Seasonal Flu and You

News of this season's prevalent strand of influenza has the nation in a bit of a choke hold. Boston has declared a public health emergency because of the shear number of new cases. Yes, it is an epidemic and the number of deaths are rising. The question is, can we really reduce the likelihood on contracting the flu this season. And by how much? 

Here are the basics:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

But what about H3N2v? Swine to Human Transmission

CDC Recommendations For People At High Risk:

• If you are at high risk of serious flu complications and are going to a fair where pigs will be present, avoid pigs and swine barns at the fair this year. This includes children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions).

If you are not at high risk, take these precautions:

If you are not at high risk, take these precautions:

• Don’t take food or drink into pig areas; don’t eat, drink or put anything in your mouth in pig areas.
• Don’t take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers, or similar items into pig areas.
• Wash your hands often with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid close contact with pigs that look or act ill.
• Take protective measures if you must come in contact with pigs that are known or suspected to be sick. This includes minimizing contact with pigs and wearing personal protective equipment like protective clothing, gloves and masks that cover your mouth and nose when contact is required.
• To further reduce the risk of infection, minimize contact with pigs and swine barns.

And for those who are interested in what the natural methods for prevention are: 

1. Eat real food. Eating a healthy diet rich with fresh and cooked vegetables, healthy fats (like salmon andcoconut oil), and a variety of wholesome proteins goes a long way in maintaining optimal health. Increasing immune-supporting foods like raw garlic, ginger, lemons, honey, nuts, seeds, and yogurt can also ensure that your body gets sufficient nutrients to fight off potential invaders.

2. Get adequate sleep. Your immune system functions best when your body has time to repair and re-energize. Aiming for 8 hours of sleep every night not only boosts immunity against colds and the flu, it decreases the potential for all diseases and provides you with mental clarity throughout the day.

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, except immediately after you’ve washed your hands. Bacteria lives on shared objects, such as doorknobs, and can easily infect you through these entry points on your body.

4. Skip the crowds. This might be a challenge for commuters and kids, but germs are more likely to spread in densely populated areas. If you can’t avoid exposure to crowds, then prepare yourself with supplements of zinc and vitamin C.

5. Stay Active. Physical activity helps the body release toxic buildup that otherwise creates a welcome environment for a cold or flu. So don’t let the end-of-summer slump slow you down!

6. Be positive. We naturally grow more inward as the days get shorter and darker, but that’s no excuse to let emotions get the best of your immune system.  Happy people are less likely to get sick, so stay social, laugh, work on your hobbies, and make plans for the future.

House/Workplace Prevention: Touch Point Disinfection

Touch Point Disinfection focuses on touch points, those areas or items

 that are touched frequently by multiple people. Things like light switches, door

knobs, push plates, hand rails, elevator buttons and drawer handles are some

of the most likely places to pick up viruses and bacteria. Using a disinfectant

directly on the surface and allowing for the stated dwell time to kill the

organisms.

       Taking a few minutes to disinfect touch point can save you or your

family from the spread of the flu or other illnesses.


We truly hope that these practical measures reduce your exposure and help keep you healthy!