WHO Says Pandemic is Coming

Medscape release:

Breaking News - April 29, 2009

Swine Flu One Step Closer to Pandemic
Swine flu has pushed the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise its pandemic alert level to phase 5, which means that a pandemic is imminent. It's the second time in a week that the WHO has raised its pandemic alert level, which ranges from phase 1 (low risk of a pandemic) to phase 6 (a full-blown pandemic is under way).

Swine Flu Redux?

Two readers have contacted us asking about the Swine Flu inoculations of 1976--specifically if this vaccine would offer any protection against a possible outbreak of the 2009 version. In my opinion it would, and while it would be very little, a little is still better than nothing.

Swine flu vaccines were provided to those under 25 or over 70 and to those in chronically bad health. A series of two inoculations was recommended, but I'm sure many were like me and stopped with only one. The vaccine came with some hard to take side effects, namely serious flu like symptoms that lasted for 24 hours. To an active teenager, the risk didn't seem to outweigh the discomfort and the possible necessity of canceling social activities.

I will stress again, if you have traveled recently and suspect you have contracted the disease, contact a physician immediately and ask for Tamiflu. Also, while regular flu shots are usually given in October in order to be effective during the winter flu season, and are not expected to combat this new strain, any extra protection is better than none.

Think of it this way, staying home the next few weeks may not only save you money in this recession, but also save your life.

Good luck,

Nurse Nan

A Flu Pandemic?

If you've read or seen the news in the past two days, you know that a flu pandemic may be at hand. While I doubt this is the case, we all need to take some simple precautions whenever confronted with what could be a serious threat to our health.

If you haven't taken any echinacea recently, immediately begin a regimen of 14 days. Do not take this herbal supplement for longer than two weeks, as it can overstimulate your autoimmune system.

While expensive, Tamiflu has proved to combat all strains of influenza and should be administered if you have been exposed. Above all, wash your hands often and when mingling with large groups, don't be afraid to shy away from handshaking or to wear a mask.

Your friends won't care if you look like Michael Jackson, but they will care if you wind up, what's the word, oh, yes, dead.

Good luck to everyone and remember Summer is just around the corner!

Nurse Nan

Chapped Lips?

It snowed yesterday, and you were out in it, weren't you? Tell the truth. That's what I thought, so now you have chapped lips--what should you do?

Actually, I would recommend that you avoid sore, cracked lips to begin with. Women can do that by always wearing lipstick. Most women have several tubes of lipstick or pots of gloss lying around the house; therefore, there's no need to invest in lip balm if you remember to wear a little lip color each day, touching it up after you eat or drink. Not only will you avoid chapped lips, but cancer of the lips as well.

That's fine for women, but what about men? Guess what, they can come out even more cheaply. There are no oil glands in our lips, but you don't have to resort to wearing lipstick. Simply run your fingers through your hair two or three times a day. Then rub the oil residue over your lips. There's even an added advantage since you won't be allergic to the oil your scalp produces.

So, that's fine for future reference, but what if your lips are already chapped? As long as your lips are just dried out, with no lesions, your best bet is beeswax. Any product by Burt's Bees is great, but again guess what? Carmex contains the same beeswax at a much lower price.

Now...you're set to go for the rest of the winter.

Nurse Nan

Winter Sunburn

When we think of sunburn, we usually think of sunny beaches or other warm locales. So we don't always remember to use a sunscreen during the cloudy days of winter. The past few weeks I've encountered several who have received a (thankfully) mild sunburn while repairing wind damage or performing other outdoor chores.

These winter sunburns are usually on the hands and face and don't present the intense discomfort of an all over summer burn. For such mild burns, natural aloe vera is a great quick fix. If you don't have an aloe vera plant, an over-the-counter aloe gel is an inexpensive remedy that offers the same results. Panama Jack makes an aloe vera gel with the added painkiller of lidocaine. It can be found at most dollar stores and, if you're lucky, the Dollar Tree.

Remember to wear that sunscreen whenever working outdoors and have a great remaining six weeks of winter.

Nurse Nan

Fight Back Against Cold & Flu

Most of us don't know what germs we inhale during our average day, but sometimes we do know when we've been exposed. If you braved the rain to take your Aunt Tildy her birthday gift, only to find she has "the worst case of 'flu since 1957," there's some hope for you.

Sure, you know to wash your hands upon arriving home, but what else can you do? Plenty--try this little known preventative and reduce your risk of infection by at least 50%.

Take hairdryer in hand, set the heat to warm, and breath in. That's it, but be sure to do it for 15 to 20 minutes. The warm air isn't hot enough to damage lung tissue, but it will dissipate the cold and flu viruses.

Nurse Nan

Stuffy Nose?

It's cold, it's hot, it's cold again. Can you blame your nose for feeling like a cotton warehouse? To top it all off, you had to work over and your feet hurt? Don't worry, one treatment fits both ailments.

Prepare a steaming foot bath. If you haven't yet seen those tubs called "Flatbacks," you've been missing out; they fit snug to your chair so you can sit back and relax while you soak your feet. Now get a large bath towel and some eucalyptus oil (available at pharmacies, health food stores, and even dollar stores). You're ready for a wonderful experience.

Place a few drops of the eucalyptus oil in the steaming water, insert feet, place towel over head and breath in. Warning, a few breaths of this wonderful concoction will more than clear your stuffy nose. Now you're ready to sit back and watch CSI or the ballgame while the foot bath completes your renovation.

Take care in the cold and remember to bring your pets in.

Nurse Nan