We have so many sources of information available to us these days that it is hard to sort out what information is credible and which we should disregard.  These three web sites are fantastic tools for flu prevention, coping with the flu after you come down with it, and keeping informed about the scope of this year’s Swine Flue outbreak:

Web Md        www.webmd.com

Centers for Disease Control   www.cdc.gov

World Health Organization    www.who.int/en/

These websites are constantly updated with new information that you can rely on.

Your state and local health departments also have vital information on their websites about areas where the flu outbreak is particularly concentrated, and schools or other public facilities may be temporarily closed.  For example, a school closure occurred at a prep school in New York after eight students were found to have swine flu.  Public health authorities may also provide advice on when to avoid crowds, where flu can be spread easily, when to consider postponing travel, or other social distancing strategies.

Keep informed by reading the newspaper and watching TV but keep in mind that these day the news media has a tendency to exaggerate terrible news and ignore excellent news.  They may report that a suspected case of swine flu (N1H1) has been reported in your area but then never follow up that the case was negative.

Plotting ahead can help you cope with this situation as well. Make sure you have stocked up on food, medicine, alcohol based hand rubs, and other supplies you may need should you or your family come down with the flu. If you are infected, you need to stay home and take care of yourself, not have to run out to the store where you could infect other people.

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Most parents dread when their young child or baby gets sick and with excellent 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 say 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.  But how the child is acting is more vital 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 hard 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 vital that children get fluids as quickly as possible.  It may not be possible for the child to consume enough quick 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.

Got The Flu And A Really Stuffy Nose?  Relieve The Symptoms

A stuffy nose makes it hard to breath and get the rest you need if you have the flu or a terrible cold.  Try these tips to make you feel better.

Irrigating the nasal  passages with a saline solution has shown to thin mucous, wash out virus particles and moisten dry mucous membranes.  There are over the counter sprays that help but if you’re trapped at home and too sick to go out you can come up with a solution yourself.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt with one cup (8 ounces) of warm water.  Use a bulb syringe to gently squirt the solution up one nostril at a time, holding the other one gently shut.  It’s best to do this over the sink to catch the water as it leaves.  Do each nostril 2 or 3 times.  Repeat as needed.

Sip a hot cup of honey lemon water.  Stir a teaspoon of honey with the juice of half a lemon into a cup of very hot water. 

Chicken broth as a decongestant is not an ancient wives tale and does work to relieve congestion.  The soup or broth doesn’t have to be homemade to work. Adding garlic, pepper or a bit of cayenne pepper to the soup helps it do an even better job of thinning mucous.

Use a humidifier.  If you don’t have one, take a steamy shower.  If you’re too weak for a shower, hold your head over a steaming bowl of hot water covered with a towel.  The towel traps the moist air so you can breath more easily.

Garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, curry powder, all thin mucous. 

Try these tips and you’ll feel better and be on the road to recovery.

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