If You Should Get Swine Flu
- If you’ve already gotten the seasonal flu it will not protect you from the swine flu. You should get both flu vaccines.
- Don’t leave your house unless you are going to the doctor or hospital if you have the flu
- Since viruses can live on surfaces don’t forget to disinfect if someone in your home gets sick, laundry should be done on the hotest settings possible
- Don’t have swine flu parties, or even attend swine flu parties
- Remember to try to avoid the flu by frequent hand washing, face masks may be of little use so don’t depend on them
- Go to the ER if you have trouble breathing or if your skin turns color
The other best advice is not to panic. Determine if you are in a high risk group and discuss this with your doctor.
Vicks Recall
We haven’t had a recall in awhile folks so here’s the latest. Vicks Nasal Spray has been recalled due to bacterial infection. Here are the countries, lot numbers, and product names. You can find these listed both on the bottles and boxes of the products.
| 9239028831 | United States | Vicks Sinex Vapospray 12-Hour Decongestant Ultra Fine Mist, 15 ml, Nasal Spray |
| 9224028832 | United Kingdom | Vicks Sinex Micromist Aqueous Nasal Spray Solution, 15 ml |
| 9224028833 | Germany | Wick Sinex Schnupfenspray Dosiersystem, 15 ml |
The company, Procter & Gamble says no one they know of has been made ill from any of the products listed above, but since bacteria was found at the factory in Germany, they want to head off possible problems.
Dangerous New Drug Interaction Discovered
The experts are now warning people who are taking the blood thinner Plavix from also taking the heartburn medication Prilosec. The two are often taken together because the blood thinning medication can upset the stomach. However now researchers have found that if you take Prilosec it can cut the effectiveness of Plavix in half, which can be very dangerous for those taking it.
I know that when my mother was taking it, it was very difficult for her doctors to get just the right dosage for her and she had to be tested for those levels often, so anything that will interfere with the blood thinner would have just further complicated matters and put her further at risk.
Talk it over with your Doctor. They say that there are alternatives you can take that won’t interfere as there are also other medications that will.
Santas Lobby For Vaccine
This is something I did not know. As the experts are urging the public to get the swine flu vaccine, there is only enough now to go around to special groups like health care workers and first responders. I also would not have thought about all the thousands of mall Santas that will be handling small children by the hundreds till Christmas.
Of course, sick children should be kept home, but you know there will be those parents who will not use their better judgement over the whining of their kid.
Skipping the H1N1 Vaccine
A recent poll says that over 60% of all adults say they will skip getting the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine. Of that percentage half of them don’t think they need it and the others don’t trust that it will be safe to get.
I must say that I can share the concern about a vaccine that came out so fast. Another thing is that my sister and her two boys just got over a mean case of the flu a couple weeks ago. They did not go to the doctor for it, but rode it out at home and all came out fine. She then went with her husband because he had another medical problem unrelated to the flu. My niece went with them and while my brother-in-law was in with the doctor , my sister was telling the receptionist about the flu. This woman then went on to tell my niece she could die because she could get the swine flu and didn’t get the vaccine.
Was she overreacting? Was it her place to try and scare my niece into the vaccine? I don’t know. All I do know is that I don’t have any inside information either way. So the bottom line now is it’s what you are told from doctors and other experts and what you see for yourself. Either way it’s your call. For now.
New Guidelines on Breast Exams
This story is not exactly new. I wrote about this a couple months ago. It’s a shame that women are being told not to bother with breast cancer tests all for the matter of money. Of course to the insurance companies it’s more important to save some bucks than womens lives.
I’m not a doctor but if you were to ask me my advice would be to talk it over with your doctor and put yourself first. If you are in a high risk group get tested. I still think, no I know it would end up being less expensive to catch cancer and treat it early rather than to let it get to the advanced stage and try to treat it.
ER Doctors Surprised at New Studies Findings
This new study shows that people who are uninsured and end up at the ER are 80% more likely to die than those that have some kind of insurance plan, with the exception of Medicaid. Doctors are said to be shocked that the percentage was so high. They say when someone comes into the ER after a trauma they don’t ask about insurance and do everything they can to treat and save the person.
Experts are trying to come up with likely reasons why they got these type of results. Some of their guesses seem sound enough to be reasons. For instance, after the trauma victim is in the hospital they may not get as many tests or doctors visits as those who are insured. Another reason is that they may already have advanced disease that is untreated aside from the trauma that brought them into the ER.
I know that when I was dying and went to the ER I was treated very well and they saved my life. After four days in the hospital and I was out of the woods then they rushed me out, but they felt bad about it and gave me a lot of freebies med wise to take home. I was very grateful for all they did.
Two Medical Marijuana Group To Sue Los Angeles
Two Medical Marijuana groups may sue Los Angeles if the city council bans them from selling the pot. The problem is that the law states it’s illegal to sell marijuana and make profit and the only people who are protected are those who grow the plants.
The groups are saying that they are taking money to recoup their expenses. Does the city council of Los Angeles not understand this concept?
I’m sure the groups put out money for rent or mortgage on their locations not to mention utilities like water, heat, and light. Maybe they would also like to be paid for their time. I’m sure they in turn need money for their own bills and rent.
Those who are for it will make it work somehow, and those who are against it will always find stupid reasons why it should remain illegal.
The New Womens Disease
I’m sure that there are those among us women who have lost our sex drive due to legitimate reasons. For instance I did notice that when my thyroid is way off and my diabetes is out of wack I have no interest in sex. However, this low libido has now been given a name and therefore will have all the rights a real disease will have, and that includes a pill to cure you of it.
It’s being called HSDD or Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. Well ladies what do you think. I’m sure that the first time you’ll get this condition will be after you have a baby. After all being up all night with a crying infant and still having to perform your daytime duties which can include a full or part time job, housekeeping, and maybe other children to take care of , aren’t good enough reasons for not setting aside that glorious time for romance and love making.
What actually happened was that a pill for depression turned out not to make you happy but to make HIM happy by making you horny!
So ladies now we can let all our responsibilities go to hell while we spend what few free minutes we get on our mates. Don’t worry, sleep is overrated anyway. So while you’re throwing the baby in the dryer, and roasting his shorts with potatoes, you can make him eat them too and he’ll never be the wiser as long as he’s getting enough sex.
Thanksgiving and Nursing Homes
A lot of you have probably given some thought at least to what your Thanksgiving plans will be. Some of you have relatives or friends in nursing homes. I’m asking that you don’t forget those folks and at least pay them a Holiday visit. Although it can be a strain, try to bring them home or take them out for Thanksgiving dinner with you and your family.
Many of these folks never leave the home and it would mean a lot to them to be included in the families plans. For them, going out beats a visit every time.
If it’s not possible to take them out you could ask the home if your family can make arrangements to have Thanksgiving dinner in the home with the resident. Maybe they will let you have your family meal before or after the rest of the residents have used the dining room. You could then bring your prepared food after checking with the nursing and dietary staff about what the resident is allowed to have or not have.
Good luck with your Thanksgiving plans!