The Flu

I posted a few days ago about the flu, and a young friend of ours who died of the flu last week.

The CDC has now declared this year's flu strain to be at epidemic levels.

You can read more about it here:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/12/31/cdc-child-deaths-flu-influenza/21104671/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/12/30/this-seasons-flu-activity-has-reached-the-epidemic-threshold-the-cdc-says/

I wrote about this last week, but I want to repeat it, this flu is a killer.

If you or your kids are sick, stay home.

Push lots of fluids.

If you need groceries or meds, consider using a drive through, friend, or online delivery service to minimize the impact you have on the environment around you, and to hopefully help stop the flu from spreading.  I was at Wal-Mart yesterday and saw a good 40 people, hacking, wheezing, and barely able to stand hanging around the pharmacy.  As soon as I saw them, I turned around and left.  I don't particularly want to do battle with the flu.


If you are healthy, what can you do to stay healthy?

Stay away from places where lots of people gather.

Get exercise.  If you can get out in this weather and walk, do so.

Keep drinking lots of water.  Help your body flush the toxins out.

WASH YOUR HANDS.  Let me repeat that again:  WASH YOUR HANDS.  Every time you pass a sink, every time you use the bathroom, every time you use a shared surface.  (keyboard, doorknob, shopping cart handle.)

DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE.  Again, I'm going to repeat it: DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE.  The mucus membranes around your eyes and nose are primary entry points for viruses.  Keep your hands away from your face.  (Admit it, your nose itches now, doesn't it?  Little itchy eye thing going on now, right?)

You can read my post from last week, along with tips from the CDC, telling you when to go to the hospital, and how to fight the flu here: http://mini-van-mom.blogspot.com/2014/12/this-years-flu-strain.html.

Tamiflu, if you can find it, will help lessen the symptoms of the flu.  In order for it to be effective, it must be begun within 48 hours of the symptoms presenting. 

Be aware that if you go to the ER, Doctor's Office, or Urgent Care center, you will be asked to wear a mask.  Just do it.  You don't want to spread what you have to others who are not yet sick, and you don't want to pick up something new, on top of what you already have.  The mask is for everyone's protection.  (Yep, people are complaining about having to wear a mask in the ER.)