Yesterday I got my flu shot.
Here’s what I’d like you to know about the flu shot.
The flu shot takes about 2 weeks to reach it’s max protectiveness, so I like to get it around mid-October.
Flu seasons vary from year to year. Some years the flu comes early in November or December; other years, like last year, it peaks late in April or May.
Germs are everywhereToday is Global Handwashing Day!
One of the best ways to prevent nasty seasonal colds and flu (not to mention nasty intestinal ailments) is to wash your hands.
It doesn’t take much imagination to envision the gazillions of germs that are lurking on handles and door knobs and other surfaces that we—and others—touch multiple times a day.
Soap and water are the gold … read on
There isn’t a vaccine or cure for the common cold.
The best way to prevent catching a cold is to wash your hands, because anything you touch may be covered in cold germs.
Watch a sneeze in slow motion and you’ll understand why it’s so important to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze!
The above video … read on
Recently I saw several headlines buzzing about a cure for the common cold.
Wouldn’t that be great? Finding a cure for the common cold is one of the holy grails of medical research, next to finding a cure for cancer.
But while the research is hopeful, I’m not expecting to be cold-free in my lifetime.
The problem with trying to cure a cold virus, or any … read on
Two deadly diseasesMeasles and the flu have been two popular topics in our local news.
Oddly enough, my husband has a connection to both these viral epidemics!
Since January, our state (Washington) has been dealing with a measles outbreak. It began when an unvaccinated adult returned from overseas, unknowingly infected with the measles. This person went to many public places and exposed countless individuals to the virus.
One … read on
Over-the-counter medicines can be costly (and unnecessary)There are two ways to save money at the drugstore:
I’ve written a lot of posts on this topic because I think it’s one of the easiest ways to save money on health care, and certainly the one we have the most control … read on
What is sinusitis?Following my recent post about nasal sprays, I thought it a good time to talk about sinusitis and some simple home treatments.
Sinusitis is the inflammation of sinus tissue. The swelling blocks normal drainage, which can lead to a viral or bacterial infection.
Sinusitis can be caused by colds, allergies, the overuse of decongestant nasal sprays, or a physical blockage, such as a deviated septum … read on
Over-the-counter nasal spraysIt’s cold season, and I see so many ads in the media for nasal sprays.
The best tip for saving money on OTC nasal sprays is to know the ingredients used in the different products. Read the labels!
When you understand which ingredient is best for which nasal problem, you can shop for the best price.
Nasal sprays fall roughly into three categories:
Not really.It’s cold season and products that claim to prevent or significantly shorten colds are flying off the drugstore shelves.
The best strategy to prevent a cold is to wash your hands frequently.
Still, the advertisements for such products are both pervasive and persuasive. But are they worth buying?
Vitamin C and zinc are the supplements used in most of these products. You can buy them in capsules, lozenges, … read on
Wash your nose?I wrote in a previous post that frequent hand washing is your best defense against a cold virus.
But what about washing your nose? The inside of your nose, to be exact.
You just need a neti pot.
The neti pot is an inexpensive device for saline nasal irrigation, which is a fancy term for nose washing.
How do I … read on