Precautions to keep from catching Flu

[Whrose]

SoftTouch

 Sis Whrose originally posted this in response to the Pandemic thread and I thought it a good idea to break it out (copy it) and make it a sticky so people can have quick access to this information).

The common symptoms of the flu include:

    * Fever (usually high)
    * Headache
    * Muscle aches
    * Chills
    * Extreme tiredness
    * Dry cough
    * Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
    * Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults


Droplet precautions:
    
Droplet Precautions are designed to reduce the risk of droplet transmission of infectious agents. Droplet transmission involves contact of the conjunctivae or the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth of a susceptible person with large particle droplets containing microorganisms generated from a person who exhibits a clinical disease or who is a carrier of the microorganism. The patient can generate these droplets from coughing, sneezing, and talking, as well as during certain procedures such as suctioning and bronchoscopy. Transmission via large droplets requires close contact (within 3 feet or less) between the source patient and the susceptible individual. Droplets (due to their large size) do not remain suspended in air and travel short distances - three feet or less. Thus, Droplet Precautions require the use of a standard surgical mask within three feet of the patient. However, it is prudent to wear a mask upon entering the room of a patient on Droplet Precautions to avoid any inadvertent exposure.

Contact Precautions:

Contact Precautions are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of organisms and specific diseases by direct or indirect contact.

Direct contact transmission involves skin to skin contact and physical transfer of microorganisms to a susceptible host from an infected or colonized person, such as occurs when personnel turn patients, bathe patients or perform other patient care activities that require physical contact. Direct contact can also occur between patients that may have physical contact with each other.

Indirect contact transmission involves a susceptible host with a contaminated intermediate object, usually inanimate, in the patient's environment.  (Note from ST:  Think Any Surface you may come in contact with in public, e.g., a shopping cart handle, door handles, anything that anyone else may have touched before you...)

The best protection is not difficult if you know how the germ is spread.
 
If any one in the family develops respiratory symptoms get to the doctor today and ask about the many antivirals meds now available that may shorten the virulence and time of infection and decrease the risk of the fatal pneumonia and other complications possible and keep them home.

I have respiratory masks (available in most medical supply stores and which will protect you from the large droplet particles of shed virus) in my home kit, and a fast anti microbial hand wash solution in my purse which I plan on using should it present in my community and out doing necessary shopping or gassing up.

And above all PRAY.

[SoftTouch]

I went searching for discount medical supplies and came across these (perhaps someone else can find even better prices?):

Surgical Masks

Hand Sanitizers (no water needed)

Vinyl Gloves

[Whrose]

What You Should Know about Using Facemasks and Respirators during a Flu  Pandemic

A flu pandemic is an outbreak caused by a new flu virus that spreads around the world. The virus will spread easily from person to person, mostly through coughing and sneezing. Because the virus is new to people, everyone will be at risk of getting it.

During a flu pandemic, you can use simple actions to help protect yourself and others from becoming sick with the flu. No single action protects completely. If used together, the steps below can help reduce the chances of becoming infected.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your arm when you cough and sneeze.

• Stay away from other people if you are ill.

• Avoid crowded places and large gatherings as much as possible.

There may be times during a pandemic when you must be in a crowded setting or in close contact (within 6 feet) with people who might be ill. During such times, the use of a facemask or a respirator might help prevent the spread of pandemic flu.

Wearing a Facemask or a Respirator

Very little is known about the benefits of wearing facemasks and respirators to help control the spread of pandemic flu. In the absence of clear science, the steps below offer a "best estimate" to help guide decisions. They will be revised as new information becomes available.

Consider wearing a facemask if

• You are sick with the flu and think you might have close contact with other people.

• You live with someone who has the flu (you therefore might be in the early stages of infection) and need to be in a crowded place. Limit the amount of time you spend in these crowded places and wear a facemask while you are there.

• You are well and do not expect to be in close contact with a sick person but need to be in a crowded place. Limit the amount of time you spend in these crowded places and wear a facemask while you are there.

Consider wearing a respirator if

• You are well and you expect to be in close contact with people who are known or thought to be sick with pandemic flu. Limit the amount of time you are in close contact with these people and wear a respirator during this time. These recommendations apply if you must take care of a sick person at home.

More at this CDC link about using respiratory masks.

[Whrose]

Also:

The virus is not acquired through the skin of the hands which is an beautiful barrier, but when the hands are infected by contact then touch the face..nose, eyes mouth.
So be mindful when out to not touch your face and keep washing those hands!

Had to add this because I am the overly cautious type. If you are seeking health care and visit clinics, MD offices, and hospitals, be mindful these places may pose more risk for transmission as infected patients seek medical services have been there, and follow the above advice to decrease your risks! Here is a perfect opportunity to ask your provider what they are doing to keep their area safe! (I always cringe at pedi offices that have those play areas for kids! I never let my child play with them or handle their toys, children lack the maturity to keep their hands off their face and cover their mouths and drippy noses and wash their hands)

[teachme]

Arizona is now on the "alert" for swine/bird flu, since we also border Mexico.  Since it has hit CA and Tex it's just
a matter of time.  I work in the grocery business, sneeze all the time from allergies, due to the winds we've been
getting the last few weeks, so, I'm probably doomed!!  I'm more worried about the mandatory vaccines which
will surely come soon!!   

[Whrose]

Arizona is now on the "alert" for swine/bird flu, since we also border Mexico.  Since it has hit CA and Tex it's just
a matter of time.  I work in the grocery business, sneeze all the time from allergies, due to the winds we've been
getting the last few weeks, so, I'm probably doomed!!  I'm more worried about the mandatory vaccines which
will surely come soon!!   

Keeping you close in prayer sis 

[Mike 99]

Arizona is now on the "alert" for swine/bird flu, since we also border Mexico.  Since it has hit CA and Tex it's just
a matter of time.  I work in the grocery business, sneeze all the time from allergies, due to the winds we've been
getting the last few weeks, so, I'm probably doomed!!  I'm more worried about the mandatory vaccines which
will surely come soon!!  

Here in Western AZ I have been fighting URI since Easter Sunday. The winds during the day and the high dust/pollen (some believe the dried sewage from the BLM) in the air. I thought it was asthma but maybe not. Doing high doses Vit. C.  About a month ago the VA wanted to give me flu vaccine. I said Definitely Not! 

Teachme watch out for those killer

[SoftTouch]

Teacme watch out for those killer

 

[SoftTouch]

Symptoms to watch for:

The common symptoms of the flu include:

    * Fever (usually high)
    * Headache
    * Muscle aches
    * Chills
    * Extreme tiredness
    * Dry cough
    * Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
    * Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults

[Hahnna]

This is for Whose (and anyone else out there with a weakened Immune System):  Get some Olive Leaf Extract as soon as you can.  If you can get Olive Leaf from the Health Food Store (they sell it in bulk)--that's even better.  Olive Leaf kills ANY Virus it comes in contact with.  There are a couple of excellent books out on what it does, but I can't even remember the names of them, and after my daughter died I put everything in storage and moved up North with my sister until I could get direction from the Lord on what to do with the Rest of my life.  I HAVE used it in the past to counteract Colds, and--It works!  If you can get the whole leaf, make sure that you don't break it up before yopu boil it (that starts releasing the substances that kill the viruses).  You can go to Shirely's Wellness web sit--think she has information on it on there.  Amazon would have one of the books I'm sure.

[SoftTouch]

This is for Whose (and anyone else out there with a weakened Immune System):  Get some Olive Leaf Extract as soon as you can.  If you can get Olive Leaf from the Health Food Store (they sell it in bulk)--that's even better.  Olive Leaf kills ANY Virus it comes in contact with. 

I found it here:  http://www.olivus.us/oliv...-oleuropein-2oz-p-15.html

[Whrose]

Great Hahnna! Thank you very much. I am going to try to get this from my local market, but if unable will try the internet. Will be interested in checking out its shelf life.

My immune system is suppressed on purpose in order to halt a severe form of auto immune arthritis so this is not a product I would want to use on a regular basis because of it might well put me into an acute flare (not fun).
But for use for viral exposure you can be sure I will try it and try it and conduct some of my own experiments.

I noticed this caution:

Safety Precautions
This product should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation. Use with caution if you are allergic to Olive tree pollen as it may cause a seasonal respiratory allergic reaction. This herb may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation, particularly if taken on an empty stomach.
Known Drug Interactions
Olive leaf may potentiate the effects of blood pressure lowering medications and theoretically may interact with anti diabetic medications due to its potential to affect glucose levels. Further, this herb may interact with drugs that inhibit blood clotting and platelet aggregation, including but not limited to warfarin (Coumadin®), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix®), pentoxifylline (Trental®), Talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.

Bless you sis...good advice indeed.

Oh LOL , noticed the new link just posted.  Off to check it out

[Whrose]

This is for Whose (and anyone else out there with a weakened Immune System):  Get some Olive Leaf Extract as soon as you can.  If you can get Olive Leaf from the Health Food Store (they sell it in bulk)--that's even better.  Olive Leaf kills ANY Virus it comes in contact with. 

I found it here:  http://www.olivus.us/oliv...-oleuropein-2oz-p-15.html

Got it sis...it may be a very good herb for you! You want to be my guinna and see what it does for those allergies?

[Whrose]

Hahnna...do you know how it affects glucose levels?

[summer]

Couldnt  find  this  in  my  Herbal  books.  Went  to  Mick adams  health  site.
The product, often sold in liquid form, contains at least 12 of the antioxidant polyphenols found in olive leaf thanks to the proprietary processing method developed by privately owned family firm Olive Leaf Australia.
"We had read in some studies that olive leaf compound had good antioxidant activity and decided to investigate this," said Julian Archer, one of the directors of the firm.
The team, led by Dr Lesley Stevenson at the Natural Products Pharmacology Unit at Southern Cross University, found that the olive leaf extract had an ORAC value of 10,465 mmol TE/g compared to 5,937 mmol for a green tea extract made by an internationally recognized plant extract firm and sold on the Australian market.
The gap was even wider for grapeseed supplements and vitamin C.
While olive oil has long been thought to offer health benefits, particularly for the heart, making supplements from the olive leaf is a relatively new concept.
Olive leaf extracts are often measured by their oleuropein content but Archer and his scientific colleagues think there is a synergy with the other polyphenols.
This potent antioxidant effect could offer major health benefits.
The company has commissioned a bioassay in the coming months to test the extract for its anti-inflammatory activity, as well as impact on cancer cells.
The lab tests will also check for anti-bacterial and anti-microbial activity.
At the same time, a human trial, to be carried out by the University of Queensland and the Wesley medical institute, will investigate the impact of the antioxidants on cholesterol reduction as well as their capacity to lower blood pressure by relaxing the arteries.
"Most customers are buying it for cold and flu, and others are buying it for particular conditions like arthritis, even though we cannot make claims for these," explained Archer.
 

Very  interesting::  I  wonder  if  this  is  also  for  the  olive  tree  that  does  not  give  olives,  We  have  these  trees  in  the  parks  here.  Called  olive  bushes?    I  will  add  this  to  my  collections..  Didnt  know  this/?

[Hahnna]

Whose:  I'm not sure on that, but if I recall correctly, I don't think it has any adverse effects.  I'll try to see if I can find something on my computer.  I included it in the Workshops I did on Holistic Health when I was working on that Certification, specifically targeted toward lower-income populations who normally don't have access to many Holistic Health modalities.  For what it Does--It's extraordinarily Cheap! I know that the Mission Olive tree grows in California, but where else--I'm not sure.  I'll see what I can find.

[Whrose]

Whose:  I'm not sure on that, but if I recall correctly, I don't think it has any adverse effects.  I'll try to see if I can find something on my computer.  I included it in the Workshops I did on Holistic Health when I was working on that Certification, specifically targeted toward lower-income populations who normally don't have access to many Holistic Health modalities.  For what it Does--It's extraordinarily Cheap! I know that the Mission Olive tree grows in California, but where else--I'm not sure.  I'll see what I can find.

Yes indeed it is!

It lowers blood glucose levels, decrease low density lipoproteins ( bad ones) and total cholesterol, and has anti bacterial effects.

Will continue to search in trusted biochem and medical journals.

[Hahnna]

Whose:  Found one article, but not anything on the book yet (some people have a filing sytem--I have a 'piling system'--still not sure how to get things from my computer to this USB storage system).  Anyway, I DO have information on it, but when I tried to Post it here--the information exceeded the length allowed and I couldn't.  What I did find out is that:  Yes, it can interact with aniti-diabetic meds.  Here's the infor I extracted from that article:

Evaluation/ContraindicationsThis product should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation. Use with caution if you are allergic to Olive tree pollen as it may cause a seasonal respiratory allergic reaction. This herb may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation, particularly if taken on an empty stomach.Known Drug InteractionsOlive leaf may potentiate the effects of blood pressure lowering medications and theoretically may interact with antidiabetic medications due to its potential to affect glucose levels. Further, this herb may interact with drugs that inhibit blood clotting and platelet aggregation, including but not limited to warfarin (Coumadin®), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix®), pentoxifylline (Trental®), and aspirin, due to its potential effects in encouraging healthy blood formation and blood flow. Before using this formula, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the claims contained in the information of this Website. We always advise people to consult a physician or other health professional about the use of herbs for specific conditions.

[Hahnna]

Whose: I have Arthritis too.  My knees were swelled to twice their size,  The doctor tried to put me on Naparin (think that's what it was), but I went on MSM and Chrondrotine (not sure if I'm spellling that right), and my arthritis went away.  Don't take cinnamon like I should, or Tart Cherries, but--Suppose I would if it starts acting up again!  Many in my family have been all crippled up by the arthritis.

[Mike 99]

Swanson Health Products

This is a good place to buy Herbal and Vitamins from.

I bookmarked it to olive leaf