Everyone is talking about the dreaded H1N1 virus these days, and never in my almost-seven-year career as a mom have I seen an itty bitty bug cause such a stir: How dangerous is it? How safe is the vaccine-if it ever gets here? How can we avoid it? If we do get it, how do we get through it? There are different schools of thought when it comes to vaccinations, visits to the doctor, and balancing good school attendance with responsible public health practices, which often butt heads with each other.
What is a level-headed parent/grandparent/teacher/any-other-human-on-the-planet to do? First off, stay informed.
Your child's school and pediatrician will have a timely idea of how serious H1N1 is in your community, and the Center for Disease Control is the authority on H1N1 trends, availability (or not) of the vaccine, tips on how to care for a sick person, and more.
Many parts of the country, including my hometown of Bend, Oregon, are experiencing the conundrum that is H1N1: It's the only flu virus in town at the moment, but the vaccine hasn't arrived here yet.
So much for that seasonal flu shot I got a few weeks ago-it may come in handy when that particular strain hits this area, but it's not going to do squat for the crud that's running rampant in both my daughters' schools right now.
Some of us in the family got hit despite our best efforts (and are happy to report that we've actually had much worse flu experiences in the past, symptom-wise, so it wasn't as scary as it could have been).
But once we realized we'd been invaded, we launched an offensive plan to keep the rest of us healthy, and (knock on wood) so far it's working.
Here are some it-sure-can't-hurt suggestions for staying H1N1 flu-free this season: · The only areas the H1N1 virus enters your body is through the nose and mouth/throat.
Period.
So, as much as humanly possible, avoid touching your nose and mouth with your hands and if you absolutely must do so, WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST.
By washing, we mean the old warm-water-and-soap method or using a safe hand sanitizer.
· Limit the possibility of passing those icky germs by WASHING YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY and using a "hands to self" approach as much as you can.
People will understand if you don't want to shake hands or get all touchy-feely these days.
This goes for kisses too-my family is very affectionate that way, but we implemented a policy of blowing kisses or doing the European "air kiss" instead of the normal smack on the lips (which my daughter Elise, our "Fancy Nancy," thought was novel and fun).
· Kill those bugs in your throat by gargling at least twice a day with warm salt water, or if you want to go more hard-core, Listerine.
While the H1N1 virus in small doses isn't known to be particularly dangerous, the rapid growth in your body once it gets in there can be.
Once you come into contact with the bug, it takes 2-3 days for symptoms to show up, so frequent gargling (AND HAND WASHING) even when you feel perfectly healthy is a really, really good idea.
· Don't stop at your throat-remember your nose breathes in the virus too! Keep the H1N1 virus from spreading through your sinus and nasal cavities by blowing your nose thoroughly and then rinsing each nostril with a Q-Tip dipped in warm salt water, more than once a day if you can.
And if you touch your nose, WASH YOUR HANDS.
· Eat healthy! Stay away from sugar and stuff that can drain your energy in the long run-there are many healthy winter snacks that taste great and keep you going.
Boost your immunity with foods and drinks packed with Vitamin C, and it can't hurt to take your multi-vitamins too.
· Stay hydrated.
Keep a BPA-free water bottle on hand for some juice or agua, and during the cool season, a nice warm cup 'o tea in a handy stainless steel bottle is just what the doctor ordered.
Another interesting fact about the H1N1 virus: once it leaves your throat and is forced down to your stomach, it won't survive to make you sick.
So, that warm winter toddy does even more than soothe your throat.
· Don't discount the medicinal effects of some time outdoors! Give your kids a break from being packed into germ-infested public areas like school buses and classrooms - bundle up and take a hike in the fresh air.
Exercise helps to boost your immune system and it's just good for the soul.
Most importantly, cooperate with your kids' schools and other parents to keep infected kids away from their healthy friends (or even siblings) and slow the spread of H1N1.
If your child has a fever, keep them home and quietly separated from people until they've been fever-free (without the aid of medicine) for at least 24 hours.
Use your instincts and don't discount the threat of H1N1, but don't panic either.
Call your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns at all-they will tell you if your case warrants an office visit.
By following the above suggestions you may avoid catching the flu altogether.
And if it enters your home anyway and you've taken precautions to keep the virus from running amok, lots of rest, fluids, and cozy time playing Jr.
Scrabble could be as serious as it gets.
At Play Outdoors our mission is to inspire families to get outside and enjoy the natural world around us.
With the proper kids outdoor clothing and gear and a little motivation, everyone can benefit from a little play outdoors!