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Faux Flu Remedies Hit Stores Nationwide

February 7th, 2013 → 4:37 pm @ Head Nurse

With flu season in full swing, scammers have found a way to capitalize on those looking for a quick cure. According to the Federal Drug Administration, there are plenty of products claiming to treat influenza. However, they say no such legal over-the-counter flu remedies exist. Read more: http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/12_for_action/faux-flu-remedies-hit-stores-nationwide

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Do Coffee Cups Spread Colds and Flu?

December 17th, 2012 → 4:51 am @ Head Nurse

Q: I am trying hard to avoid catching a cold or the flu. I was shocked to see the barista at the coffee shop grab my cup by the edge and then press the lid on with her palm. That wouldn’t be so bad if she hadn’t just made change. I wonder how many people get sick and never associate it with their coffee cup?

A: People have strong opinions about this issue. Many readers share your concern, especially if they want to sip from the cup through the lid. Others think it is silly to worry about germs on coffee-cup lids.

It is relatively easy to transmit microbes via coffee cups. A study conducted at the University of Virginia demonstrated that half of the volunteers touching contaminated coffee-cup handles caught colds (American Journal of Epidemiology, November 1982).

Cold and flu viruses can last up to several days on surfaces such as light switches, door handles, TV remotes, pens, faucets or phones (Journal of Medical Virology, October 2007). Avoiding a cold or the flu requires washing hands and keeping them away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Getting a flu shot will also improve your chances of staying healthy.

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Who Should Get Vaccinated Against Influenza?

September 22nd, 2012 → 1:05 pm @ Head Nurse

The following lists include all groups recommended to get the flu vaccine, as well as those who are not recommended to receive either the flu shot or the nasal spray vaccine. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions regarding what flu vaccine options are best for you and your family.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm

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Pregnancy and Vaccine Safety 2011-2012

October 29th, 2011 → 10:49 am @ Head Nurse

Influenza (flu) vaccine safety studies are reporting good news for pregnant women. This research was presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) in October 2011.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Concerns/pregnancy_influenza.html

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CDC Expert Commentary: Influenza Vaccination 2011-2012 Recommendations

September 21st, 2011 → 11:55 am @ Head Nurse

Dr. Tim Uyeki from CDC’s Influenza Division, discusses recommendations for Influenza Vaccination 2011-2012.

The influenza vaccination recommendation this year is simple: Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive influenza vaccine. The annual “universal” influenza vaccination recommendation was first established in 2010 to expand protection against influenza to more people.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/749477?src=emailthis

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So What Do You Eat If You Have The Flu?

September 16th, 2011 → 12:51 pm @ Head Nurse

So, you have the flu. Good nutrition will ensure a speedy recovery.

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

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