Guess what just went through our household… Yup, the stomach flu. Let me just tell you that it is no fun to care for a child who has the stomach flu when you are fighting the bug yourself. So, how can you survive the stomach flu when you and your child have it?

1. Stay hydrated! The biggest danger of the stomach flu is dehydration. So, make sure that if your little one is vomiting, that he or she is swallowing at least 1 teaspoon of water every 15 minutes. I find that using a medicine dropper or a straw works better than using a spoon. Keep yourself hydrated as well with watered down Chamomile tea, watered down Gatorade or flat Ginger Ale (pour it in a cup and stir a fork in it for a few moments).

2. Place at least 2 layers of towels beneath sick children at night. This way, if they do not make it past their pillow, you will not have to change the sheets at 3 am. It also helps to put a medium sized plastic bowl near their pillow, just in case.

3. If your child has a fever (which is common with the flu), take his or her temperature every 2-3 hours. If keeping down acetaminophen or ibuprofen is next to impossible, it is time for suppositories. You can get these over the counter or call the doctor for a prescription. Stay on top of the dosage for at least 2 days after the fever to avoid febrile seizures (if your child is prone to them).

4. Take a disinfectant to all doorknobs, stairway railings and places where hands touch often to decrease the spread of the virus. Keep your hand-washing rule in tact with anyone who has vomited, is eating or has entered the home washing their hands immediately!

5. Get some rest! One of the best ways to get through the stomach flu is for everyone to get some rest. Do not feel guilty about utilizing the TV, especially if it means that you and your little ones are still for a moment.

Call the doctor if anyone with flu symptoms shows signs of dehydration. sunken eyes, dry lips and mouth, blood in vomit, decreased urination (less than every 6 hours), crying without tears, excessive thirst, cool, discolored hands or feet, lethargy or excessive sleepiness. If your child is showing signs of dehydration and you cannot reach the doctor, head to the emergency room as an IV will most likely be recommended to rehydrate your child.

Keep in mind that as awful as the stomach flu is, it usually will not last longer than 3 days. Don’t forget, while you are tending to your little one, take care of yourself!

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Everywhere you turn you see it on the news. Bird flu is on the rise and people are scared. Finding out more about it will help you learn how to protect you and your family.

H5N1: What is it?

Also known as Avian Flu, the H5N1 virus is commonly seen among wild birds and is as typical as the human cold and is transmitted between birds. Domesticated birds can also be at risk to catch Avian Influenza from wild birds.

There is an incubation period of 1-5 days between the time of exposure and the development of symptoms and can be fatal within 2 days. The concern and fear regarding this potential pandemic is that once a virus begins to mutate, it behaves differently and can be transmitted between species. This is the case with HIV. HIV began in monkeys and is commonly seen as a virus between monkeys. After the virus mutated, it spread to humans and the effects have been tragic. The virus is already showing signs of mutation as cases involving cats and pigs have been recently brought to light. The other fear and threat comes from the issue of Human-to-Human contact. If the Bird Flu mutates into a strand that is easily communicable between humans, we could see a pandemic of Avian Flu. Right now, the best way to prevent a pandemic is through careful prevention and monitoring the H5N1 virus closely.

Bird Flu: Symptoms

The symptoms are very similar to the Human Flu strains that we are familiar with. Fever, sore throats, coughs, muscle aches and pains, and general malaise are all signs of the virus. Other symptoms include Pneumonia and trouble breathing. If symptoms are identified early enough, it can be treated successfully. However, there is the threat of death if its left on its own.

Protecting Yourself from Avian Influenza: Goggles and Gloves

Currently, Bird Flu is being seen in Asia and Europe. Since the key to preventing the spread or mutation of the virus is protection, it is strongly suggested that those who are handling anything that has been potentially contaminated with the virus, wear goggles, gloves and masks specifically designed to protect against the virus. You should also make sure that you receive an annual flu shot to protect yourself from having common Influenza at the same time, should you catch Bird Flu. The two viruses together could mutate causing the strand that leads to a pandemic. Always practice good hygiene, hand washing, and stay away from areas that may be contaminated with AvianFlu.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/avianflu/htm/_no_100_no_0.htm

With this information, you can protect your family against a potential outbreak of the Avian Flu virus.

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This is incredible…No mandatory Swine (H1N1) Flu test for those who test positive for “A” on the rapid Flu test!!!! How do they track this Swine Flu Virus if they do not test everyone who is positive for Flu “A”??? Help us in the USA! The current numbers for the Swine Flu are grossly understated. Please forward this to everyone you care about. Force this issue with the CDC and your local Health Department. Be proactive. ASK WHY! Let’s track this and prevent it! Go to www.cdc.gov/swineflu Call the CDC at 1-800-232-4636 Pass this on.

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My runny nose just developed today, and I would say my throat feels a little weird but I am hoping that is just from the runny nose as well. Does anyone know if this is a symptom of the swine flu? I’ve never really had the flu before so I don’t know anything about it.

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OK my symptoms are:
-Consistent stomach ache for past 5 days
-More than normal amount of burping/farting after I eat or drink
-Very small headache
-Very mild to little constipation (I usually go 2-3 times a day, this week once a day)
-Stomach cramps

Four of my family members have vomited in the past week, 3 from suspected “food poisoning”, other from “high stress”. I keep saying it might be the stomach flu but they deny it. I am emetaphobic and have a high stress level, so I don’t know if its my mind amplifying everything or possible stomach flu symptoms. HELP!!!

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The symptoms of H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and possibly vomiting or diarrhea. H1N1 flu is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by infected persons. Get vaccinated to protect yourself from the H1N1 flu. If you are infected with H1N1 flu, you should avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu.

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How frightening it is to think that one disease such as bird flu can cause so must devastation by literally killing thousands of people in a short period of time. Well this of course can all be prevented if you are able to read all the bird flu symptoms before it’s too late. In this article you will learn exactly how what symptoms are associated with avian flu and how you can notice them early enough to save a person’s life.

Bird Flu Symptom One: Muscle Aches

Muscle aches are usually the first signs that a person may have bird flu, however it’s usually impossible to tell whether or not the muscle aches you are having are in fact a symptom related to avian flu. Here’s how you can tell. First of all ask yourself it it unusual that you should be having muscle aches at this point in time? Have you done any exercise lately? If you haven’t and there is no possible reason why you be having muscle aches, then there is a chance that it is in fact a avian flu symptom and you should consult a doctor immediately just to be safe.

Bird Flu Symptom Two: Sore Throat

A sore throat is another symptom associated with bird flu. Generally it isn’t too painful in the immediate stages but as time progresses you will find that the intensity will increase to about the time when a fever starts to set in, which of course takes us to our next bird flu symptom…

Symptom Number Three: Fever

At this point in time, you have worked out that you are having unusual muscle aches, your throat is sore and now finally you have picked up a fever, it’s time to get to a hospital quickly. Even if you don’t have bird flu, you still may have something just as bad and therefore you need immediate treatment. The doctor’s can usually tell whether you have contracted avian flu or not within minutes. Generally a cough is also begins to start around the time of the fever and will again intensify as time goes by.

It’s important to note that the first question you should ask yourself is, have I or the person showing bird flu symptoms eaten any poultry such as chicken or duck lately. Your doctor will ask you this question and also how long ago it actually was before you last consumed a meal with some sort of poultry product.

Stay alert and always remember that no matter what, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

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I just saw my best friend yesterday, but today she was out of school with the flu. I know it’s really contagious and now I am TERRIFIED that I’m going to get it too. How long does it take for the symptoms to show up? And what would some early symptoms be?

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