How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

• Get adequate sleep, even if your routine is interrupted by guests and/or travel, maintain a regular sleep schedule as much as possible.

• Eat healthy, nutritious foods. Avoid getting into the fast-food routine because you're busy.

• Take a high-potency multivitamin if you are not already doing so. You may want to take extra vitamin C to help boost your immune system.

• Avoid taking on too much. You can't do everything, and you will become stressed and fatigued if you try to.

• Attend the parties you really want to go to, not the ones that you just feel obligated to attend.

• Streamline your shopping. Use the Internet or mail-order catalogs. Shopping from home will save you energy. In addition, you will avoid crowded stores packed with all types of germs.

• Keep up your exercise program.

• Avoid excessive drinking. You may end up with a hangover and/or feel drained and fatigued.

• Make private time. Relax, read, take a bath - time for yourself will rejuvenate and refresh you. Contributor

Do I Have a Cold or the Flu?

Figuring out if you have a cold or the flu can be difficult. Learn how to spot the differences

By Krisha McCoy

You feel awful: You are running a fever, your nose is runny, you have a cough, and your head is pounding. Is it just a cold, or could you be dealing with the flu? It's often hard to tell.

Cold vs. Flu Symptoms: Finding the Cause

Both the cold and the flu, or influenza, are respiratory infections, but they're caused by different viruses. A cold can be caused by any one of more than 200 distinct viruses, while there are only a handful of viruses — called influenza viruses — that cause the flu.

As a general rule, the flu is usually more intense and fierce than the common cold. (However, those people who have been stuck in bed dealing with debilitating colds may argue the point.) In some situations, it can be important to know if you have the flu, since it is more likely to lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, bacterial infection, or hospitalization.

Cold vs. Flu Symptoms: Spotting the Differences

Fever, runny nose, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches are symptoms shared by both cold and flu. Although cold and flu share some of the same symptoms, certain indicators are common with each individual condition.

It's difficult to identify if you have a cold or flu because these symptoms overlap. It may be helpful to remember that a runny, stuffy nose is a common indicator of a cold, along with scratchy throat, sneezing, watery eyes, and a mild fever (below 102 degrees Fahrenheit).

Symptoms that indicate flu tend to be more severe than with a cold and include fever (above 102 degrees Fahrenheit), nausea, cough without phlegm, chills, body aches, sweating, and lack of appetite.

In addition to examining your symptoms, watch how these symptoms develop in order to give you a clue as to whether you have a cold or the flu. Cold symptoms tend to develop gradually, while flu symptoms can come on suddenly, without warning.

Cold vs. Flu Symptoms: Seeking Medical Care

Your doctor can perform tests in the first few days after you develop symptoms to determine whether you have a cold or the flu. However, you usually don't need to visit the doctor unless your symptoms are severe, you have a pre-existing health problem that puts you at high risk of a complication, or your symptoms indicate a more serious infection.

Whether you have a cold or the flu, expect your symptoms to stick around for about 10 days. There is no cure for a cold, but in some severe cases of the flu, your doctor may recommend an antiviral medication to speed up your recovery time. Antiviral drugs are considered a second line of defense after flu vaccinations.

Since both the common cold and the flu are caused by viruses, not bacteria, antibiotic medicines are not of any use in combating them.

Get plenty of rest, avoid smoking and alcohol, drink plenty of water and juice, and take over-the-counter medication to treat specific symptoms to help you feel better as your body fights off the infection.

Swine flu facts: H1N1 information guide to protect yourself and your family

President Obama has declared swine flu a national emergency.

"In recognition of the continuing progression of the pandemic,” Obama wrote in his official proclamation, announced Saturday, “and in further preparation as a nation, we are taking additional steps to facilitate our response.”

But what can you do?

First and foremost, educate yourself with the latest information on the swine flu, or H1N1 virus.

The Daily News linked up with Yahoo! to analyze the tens of millions of swine flu-related searches on their U.S. website over the past month -- and found the ten key questions Americans are asking about the virus.

Dr. Richard Besser, former head of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and senior health and medical editor at ABC News, provides the answers.

1. What is swine flu?

Swine flu is the name for the new strain of influenza virus that is circulating around the globe. It first appeared in April of 2009 in the U.S. and Mexico, and has quickly spread to all parts of the world.

2. What are the symptoms of swine flu?

The symptoms of swine flu are exactly the same as the symptoms of seasonal flu, which include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, and fatigue.

There is nothing about swine flu that tells you it is swine flu and not seasonal flu, so you really have to look to public health and say, “Hey, what’s going on in my community?” This summer, if you had flu symptoms, it is likely that you had swine flu because that was all that was circulating.

3. How many people have died from swine flu?

It’s hard to say exactly how many people have died from swine flu. From April through the end of August, the CDC reported 9,079 swine flu hospitalizations and 593 deaths in theUnited States. From August 30th through October 10th, there were 292 reported swine flu deaths, and another 2,029 deaths that were reported either as influenza or pneumonia - some of those probably weren’t swine flu.

According to the World Health Organization, as of October 17th, there have been more than 414,000 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 and nearly 5,000 deaths. Most likely, there have been millions of cases around the world that have gone undiagnosed and unreported.

4. How long does swine flu last?

In general, you feel pretty lousy for three days, and you start to improve over the next few days though you may have a cough which lingers for weeks. If you don’t start to feel better after three or four days, you should see a doctor. Another important thing to note is that if you are starting to get better and then take a turn for the worse - meaning you get a high fever - then you need to seek medical care right away because that could mean you have a bacterial infection on top of the flu.

5. What is the swine flu incubation period?

The incubation period is the time from when you’ve been infected by the virus to when you start showing symptoms. The usual incubation period with swine flu is one to four days, but it can be up to a week.

6. Is there an increased risk of swine flu for pregnant women?

Pregnant women are at greater risk for swine flu and other respiratory infections for three reasons. During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system changes to allow the development of the baby, which can increase the risk of infection. As the pregnancy goes on, the sheer size of the developing fetus can limit a woman’s ability to take a deep breath by pushing up on the diaphragm, and taking a deep breath is a defense mechanism that forces things out of our lungs. And, lastly, many pregnant women have other children around the house, which can increase their risk of exposure to germs.

7. Swine flu vs. regular flu: How do they compare?

The big difference between swine flu and the seasonal flu has to do with who is at the greatest risk. Younger people are at greater risk for swine flu because they don’t have any underlying immunity or protection. On the other hand, the elderly are at greater risk for seasonal influenza. 90% of people who have been hospitalized for swine flu were under 65 years old. 90% of those who have been hospitalized for seasonal flu were over 65 years old.

8. Is the swine flu vaccine safe; what are the side effects?

This should be a very safe vaccine. It is made the exact same way as seasonal flu vaccines, which are given to over a hundred million people in this country every year. In fact, the swine flu vaccine actually went through additional testing this past spring to determine how many doses people would need, and that provided even more safety information. It is expected to have the exact same safety profile and side effects of the seasonal flu vaccine. The most common side effects of the injectable vaccine are redness, soreness, at the site of injection, and mild fever in the couple of days after the shot. The nasal spray vaccine also can cause a mild fever, and maybe a bit of a sore throat. It is important to remember that neither vaccine is really giving you the flu. Your body’s reaction to it is part of the way you develop immunity.

9. What are the ingredients in the H1N1 vaccine?

Again, there are two different vaccines. The nasal spray is what is called a "live attenuated vaccine." They take the virus and change it so that it can’t cause the flu, but it can infect the cells in your nose and cause an immune reaction. The injectable vaccine has a surface protein in it called hemagglutinin. All vaccines contain trace amounts of ingredients that are used in its manufacturing, as well as stabilizers so that the vaccine remains effective.

Also, if your vaccine comes from a multi-dose vial, it will have a very small amount of a preservative called thimerosol. It is important to remember that both vaccines can have trace amounts of egg protein in them, because the viruses that are used to make the vaccine are grown in eggs. People with egg allergies can’t receive either vaccine.

10. Other than taking the vaccine, what swine flu precautions can we take?

It’s important that people don’t forget those basic things that our moms taught us. Wash your hands with soap and water. If you don’t have soap and water, use a hand sanitizer. Cover your mouth when you cough with your sleeve, not your hands. Stay home when you are sick, and keep your kids home when they are sick so the respiratory infection does not spread. If you are a high-risk individual, talk to your doctor about what you should do if you get sick, so that you have a treatment plan. Those things can be very helpful and provide peace of mind.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/10/26/2009-10-26_swine_flu.html#ixzz0V5vVFtRp

Calming Children's Cold and Flu Symptoms

Calming Children's Cold and Flu Symptoms
What can parents do to ease children's cold and flu symptoms? Learn about treatment options available for this flu season.

By Susan L. Sullivan
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

It used to be that the biggest decision facing parents for their children’s cold and flu relief was whether “to starve a cold or feed a fever.” Today, we not only know why that question does not apply to flu season, but also that a variety of treatment options are available to help ease children’s cold and flu symptoms.

Flu Season: Is It a Cold or the Flu?

“It’s most important to understand that the cold and flu both start out as upper respiratory infections,” says Henry H. Bernstein, DO, professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, N.H., and member of the Committee for Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics.

Symptoms that the cold and flu have in common include coughing, headache, stuffy nose, fatigue, and muscle aches. Other cold symptoms are a runny nose, fever up to 102 degrees, sore throat, and sneezing. With the flu, on the other hand, a fever may be over 102 degrees and symptoms can include chills, sweats, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

“You cannot prevent the common cold, but you can prevent the flu by getting a flu vaccine every year,” Bernstein says. “Children age 6 months through 18 years should be vaccinated every year, and other age groups should get the vaccine if they are high risk for complications" like asthma.

Flu Season: Over-the-Counter Relief

Although there is no cure for either the cold or the flu, certain over-the-counter medications may help ease some of the discomfort associated with children’s cold and flu. For fever, headaches, muscle aches, and sore throats, children may take acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is important to use acetaminophen and any cold medications as directed on the package.

“Cough suppressants and decongestants should be used with caution because of side effects,” says Bernstein. “Although decongestants may help dry up secretions, they are a cardiac stimulant and can result in death if not used appropriately.” Other serious side effects from cold medications include convulsions, rapid heart rates, and loss of consciousness. “Cold and cough medications should not be given to children under age 6,” says Bernstein.

In general, doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for cold and flu because they are not effective against cold and flu viruses. However, Bernstein says doctors occasionally may prescribe an antibiotic if there is concern about a bacterial infection.

Never give aspirin or aspirin-containing medicines, including those with salicylate or salicylic acid, to children. The use of aspirin in children has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal disease that affects the liver, brain, and blood.

Flu Season: Cold and Flu Remedies

In addition to these treatment options, Bernstein says there are a number of ways parents can help their children feel better when a cold or flu strikes:

Have children sit upright to help them breathe better.
Use a bulb syringe to remove mucus from the nose.
Use saltwater nose drops to loosen mucus.
Use a humidifier or vaporizer in the child’s bedroom to help loosen nasal congestion.
Have children drink plenty of fluids.
Bernstein also recommends frequent hand-washing helps to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flu. Other ways to curtail the spread of cold and flu viruses include:

Teaching children to cough into their elbow and turn toward their shoulder
Not smoking in front of a child
Not sharing tissues
Avoiding crowded daycare centers
Reminding children not to touch their nose, mouth, or eyes
Cleaning door handles, bathroom facilities, and children’s toys with an anti-bacterial disinfectant
While children are not more susceptible than adults to cold and flu, their exposure tends to be higher. “Because of their ability to share their secretions and because they are not inclined to use the best hand hygiene, children spread germs more readily than adults,” Bernstein explains.

Flu Season: Do Homeopathetic Remedies Work?

According to Bernstein, there is no clear-cut home remedy to benefit to common cold. “Vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea are rumored to provide relief, but the research is not conclusive,” says Bernstein. “If you give children vitamin C in the form of orange juice, it will at least keep the kids well-hydrated.”

The steam from chicken soup or any hot beverage such as tea may help congestion and provide needed fluids. Foods high in vitamin A, such as spinach and broccoli, are also good for children suffering from a cold or flu.

Flu Season: When to Call the Doctor

Complications of colds and flu, including bronchitis, sinusitis, or other bacterial infections, need to be treated with antibiotics. Be aware, however, that what you might think is a cold or the flu could actually be strep throat or pneumonia, which also require antibiotics. Seek immediate medical attention if your child has:

Difficulty breathing
A bad headache
Confusion
A persistent fever
Chest pain
If your child does get the flu or a cold, time and TLC will help make the recovery process easier for both you and your little one.

Swimming Pool Safety Alert

Here's how to prevent accidents in and around the pool.

Each year, about 260 children under 5 drown in swimming pools. In addition, the suction from drains in swimming pools and spas, under certain conditions, can entrap swimmers underwater.

To help protect your family, be sure to take the following steps. Use layers of protection to prevent swimming pool drownings, layers of protection are essential. Place barriers completely around the pool, closely supervise young children, and be prepared in case of emergency. In addition: If a child is missing, always look first in the pool. Seconds count! Knowing how to swim doesn't make a child drown-proof.

Never use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Keep rescue equipment and a phone next to the pool. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Install physical barriers around the pool to limit access. Fences and walls should be at least 4-feet high and installed completely around the pool. Gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be out of reach of small children. If your house forms one side of the barrier for the pool, doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that sound when the doors are unexpectedly opened. Or, use a power safety cover, a motor-powered barrier placed over the water area, to prevent access by young children. For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured or removed when the pool is not in use.

Pool and Spa Entrapment Dangers: Never use a pool or spa with a missing or broken drain cover. Be sure a newer, safer drain cover is in place. The new drain covers are usually domed-shaped — instead of the old flat drain covers. Consider installing a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) , a device that will automatically shut off a pump if a blockage is detected.

Have a professional regularly inspect your pool or spa for entrapment or entanglement hazards. Plainly mark the location of the electrical cut-off switch for the pool or spa pump. If someone is entrapped against a drain, cut off the pump immediately. Instead of trying to pull the person away from the powerful suction, pry a hand between the drain and the person's body to break the seal.

Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission