Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Photo by Glow Repose on Unsplash When you were a kid, your parents always told you to share. And if you have a younger sibling, you are not new to sharing everything – from clothing to food. But what about sharing your makeup? Pink Eye …
Photo by Oliver Hale on Unsplash There are a few things that we keep rather close to us, but unfortunately we don’t clean them or change them regularly enough! A great example is your pillows and sheets. Pillows and Sheets Let’s be honest – most …
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that it’s definitely time to get your flu shot! We are just about in the full swing of flu season and taking precautions to prevent the flu is essential. Nearly 60% of the flu cases reported to the CDC during last flu season were people between 18 and 64. That figure proves even the healthiest can come down with the flu! Typically, younger children, the elderly and pregnant women are at a greater risk of getting the flu, but a large percentage of the so called ‘healthy’ population is reporting flu-like symptoms currently.
For those 65 and over, the federal health agency says a “one-two-three punch” is the best way to stay healthy all year long – the CDC recommends this age group be administered a high-dose flu shot, which gives stronger immune response and a greater protection against the flu. The flu can be a deadly illness, so all pregnant women should get the flu shot. The flu shot can be given in any trimester, but the sooner a new mom is vaccinated, the better for the baby.
Usually the flu virus is spread through droplet infection; sneezing and coughing. Breathing in droplets expelled into the air by an infected person’s cough is the most common route. These droplets can land in your eye or get inhaled into your nose; or they get on your face and you touch your face and then touch your mouth, your eyes, or your nose. Consciously avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth during flu season because germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. If you shake hands with a person who is coughing or sneezing, it would be a good idea to wash your hands. You can also get the flu from saliva when sharing cups, glasses, or other household objects used by a person who has the flu.
Flu viruses can last long enough outside of the human body to contribute to spreading infection. Studies have shown that flu viruses generally can survive on surfaces (such as phone receivers and doorknobs) between 2 to 8 hours depending on the environment. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water will help protect you from contracting the flu through touch. Alcohol wipes can help disinfect the hands and surfaces if there are infected people about.
“Combating Cold and Flu Viruses with Green Tea, NAC” by Jerry Hickey, R. Ph – Click here to read!
Once the flu virus is introduced into your body from an infected person the virus multiplies quietly in your body until you get symptoms of the disease which is about two to five days and this is referred to as the incubation period. When the symptoms are active at the peak of the infection is when you generally spread the flu because this is when you are sneezing and coughing.
Usually five to seven days for adults. Young children can be contagious for ten days to two weeks. Kids can also have diarrhea when they get the flu; something you usually don’t see in adults. According to the CDC, people with compromised (lowered) immune systems — such as people with AIDS or people taking drugs to prevent transplant rejection — can shed flu virus for weeks or months after infection.
Yes, research shows that the amino acid NAC, and that consuming Green Tea decrease the risk of developing upper respiratory tract infections including flu (NAC and Green Tea) and cold viruses (Green Tea). Other nutrients support immune system function and may improve resistance; medicinal mushrooms, Astragalus herb, Nucleotides and Olive Leaf.
Photo by Rex Pickar on Unsplash With so many people coming down with the flu this time of year, we’re all trying everything we can to fight off the nasty virus. Of course, getting the flu shot is highly recommended, especially for the elderly, pregnant …
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash When kids go back to school in the fall, the abundance of germs comes back, too. All it takes is one cough or sneeze in the classroom for the whole class to catch a cold! Besides sitting next to …
Whether you wear contacts for medical reasons or just to make a fashion statement, it’s pretty common knowledge that regular care for your contacts is important. Germs and other forms of bacteria can do permanent damage to your eyes, and even lead to blindness! That is why, whenever you purchase contact lenses, it is crucial that you do your utmost to maintain the cleanliness of your contacts.
There are many conditions that can develop due to not properly maintaining your contacts, including acanthamoeba keratitis, an amoeba that can actually eats the surface of your eyeball and cause blindness. One of main things to make sure you avoid when you have your contact lenses on is swimming and showering. Contact lenses act as sponges in the water, absorbing parasites and other bacteria. Acanthamoeba thrives in water – even in water that appears to be clean. Because contact lenses deprive your eyes of oxygen and can cause micro-tears on the cornea, your eyes then become the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Do not wear your contacts in a wet environment. (That means no pools, showers, saunas, or hot tubs!)
• Do not sleep in your contacts.
• Change your contacts regularly. If your lenses have a 30-day lifespan, don’t try to squeeze an extra week out!
• Try to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before touching your eyes.
• Make sure to visit your eye care provider regularly. They are best suited to detect any early signs of infections or damage from the lenses.
Source: http://www.shape.com/blogs/shape-your-life/woman-blinded-cornea-eating-bugs-after-leaving-contacts-6-months