Swine Flu Precautions for Back to School
Back-to-school Swine Flu (H1N1) precautions and treatment
With summer winding down and schools preparing to reopen, another possible H1N1 virus outbreak poses a threat to the 6-24 year old age group which the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has targeted as being at high risk for contracting the virus.
At this time, the CDC does not consider novel H1N1 “swine” flu to be more dangerous than other types of seasonal flu, but it does state that the disease burden of swine flu is greater on young people.
Dr. Martha Howard offers parents her advice for effective ways to protect children from getting the disease.
Avoid close contact with sick people. Dr. Howard advises children carry tissues and hand sanitizer, and know how to use them: Sneeze or cough into the tissue, throw it in the wastebasket (not on the desk); Put a dime size blob of hand sanitizer on hands and rub together until dry. She also warns against children sharing drinks or food, and not to touch their eyes nose or mouth with their hands.
Vaccination Precautions Dr. Howard says it is not wise to receive swine flu vaccination for grade school children at this time. “There are generally about 100 child deaths per year in the United States from flu. Even if that is doubled by swine flu, I do not feel it is worth the risk of exposing your child to possible long-term problems with immunity,” she reports.
- The vaccines being developed are to contain the “adjuvant”—a chemical that induces greater immune response—squalene, which is known to cause a harmful immune response in rats resembling rheumatoid arthritis.
- There are currently no other vaccines containing squalene that have been approved for use in the United States.
Natural and Homeopathic Alternatives A recent study reported in American Family Physician Journal (August 2009), showed that elderly patients taking 600 milligrams of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) twice daily over the flu season were much less likely to have clinical influenza illness (29% vs. 51% of controls), and when they did have it, episodes were much less severe. In addition, cell mediated immunity was improved in the people receiving NAC, and not in the controls.
Dr. Howard recommends giving children N-acetylcysteine in a dose that is proportional by weight to the adult dose of 600 milligrams twice a day. (A 70 pound child would be given 300 milligrams twice a day. A 35 pound child would be given 150 milligrams twice a day, and so on. For children under 2, consult a physician.)
Treatment for Children who Contract the Virus Dr. Howard recommends supportive treatment: rest, fluids, and Chinese herbs.
- The combination of two readily available formulas, Zhong Gan Ling and Yin Chiao Chieh Du Pian (both available online) is effective for treating flu.
- Keep children home if they are sick for 7 days after symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention, according to the CDC:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
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Great article here but one important tip missing. Another health precaution for back to schoolers is a washable heavy duty silicon keyboard from WETKEYS. This item is a waterproof cleanable keyboard, from which germs can easily be wiped away without damaging it. Go to wetkeys.com for yours today.
What You Need to Stay Healthy When Going Back to School/College
Back-to-School: Back-to-college: What meds you need, how to keep from spreading germs
Released on 07/24/2009, at 3:35 PM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
So, what’s in a well-stocked college student’s medicine cabinet?
* Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief or fever
* Antacid like Tums, Rolaids, Maalox or Mylanta for stomach upset
* Antihistamine for runny nose due to allergy or colds (chlorpheniramine or Claritin)
* Decongestant for stuffy nose due to colds (pseudoephedrine)
* Saline nasal spray for nasal congestion
* Throat lozenges or hard candy for sore or irritated throat
* Antibacterial ointment, like Polysporin
* Aloe vera gel for burns and skin irritations
* 1 percent hydrocortisone cream for insect bites and skin irritations
General medical supplies:
* Adhesive bandages of various sizes for small wounds and blisters
* Gauze and tape for larger wounds
* Elastic wrap (ACE Wrap)
* Ice pack
* Heating pad
* Thermometer
* Sun screen, SPF 15 or greater
* Tweezers and small scissors
* Insect repellent
* Lip balm
* Skin moisturizer
* Hand sanitizer
Students may have also heard something about a pandemic flu. The novel H1N1 flu is continuing to spread through the summer and is expected to erupt again in the fall when students are back in close contact. Young people also appear to be more prone to the infection than other populations. In Nebraska, the illnesses caused by novel H1N1 have been relatively mild and not generally responsible for lingering illnesses, complications or hospitalizations, according to University Health Center Director Dr. James Guest.
UNL began preparing for and monitoring the H1N1 flu spreading in April, and continues to watch the situation closely, Guest said. College students may be particularly affected because of their close proximity in residence halls, greek houses and classes, and if they become ill, may live far enough that going home isn’t possible. That leaves the great possibility that ill students will be fighting off the flu in their residence halls. UNL has an action plan in place to deal with large-scale infections and works closely with the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department and the state Health Department to monitor illness outbreaks and to communicate with the university community, if necessary, about responses to illness outbreaks. Other school systems would do the same.
Tips UNL is sharing with its students to help avoid the spread of the virus or other germs:
* Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use a hand sanitizer product if soap and water isn’t available.
* Cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve.
* Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
* Avoid kissing and hugging if you are sick.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Stay home from school if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better.
* Do not share water bottles or eating utensils.
* Eat well, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.
* Drink water frequently to prevent dehydration.
For more on how to prevent or respond to the emergencies including spreading illnesses, visit http://emergency.unl.edu/.
Sometimes is difficult to tell when you’re going to get better on your own, or when it’s time to get some medical care. Although not an inclusive list, here are some common reasons for coming to the health center:
* Fever over 100 with sore throat or fever persisting for more than two days with no improvement.
* Persistent cough or cough with difficulty in breathing.
* Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea for more than 8 hours or has blood in stool or is associated with pain.
* Injuries or lacerations
* Severe pain
* Head injury or severe or worsening headache.
* Bleeding that won’t stop.
* Painful urination
* Skin sores that are red, tender to the touch, have pus, or red streaks going up the extremity.
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Brilliant suggestions here with one thing missing:
This list should include a washable durable silicon keyboard and mouse from WETKEYS. With these waterproof heavy duty keyboards, you can wash them as often as possible. This is especially important in an environment in which keyboards are likely to be shared.
Healthy Gadgets at a Great Price for Back to School
I’m heading back to school and I just asked my parents to buy me a washable keyboard and mouse from Wetkeys.com at a 50% discount. These things are sanitary, heavy duty, water proof durable silicon keyboards that are easy to clean.
I’ve already spilled a drink on my keyboard twice, and dropped it on the floor and it’s still good as new. Check it out for yourself while the sale is still on!
11 Tips On Being Environmentally Friendly When Going Back To School
Livescience Staff– 21 August 2007 12:59 pm ET
4) Look for the FSC label on pencils and paper. Many paper products are made from trees specifically grown and harvested for papermaking, thus sparing delicate rainforest ecosystems. The Forest Stewardship Council certifies that wood and paper products are grown and managed responsibly.
5) Purchase supplies with minimal packaging. Packaging makes up about a third of the garbage that piles up in landfills. Also, less processing and packaging means less energy goes into production, and less global warming pollution is created.
6) Brown bag meals and avoid plastic. Pack school lunches in brown, unbleached, recycled paper bags whenever possible. And if your child has a favorite superhero, there’s a good chance the character is printed on a re-usable lunchbox.
7) Prepare lunches using local produce. Be aware of the distance food travels and the emissions necessary to ship and truck it there. Although broccoli is grown at nearby farms, the ones that shoppers pick up at the supermarket traverse an average distance of 1,800 miles.
Refill water bottles. Don’t throw them away. One and a half million tons of plastic are used to bottle water every year. Such large-scale manufacturing and disposal of water bottles can release toxic chemicals into the environment.
9) Look for laptops made by companies working to reduce their global emissions. The ENERGY STAR sticker is a good tip-off that a product is compliant with EPA guidelines. Some backpacks even have built-in solar panels to provide an eco-friendly way to power laptops. Also, turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
10) Walk or bike to school, not only to get exercise but also to benefit the environment. By burning calories walking, you and your child don’t burn a vehicle’s gasoline and thus do your part to help reduce global warming. Surely, the PE instructor will approve.
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As a green consumer, I’d like to add one more tip to this list:
11) Purchase a low cost, high quality waterproof, washable keyboard and mouse from Man & Machine at Wetkeys.com. Not only are these sanitary keyboards, but they won’t destroy the environment. They are durable keyboards and heavy duty keyboards.
Environmentally Friendly Back To School Shopping
CNN reported that back to school shopping is greener than ever before. And with choices like Man & Machines environmentally conscious computer products it’s easy.
Man & Machine, Inc., the leading manufacturer of heavy duty keyboards, hygienic waterproof keyboards & mice and other computer devices announces its sustainability program to minimize the impact these products have on humans and the environment. I buy all my computer products at Wetkeys.com.
Prep Your Kids for College With Healthy Products
Kids all around the US will be heading to college soon. This also coincides with the beginning of flu season and the likely spread of swine flu, which could run rampant in dormitories.
By purchasing a Unotron washable keyboards and mice for your kids, you can decrease their chance of getting ill. They can easily disinfect their cleanable keyboards and mice without damaging this heavy duty keyboard and flexible keyboard. This is especially important if your kids let others use their computer, which is likely in a school environment. I bought my kids these high quality, low price products at Wetkeys.com.
Cool, Healthy Gadgets for Kid’s Back-to-School Shopping
School is just around the corner and so is flu season. A great gift idea for kids is a washable keyboard. It’s a heavy duty keyboard that’s a cleanable keyboard and sanitary keyboard. Your kids can be rough with it and sneeze on it and spill drinks and food on it and, not only does it not harm the keyboard, it wipes right off.
Kids love to share their gadgets and at least you know with this one, they won’t be sharing their germs along with it. I purchased them for my kids at wetkeys.com.
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