News Swine Flu

Most parents dread when their young child or baby gets sick and with good reason. Toddlers and infants can’t tell you how they feel, whether their throat hurts or their tummy is upset.  Their only recourse is to show you how they feel through their actions.

Unfortunately this young age group is also at a higher risk for complications from the Swine Flu (N1H1) because their immune systems are immature and not able to cope with the onslaught of the virus.   If you notice these symptoms in your child notify your doctor as soon as possible or take the child to an urgent care service.

Difficulty breathing

Profuse vomiting

Lethargic and unreactive

Many parents become concerned when the child’s temperature goes above 100 degrees.  However how the child is acting is more important than any number on the thermometer.  Young children seem to be able to cope with a high fever better than adults.  A temperature of 104 may be serious in an adult but manageable in a child.

Children sleep longer when they’re ill if their symptoms allow them to.  If a child is sleeping much longer, is difficult to wake up, and seems groggy, that may be a warning sign.

Dehydration is serious in infants and children.  Symptoms include sunken eyes, dry mouth, decrease in wet diapers and lethargy.  At this point it is important that children get fluids as quickly as possible.  It may not be possible for the child to consume enough fast enough to re-hydrate themselves. That may mean intravenous fluids administered in a hospital.

Don’t panic but watch children closely when they’re ill with the Swine Flu (N1H1) or any time they’re sick.

Uncategorized Health, Swine Flu, Swine influenza

While decreasing the amount of stress in your life won’t prevent you from coming down with an illness like the Swine Flu (H1N1) less stress means a stronger immune system.  A strong immune system means you can fight off the flu more effectively.  Here are a few tips to lessen stress.

Only Worry When it Counts
There are some things you can control and many you can’t.  Only worry about what you can control, otherwise it’s wasted.  For example:  If you’re in charge of a family reunion picnic –  you can’t control the weather.   What you can control is the location.  So make sure that there is a rained-out alternative just in case, then you won’t have to worry about the weather.

What’s Really the Problem?
Often we overreact to situations because we’re concerned about something else.  Say, your boss comes in and asks you to fast track a project you’ve been working on and you become livid with outrage.   Maybe you’re not really angry with your boss, the project or the new deadline.  It could be you’re upset because your teenage son didn’t come home till past midnight.  If you can figure out what’s really the problem you can save yourself a lot of stress and concentrate on solving the problem, instead of creating new ones.

Live Each Day for That Day
The past can’t be repeated it can only be learned from.  The future hasn’t happened yet.  Right now is the only time you have.  Learn to let go of events in the past. Don’t aggravate yourself by thinking what you might have done.  Forgive yourself for your mistakes and remember what you’ve learned.

Uncategorized Health, Infectious Diseases, Swine influenza, Viral

Stress in modern day life is nearly impossible to avoid even without the worries of whether you’ll come down with Swine Flu (H1N1).  Stress makes the body more susceptible to catching a virus.  Here are a few tips to decrease stress in your life.

Take a few minutes for quiet time.
We’re surrounded by noise.  The TV’s always going.  The radio gets turned on the moment we get in the car.  The loud speakers blare as we grocery shop.  It’s a noisy world and that noise can add to stress levels.  Enjoy the peacefulness of quiet.  Intentionally spend 15 to 30 minutes in peaceful silence.  You don’t even have to do anything but listen to the silence if you don’t want to.

Start Your Day on a Positive Note
Don’t get bogged down by last night’s dishes, early morning laundry chores or racing around the house to get yourself ready for work.  That’s just starting your day loaded with stress.  Start the day by reading from your favorite inspirational book.  Have a cup of coffee on your back porch looking at the sun rise. Take a few moments and write in your journal.  The world will wait and you will be ready for it.

Take Time for Yourself Every Day.
Do something you enjoy every day.  It can be something as simple as taking a walk with your puppy pal, or stroking your kitty cat.  Value yourself by giving yourself a treat.  If you love to garden but just haven’t had the time.  Make the time. Buy an assortment of herbs and pots and potter for a bit. Doing something you like is a great stress buster.

You can’t prevent the Swine Flu (H1N1) but you can decrease the odds that you’ll get it if you de-stress your life.

Uncategorized Conditions and Diseases, Infectious disease, Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, Swine influenza