.
4. If you do get the flu, stay home, rest, drink lots of fluids, use a humidifier, and over the counter (OTC) remedies as needed.  Expect to be sick about a week; but tiredness can last for several weeks.  Don’t push yourself.
5. Call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or last too long.  Be in touch with your doctor if you have a chronic health issues such as a heart condition, asthma, or diabetes.
6. The old theory about infectious organisms is still valid.  The best defense you have is cleanliness.  A significant amount of infections organisms are transmitted through contact (touching an ill person or his/her pencils, books, etc.) and moisture droplets (walking through another’s sneeze and inhaling suspended droplets).
   1. Avoid crowds and being near someone coughing and clearly ill.  If you get sick, stay home to avoid spreading it to others and getting secondary infections yourself.
   2. Wash your hands with soap for 30 seconds or more, frequently, especially after shaking hands or touching public stair railings, elevator buttons, etc.  Use that hand sanitizing lotion when you can’t wash; a bottle of it in your car would be handy.
   3. Avoid touching your own face, especially your eyes and nose. This is where the virus enters the human body. Protect babies by avoiding touching its hands—babies naturally put hands into its mouth carrying all those germs right inside. 
   4. Be considerate of others by covering your cough and disposing of tissues wisely where others won’t be touching them.
   5. Avoid drinking after others or sampling one another’s food.
   6. Get plenty of rest, especially if you are in a stressful situation.
   7. And pray for guidance and protection.

© 2007 Bonnie Battey, Ph.D., R.N. Parish Nurse, commissioned 3/9/98