January 31st, 2013 → 6:45 am @ Head Nurse
Actor Burt Reynolds is in intensive care in a Florida hospital, where he went for treatment of flu symptoms, one of his representatives said Friday. Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/25/showbiz/florida-burt-reynolds-hospitalized/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
January 23rd, 2013 → 8:36 am @ Head Nurse
It has been a record flu season so far, and people are doing whatever they can to avoid coming down with the ailment. But what can you do if you already have it?
Enter Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The Ohio-based company’s Influenza Sorbet won’t cure the flu, but it will definitely make you feel better, said the company’s founder and president.
The Influenza Sorbet contains honey, ginger, orange juice and lemon juice. And if that weren’t enough, it also has Maker’s Mark bourbon and cayenne pepper.
January 22nd, 2013 → 5:41 am @ Head Nurse
January 19th, 2013 → 5:26 pm @ Head Nurse
The flu has been widespread in Virginia since mid-December, which is unusually early. Now the first round appears to be winding down, but there are still months left in the flu season and experts say flu cases may spike for a second time, in a matter of days. Read more: http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Virginia-Health-Officials-Warning-of-Second-Wave-of-Flu-187531961.html
January 17th, 2013 → 3:25 pm @ Head Nurse
If you have been diagnosed with the flu, you should stay home and follow your health care provider’s recommendations. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about over-the-counter and prescription medications to ease flu symptoms and help you feel better faster. Read more: http://www.flu.gov/symptoms-treatment/treatment/index.html
January 16th, 2013 → 11:45 pm @ Head Nurse
With flu season hitting the United States hard, some vaccine shortages have been reported around the nation. Flu Shots To Go still has dosages of the vaccine available, but many areas do not. Read about why these flu vaccine shortages occur, and where to go to find shots in your area: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/16/flu-vaccine-shortage_n_2482257.html
January 16th, 2013 → 4:24 pm @ Head Nurse
Flu Shots To Go, LLC is helping companies and communities battle the flu epidemic with on-site vaccinations across Virginia
Charlottesville, VA – January 15, 2013 – The United States is currently experiencing the deadliest flu outbreak in a decade, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declaring 47 states are experiencing widespread influenza. Emergency rooms across the nation are flooded with patients looking for relief from symptoms of the flu. The city of Boston has even declared a public health emergency after the virus killed more than a dozen people and left hundreds struggling to fight off the illness.
Health professionals across the country are encouraging the American public to stay home if they experience flu-like symptoms, and to get vaccinated as soon as possible. According to Amy Stacy, RN, BSN and founder of Flu Shots To Go, LLC, “Getting a seasonal flu shot now is still your best protection against the influenza virus. But now is the time to act because it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.”
While individuals can still go to their health practitioner or local pharmacy to get a flu shot, many companies are offering on-site flu shot clinics that bring the vaccinations right to the workplace. The benefits of an on-site clinic include convenience; no need for employees to leave work to get their flu shot; improved employee wellness and morale; cost savings; and more.
Flu Shots To Go, LLC is one company that is offering affordable, convenient on-site flu vaccinations to companies and communities across Virginia. Says Stacy, “We are getting calls from local businesses, homeowners associations, health clubs, schools, churches – all types of places where people share community and/or congregate. People are becoming increasingly aware of the benefit of getting their flu vaccination, and an on-site clinic makes it so easy to service a company or group, plus their families (over the age of 4) are welcomed.”
To learn more about setting up an on-site flu shot clinic for your Virginia workplace or community group, contact Flu Shots To Go, LLC at 434-825-1213 or visit online at www.flushotstogo.com.
January 16th, 2013 → 6:00 am @ Head Nurse
Here is a handy slideshow with suggestions on what to eat when suffering with flu symptoms: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/home-remedies-9/slideshow-flu-foods
January 16th, 2013 → 5:52 am @ Head Nurse
If you’re suffering with the flu, you may be wondering if there’s a flu diet. After all, you’ve heard the adage “starve a fever, and feed a cold.” But what do you eat when you have both fever and cold-like symptoms that come with the flu?
Today, more than ever, we’re aware of the healing power of food to enhance immunity and aid in recovering from illness. Of course, proper nutrition is necessary for maintaining good health. But when your body battles flu symptoms for days or even weeks, your diet becomes even more essential in helping you achieve a speedy recovery. It’s critical that necessary vitamins and minerals be included in your daily diet to help you build your strength.
What Are the Benefits of Nutrients in Healing?
Nutrients are special compounds in foods that are essential to the body’s repair, growth, and wellness. Nutrients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and water as well as the sources of calories — carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. Some nutrients — called nonessential nutrients — are made by your body. Other nutrients — essential nutrients — must come from your diet. Any deficiency in nutrients can lead to illness if not corrected.
What Foods Help Fight Infection With Flu?
Whether you are sick with the flu or not, protein is always necessary to keep your body strong. Proteins are essential to help your body maintain and build strength. Lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nuts and seeds are good sources of protein.
The FDA recommends that adults eat 50 grams of protein per day. Pregnant and nursing women need more. By eating foods high in protein, we also get the benefit of other healing nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B12, both of which contribute to a healthy immune system.
Vitamin B6 is widely available in foods, including protein foods such as turkey and beans as well as potatoes, spinach, and enriched cereal grains. Proteins such as meats, milk, and fish also contain vitamin B12, a powerful immune booster.
Minerals such as selenium and zinc work to keep the immune system strong. These minerals are found in protein rich foods such as beans, nuts, meat, and poultry.
Can Flavonoids Boost Immune Function?
Flavonoids (or bioflavonoids) include about 4,000 compounds that are responsible for the colors of fruits and flowers. Findings show that flavonoids found in the soft white skin of citrus fruits increase immune system activation. Flavonoids are found in grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes.
What Other Nutrients Help Fight Infection?
One nutrient that’s found to strengthen the immune system so it can fight other infections is glutathione. This powerful antioxidant is most plentiful in the red, pulpy area of the watermelon near the rind. Glutathione is also found in cruciferous vegetables like kale, collard greens, broccoli, and cabbage.
What Foods Should I Eat and Avoid if I’m Congested?
Actually, any food or beverage is fine to eat if you’re hungry or thirsty. In some people, dairy products increase mucus production. If this happens to you, avoid dairy for a few days. Dairy products may also make nausea and vomiting worse. Orange juice, especially with the pulp, is packed with vitamin C and folic acid, which help to boost immunity and speed recovery from illness. Some researchers suggest that vitamin C may even decrease the time you are sick with colds and flu.
What Should I Eat or Drink if I Have Nausea From the Flu?
It’s probably best to refrain from eating if you’re nauseated or have diarrhea. Instead, continue to sip clear beverages to keep your system well hydrated. In addition, increase your intake of fluids such as chipped ice, juices, Gatorade, ginger ale, clear broths, gelatin, and ice pops.
Start with small amounts, such as 4 to 8 ounces at a time for adults and 1 ounce or less at a time for children. Only use clear liquids (such as clear soup broth, juice, lemon-lime soda). If you’re not sure if it’s clear, put the liquid in a clear glass bowl and try to read something through it. If you can’t read, it’s not clear.
Warm decaffeinated tea with honey may help coat your throat and soothe it. Also, warm drinks work better than cold drinks for opening congested airways.
Once your stomach feels better, try the BRAT diet and slowly reintroduce whole foods back into your system. The BRAT diet, an acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce, and dry toast, is easily digested and unlikely to irritate your gastrointestinal system.
What About Grandma’s Chicken Soup?
Chicken soup is a must with cold-like symptoms. In fact, in a study published in the journal Chest, researchers confirmed that chicken soup had a mild anti-inflammatory effect that reduced symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.
A well-nourished immune system is better able to fight off infections. Once you recover from flu, make sure your diet is filled with a variety of food, colorful fruits and vegetables and legumes that are high in phytochemicals, which are natural food components that have health-boosting properties. In addition, get in bed early and aim for seven to nine hours of sleep to get your body back on the road to wellness.
Courtesy of WebMD
January 15th, 2013 → 5:10 pm @ Head Nurse
Are you or a member of your family at increased risk of getting the flu or experiencing flu-related complications? Learn who is at higher risk and special steps people in these groups should take during flu season: http://www.flu.gov/at-risk/index.html
