Ways to prevent the flu

Avatar for cl_thebuglady2
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Registered: 03-21-2003
Ways to prevent the flu
14
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 12:18pm

Some of you may know that I am cl-MaryFrances40 twin sister and also some of you may know that I work as an Infection Control Nurse.....so Mary Frances has asked me to post this message for all of you. 


All of us with this disease fall into one of the groups where this vaccine will be allowed, but that does not mean that all of you will be able to get the vaccine.  The exact nature of the shortage of vaccine is unknown right now.  It does look like there will be 2.2 million doses available with some being held back to address hot spots of disease when and where they occur.


However, there are steps that each of you can take to help prevent this infection.


·        Wash hands with soap and warm water often

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·        Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth


·        Do not share food, drinks, utensils or towels with others


·        Frequently wipe off commonly used household items like telephones and toys


·        Keep your body healthy with plenty of rest, healthy foods and drinks and exercise


 


These are pretty reasonable suggestions and I urge each of you to follow them.


 


Keep healthy!

Harriette


CL-thebuglady2


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Registered: 06-02-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 10:31pm
Thanks for the pointers, seems actually getting a flu shot will challenging...called my primary care doctor, he doesn't have any available. Called my pulmonary doctor and have been put "on the list" and hope to get it next week. Your pointers will prove helpful throughout the flu season.

Jan

Avatar for cl_d_minnick
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 3:16am
Thank you Harriette for the great pointers. I think they would know by now that they need to make way more vaccine for the flu shots since we keep having a shortage often now. It just proves that if you can get the shot do so while you can, because you never know what might happen. Take care and do have a very enjoyable day!

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Avatar for cl_thebuglady2
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Registered: 03-21-2003
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 11:59am

Denise;


You will especially want to get the vaccine when you can because you are in 2 of the risk groups:


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Avatar for cl_d_minnick
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 12:27pm

Thank you for the information Harriette. I do not do well at all with the flu shots and have not had one since back in 1997 when I ended up being sick for over a month with pheumonia, but since not getting a flu shot I have not gotten sick much at all other than a normal cold. So I prefer to not get the shot at all since I get so sick from having it.


As for my boys they do not seem to have any problems thus far with flu and have not been sick with any colds to this day. (knock on wood) Since I believe they have their fathers good immune system since he only gets sick for a day or 2 if at all with a cold.


Wow, that is just wonderful that we just might have children with the same birthdays. I do love November and December birthdays, which I had many friends with birthdays those months and we had a blast at their parties. So I shall enjoy all the fun of throwing our little girls birthday parties.


I do have a question though. What is the opinion on the Purell hand santizer that I see them using at the hospital? Is this a good thing to use or not? I want to have something on hand at all times with us, but I am unsure as to if it is a good one or not since they have so many out these days. I hope you can give me some information on this so I know just what to get to have with us at all times. I appreciate any help you can offer me with this question so much. Take care and enjoy your day!

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Registered: 02-20-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 4:01am
So pleased to meet you. I'm sure you're just a sweet as your twin!

Funny...both nurses...

Well, bad news in AZ. Our shortage is just as bad as other states. In fact, the prior weekend, there were over 300 people waiting at a Walgreen's only to have the majority turned away. Most of the people were from Sun City and Sun City West (which have many elderly residents that fit the criteria).

I was going to go to a small clinic in Downtown Phoenix Monday last week only to awaken to what I thought was a sinus infection. Went my PCP's office to varify my dx, and found that if I'd driven the 20 miles, I would have been turned away despite my own criteria (asthma & diabetes). So, instead I was given Levaquin 10mg (10 cost me $40 even with my drug plan--bah humbug) and a cough syrup with codeine. So, no taking my Darvon for my hip and knee pain at night.

Oh, it was on the news that some places were getting $300 a dose. That's outright robbery!

If I can make it through the winter season (primarly Jan/Fed here) w/o getting another sinusitis episode, I should be in fairly good shape. Am digging out my SVN machine and the albuterol just in case.

Thanks for the hints. Sounded like an infection control instruction sheet we're given each year at the hospital. Pity, even the ER people can't get the vaccine.

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Registered: 02-20-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 4:09am
Since you don't take emails, wanted to ask a professional question. Where can I find info on NASH. It's supposedly a hepatitis-linked disease. I've had all the A-B-C titers plus the booster. This is very confusing for me.

I'm having a repeat ultra-sound of my belly to see how my liver is fairing. Had one in 2000, and it showed fatty liver, but my PCP didn't seem too concerned. My alk phos is out of normal range 165 in one lab's readings (SonoraQuest) and within normal limits 110 at my endocrinologist's office lab. A fractionated Alk Phos was done with shows the most is coming from the liver and not bone.

So, any links you can give me, would truly be a help. Thanks bunches!

Kathi

Avatar for cl_thebuglady2
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Registered: 03-21-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 12:07pm

Well Kathi you discovered my real passion....I do infection control, now as a consultant to hospitals in 9 western states.


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Avatar for cl_thebuglady2
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Registered: 03-21-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 12:40pm

Kathi;


NASH and the related condition NAFLD are of great important to diabetic females.


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Registered: 02-20-2004
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 3:03am

Thanks so much for the links and the explanations for me and the "troops".

Am hoping the ultrasound on Friday shows no changes from 2000.

Still can't figure out how one lab can have one set of numbers and another has a different range, etc.

Again, thanks bunches.

(((hugs)))

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 3:10am

Saw in the headlines this morning that the flu is going to be "mild". I'm always skeptical
when there's an announcement like that as I think the CDC is probably trying to lessen the anger over the shortage of vaccine.

I was so cloudy when I picked up the prescriptions that I didn't pay much attention to the pharmacist. The pain isn't really bad - so no Darvon. Have only taken the cough syrup once. The cough seems to have lessened since taking the antibiotic.

Thanks for your insite.

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