Flu Shots

[DanaHesson]

Just thinking of this because it was the topic of one of my favorite talk radio shows tonight.....

The best way to protect yourself from the flu or anything else for that matter is to WASH YOUR HANDS. Carry hand sanitizer, clean your hands after touching doorknobs, elevator buttons, etc. Also, teach your children to sneeze into the crook of their elbow, rather than covering their mouth and nose with their hands. Little ones will learn that lesson well, sneeze on the playground and then immediately high five their buddies, sharing those germs. By sneezing into the crook of their arm, they stop the germs with themselves. Works for adults too.....

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great thoughts, Dana, thanks. And welcome to the DIS!!!

Dan

 

[missyc]

I totally agree. I'm a nut about stuff like that and have taught my kids to be too! The sneezing thing has always bugged me. Sometimes they even sneeze into their shirts and get their belly. Yuck!

 

[Trish5768]

You can teach your kids to wash their hands long enough to kill all those germs by telling them to sing Happy Birthday (to themselves or outloud) while they wash. I always tell mine to sing to whoevers birthday is next ie. brother, grandmother etc.

 

[DanaHesson]

And be sure to teach them to clean around their fingernails!!! Im a nurse, and we recently did a handwashing clinic. We used this lotion that simulates germs under blacklight. We carefully applied it, then went to wash our hands. It was amazing how many "germs" were missed, even by healthcare workers who wash carefully all the time!!

Encourage your family and friends who are healthy and young to bypass the flu shot this year. Only people with chronic health problems should be vaccinated. Dont allow the media to create a false sense of urgency here....

 

[Beth76]

I've stopped using antibacterial soap because it was drying my hands. Should I go back for flu season. We can't get the vaccine because my older son is too old and my younger son is too young (3-1/2 mos). I am a little worried about the little one.

 

[Nancy]

I've never had a flu shot and the last time I had a bad case of the flu I was in my early 20's (now late 40's) I work with the public in a grocery store, deal with customers, handle money, touch all kinds of stuff that sick people touch when they come in to buy medicine. I am a fanatic about washing my hands. I keep hand sanitizer on my desk, plus it is at every register. I use antibacterial soap to wash dishes and hands in the bathrooms. My kids have never had shots and have never had more then a cold. Either we are very lucky, or we're doing something right. The only one's to get shots are my Mom (battling cancer and going through chemo) and my MIL 2 heart attacks and has had 2 shunts put in.

Maybe I should knock on wood, because with my bragging we'll probably all get clobbered with it this year!

 

[DanaHesson]

I wouldnt worry too much about your little ones. Just keep them away from sick people
As far as the antibacterial soap question.... My mom solved that problem this way.. She has a lotion dispenser right next to the soap dispenser at the kitchen sink. And the alcohol based sanitizers are made with special emmolients to prevent drying. They actually soften and moisturize.


The flu is not a fun thing to have, but for the VAST majority of people, it passes within a week, with no permanent damage. Those who really need the shot are those with chronic health problems.

 

[missyc]

My dad told me there was an article in the paper cautioning people from getting the flu shot because they are concerned about bio-terrorism. Anybody else hear this? I was ready to take the kids to the health dept since they had finally recieved their supply. Now I'm not so sure (DS has asthma).
Oh what to do, what to do..........

 

[shortbun]

I got my flushot today. My doctor's office had enough to have
two shot clinics so far. They are recommending everyone get
them that can. I work with children and am borderline diabetic
so I fit the profile but my doc said everyone and anyone who
can get a shot should. Interesting eh? I can't get DS one as
his pediatrician doesn't have any yet. He officially had influenza
A last year. He was very sick.