Vonnies Health Spot

YOU CAN SPREAD THE FLU BEFORE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE IT

According to Julie Louise Gerberding, MD, MPH, director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, www.cdc.gov, “A person can spread the virus that causes influenza starting one day before he/she feels sick, and several days after onset of symptoms. Influenza should not be taken lightly—life-threatening complications, including bronchitis and pneumonia, can occur. Get an influenza vaccination from your doctor, public health center, senior center or pharmacy.”

A few years ago I caught a strain of flu that was so virulent it sent me to the hospital after I suffered through several days of vomiting and diarrhea. I knew I should stay hydrated ... and I tried, but I couldn't even keep water down and I as soon as I swallowed them I hurled the pills intended to suppress vomiting. After four days of that, I thought I had come through it okay and I went to the kitchen with the intention making a light breakfast. I fainted dead away. When the EMTs arrived they couldn’t even find a blood pressure reading. It turns out I was severely dehydrated. After the emergency room replaced my lost fluids and sent me home, I was weak for days. I learned my lesson and I hope you, dear reader, never have to go through such an experience. Following are some ways to protect yourself. They're pretty basic, but they still work.

*Get vaccinated yearly.
*During flu season be a little obsessive about keeping your hands clean, wash them frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds, or if you’re in a situation where you can’t wash, at least use alcohol gel or wipes.
*Avoid situations that might expose you to the virus whenever you can.
*If you do come down with it, don’t try to tough it out as I did, thinking you will recover on your own, instead get medical attention before it’s too late and to make sure it really is flu, many other serious illnesses start off with flulike symptoms.

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Disclaimer: The purpose of this weblog is not to dispense medical advice nor in any way is meant to be construed as diagnostic or prescriptive. Always check with your physician before beginning any new program or trying any of the items discussed in the posts that appear on this site.

A SIMPLE WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM INFECTION

I guess by now most of you have heard media reports about MRSA (or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection being on the rise; some people still refer to it as a “staph infection.” About 10 to 15 years ago a strain emerged that has been dubbed community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The organism is one that rapidly evolves, outwitting most antibiotics, (Vanomycin is one of the few left that is still effective against hospital strains).

About 30 percent of the population are carriers. That means healthy people harbor colonies of the staph bacteria on their skin and around their noses, yet suffer no ill effects. They can pass the germ on to others, however, who may not have as high an immunity level. Staph bacteria are usually harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or other wound, and even then in healthy people they usually cause only minor infections. But in the population with compromised immune systems, such as older adults, those who are HIV positive, or people on various kinds of immuno-suppressants, MRSA or CA-MRSA can cause serious skin and soft tissue infections and a serious form of pneumonia. By the way, the combination of flu and pneumonia is the eighth-leading cause of death in the USA.

With cold and flu season rapidly approaching [colds and flus are caused by viruses, which lower our immunity and make us more vulnerable to staph and other infectious bacteria], one simple thing that many of us can do to protect ourselves and others is to frequently wash hands or disinfect them with alcohol gels. Studies have shown that despite the proven health benefits of hand washing, many people still don’t practice this habit, even after they use the toilet. You can pick up germs by touching anything that is accessed by the public at large, door handles, gasoline pumps, counter tops, pens, key pads on ATMs, etc.

The Mayo Clinic recommends the following as the proper method of hand washing with soap and water. By the way, you don’t need antibacterial soap; it’s been proven that it is no more effective than regular soap, and its use actually may lead to resistant strains as well.
*Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean bar soap [in my opinion liquid soap is safer]. Lather well.
*Rub your hands together vigorously for at lest 15 to 20 seconds. [I’ve found that singing the Happy Birthday song at a normal tempo is just about the right timing.]
*Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
*Rinse well.
*Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
*Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

Sometimes you may not have access to soap and water and that’s when alcohol-based sanitizers come in handy. They are also easier on skin than frequent washing because they contain softeners. Just make sure you’re using a sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Following is the proper technique for using sanitizers:
*Apply about ½ teaspoon to the palm of your hand.
*Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces including your wrists, until they’re dry.
*Teach your children to wait until the alcohol evaporates before they touch anything. (Little ones are often in a hurry.)

To help protect your children and the rest of your family from frequent infections, teach them to wash their hands often and set a good example for them by doing so yourself.

Always clean your hands:
*When they have any visible dirt
* When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations and restaurants
*After using the toilet
*After changing a diaper—wash the diaper-wearer’s hands, too
*Before and after touching a sick or injured person
*Before and after treating wounds or cuts
*After touching animals or animal waste
*Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish
*Before eating
*After handling garbage
*After blowing your nose
*After coughing or sneezing into your hands
*Before inserting or removing contact lenses

For more information, click on www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407.

________________________________________________________ Disclaimer: The purpose of this weblog is not to dispense medical advice nor in any way is meant to be construed as prescriptive. Always check with your physician before beginning any new program or trying any of the items discussed in the posts that appear on this site.