It Got Me!

Just a heads up that even the most well-informed and prepared people succumb to illness, and I am one of them.
After months of touting how easy it is to prevent yourself from the flu (basic hand-washing and sanitary precautions, people!), I unfortunately found out that it is much easier to catch the flu.
I don't know how or when or where, but all I know is that it got me! And it got me good!
So be warned, but don't panic. You will not die from the "swine flu."
I called my primary care doctor to ask whether or not I ought to come in and they told me it's really up to the person. If you think you WILL die from the flu, please go see your doctor. If you're confident in your abilities to care for it on your own (i.e. drinking fluids, getting rest, taking Tylenol to control fever), then you're probably A-okay.
One tip my doctor's office gave me I found to be particularly helpful is keep track of your daily/hourly body temperature fluctuations with a thermometer. If you don't have a thermometer, go buy one from your local pharmacist. Persistent fever is a key indicator of whether or not you need to see a doctor.

More to come as I'm "on the mend"...

Elmo Says, "Swine Flu is BAD!"

I've been a fan of Sesame Street since the beginning. And by "the beginning," I mean my beginning, not Sesame Street's.

Thousands of children have learned the alphabet, counting, lessons on sharing, friendship, and diversity from colorful puppets. And now, Sesame Street characters are getting in on the Public Health action by helping the Department of Health and Human Services with a flu prevention and hygiene campaign directed at small children. And I must say, I am a fan.

Check out the CNN article!

Watch the new Elmo (and Gordon) flu videos! (I'm a sucker for Elmo's cuteness)

Outbreak!

When I was much younger, I saw a movie called, “Outbreak”. You know – the one with Renee Russo and Dustin Hoffman. Monkeys. Virus. Panic. That’s the one.

I LOVED this movie. This movie made me want to be on the front lines of infectious disease control. And, consequently, as an adult, I decided to bravely enter into the field of public health – though much less on the infectious disease side of public health. But my life-long fascination with microscopic organisms has hardly diminished.

Yes, the physiology and adaptability of microbes is something to ogle in amazement. But what really fascinates me is the human reaction to infectious diseases. And I don’t mean immuno-response. Think about it. When people hear any word ending in “demic” (e.g. epidemic, endemic, pandemic), they panic.

So now life is imitating art. Except instead of monkeys the culprits are pigs, and there’s no Renee Russo or Dustin Hoffman to save us. Yes, I’m talking about the Swine Flu. People are panicking worldwide. And why? Because that’s what people do – react before understanding the facts. So here are some facts about Swine Flu that might dispel any myths you may have heard:

1. The swine flu is not a “new” virus. In fact, the CDC estimates about 75% of swine farmers and exhibitors carry antibodies for the swine flu. This means, they were infected with the swine flu at some point in their life.

2. This is not the first swine flu outbreak. In 1976, there was an outbreak of the swine flu among soldiers at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

3. You cannot get the swine flu from eating pork. Swine flu spreads just like any other form of the flu or common cold. So go ahead and eat your BLTs!

4. Your doctor cannot diagnose you with swine flu on the spot. If your doctor suspects swine flu, a blood sample must be sent off to a CDC lab for confirmation.

5. Swine flu is treatable. There are 2 antiviral medications that can treat the current strain of swine flu.

*Source: www.cdc.gov

The CDC gives the following tips for avoiding contracting the swine flu:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue away immediately.

· Thoroughly and frequently wash your hands with soap and water

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

· Avoid close contact with sick people

· If you get sick, stay home from work or school to avoid contact with other people

These are not ground-breaking tips. They are the same tips given to avoid the common cold. It’s common sense, not rocket science.

In addition to the CDC’s tips, I’d like to offer my own:

1. Avoid over-washing your hands with antibacterial gels and soaps. Viruses can easily adapt and quickly become resistant to antibacterial products if these products are overused.

2. Thorough hand-washing includes making lots of friction and soap suds. I tell kindergartners to sing the alphabet song while they wash their hands so they know they’ve lathered them enough. A simple squirt-and-rinse will not do.

3. Do simple things to boost your immune system. Exercise regularly, eat lots of fruits and veggies, drink plenty of water, and get plenty of sleep.

4. Finally, DON’T PANIC. Learn the facts, and trust that there are professionals trained in infectious disease control doing their job to protect you and your family.

So don’t pack your bags and move to Antarctica. Do what you can to protect yourself and trust that others are doing what they can to protect you too.