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Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Watching the news last night, there was another story about the N1H1 Flu. This story was not about how the World Health Organization has declared this strand of flu a global pandemic. Instead it was about number of calls about allergic reactions to the vaccine. It seems like there is always something to cause us worry. This, like most things, is not as scary as it seems when you have the facts.

The swine flu vaccine, like the regular flu vaccine, is made using chicken’s eggs. It’s a complicated scientific process that there is no need to go into here, but the thing to know is the vaccine contains remnants of egg proteins. Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in infants and young children. (Most children will outgrow their allergy to eggs – one study found that half of infants with an egg allergy outgrew it after 35 months and 66% after 5 years.)

Children are considered particularly susceptible to the swine flu. This gives them top priority in receiving the vaccine. If you have a child that is high risk for allergies, talk to your doctor. They can test for allergies prior to giving the vaccine. I am not an expert, so please talk to your family physician regularly to ensure the continued health of your child.

There are ways you can help prevent food allergies from developing and so you would not have to worry about this recent development. Basically if boils down to avoiding high risk foods, especially if your child is at high risk (meaning they already have a known food allergy, eczema, hay fever, or asthma – or has a family member with these problems.) Breastfeeding is vital and so is avoiding foods that are common food allergies in children while you are doing so. Your doctor can give you specific guidelines as far as your and your child’s diets; as well as when it is safe to introduce foods.

The vaccine is important; as is good sanitation around your home. Be sure that you use your UV-C sanitizer wand to disinfect surfaces and objects at home. Wash your bedding, towels and other linens regularly. The best way to keep yourself safe and healthy this flu season is by being aware of your surroundings and being extra diligent with sanitation. This flu season is just starting; make sure you are equipped with the latest and greatest tools.

Germs are everywhere; this is a given. I know I think about germs being on shopping carts and ATM buttons and door handles. Here are a few places that might not cross your mind. (These are ranked according to what is the most contaminated.)

• Movie theatre seats, which have more germs than public bathroom surfaces, made the list. If you are like me, that never crossed your mind. I remember an urban legend from my youth about theater seats, but never found any proof. But after seeing them on the list, it makes total sense.
• Gym equipment is somewhat obvious. Gyms have the signs that ask all patrons to wipe down the machines before and after use, but I have definately seen people just walk away from a machine after they are done. It is such a simple thing to do and it will cut down on the number of germs you are exposed to.
• Park benches are frequented by an assortment of people. The variety of sitters and the fact that they are outside makes they prime candidates for germs. If you carry wipes in your purse, wipe down the seat. Or you can use a Mini UV-C Wand to kill 99% of germs on the surface with a simple wave. Compact and convenient. (You can use the wand before a movie too.)
• Bank countertops have people leaning on them all day and talking away to the tellers. Do these get wiped down? I’d like to think that they are cleaned at the end of the day but I don’t know. There is no reason to lean on the counter. Use it to write what you need to and then let it be.
• The number 1 germiest things are the rails and armrests on public buses. This makes sense when you consider the number of people that frequent public transit systems daily. To avoid some of these germs: use you wand, find a seat and keep you hands to yourself.
• But don’t forget about your desk at work. The average desk has 400 times more germs than the average toilet seat! And a cold virus can survive for 72 hours on your computer keyboard, telephone, or the handle on the office microwave. I recommend using your wand daily and a sanitizer wipe or cleaner once a week.

It is simple to drastically reduce the number of germs you are exposed to. It is definately worth the minimal time to keep yourself and your family healthy.

Allergies can be quite annoying. You feel fine; you just can’t breathe. Whether is is pollen or dander or mold, it’s out there causing havok on your health. There are several ways you can combat this.

Start with your home:You want (well need) to be able to breathe easy at home. This is your sanctuary afterall. You should use a Large UV-C Sanitizer Wand to make sure all of your surfaces are clean. Then, for the air, you have several options. There is the Pluggable Air Sanitizer, UV-C Air Sanitizer, Table Top Air Purifer, and the Complete Air Cleansing System. Depending on how severe your allergies are, you will have to decide which product would be best for you.

• The Pluggable Air Sanitizer and the UV-C Air Sanitizer harness the natural power of UV-C light rays to kill airborne mold spores and 99% of bacteria. It also fights odors from pets, mildew, etc. The pluggable is ideal for a small room, like a bathroom, while the other is good for larger areas.
• The Table Top Air Purifer also uses UV-C light rays to do the above. It also has a charcoal filter to remove odors and smoke, a HEPA filter to capture airborne allergens, a PCO filter to capture and dissolve mold and mildew, and an Ionizer that emits negative ions to freshen the air.
• The Complete Air Cleansing System does all of the above and also has a pre-filter for larger particles such as pet hair and lent.

You should also use a pillow protector and a mattress encasement. These will not only protect your investment in your pillow and mattress, it will also trap dust and allergens inside of these items. It also allows for easy cleaning of these items. Simple remove the covers and throw in the washer each time you wash your bed linens.

When you are at the office, you should use the same precautions: getting an air purifier and a sanitizer wand. The number of people you work with and the set up of your office will help you determine which of the air sanitizers above would be the most prudent at work. I would recommend a table top air purifier because it will get everything but the larger particles (and most people don’t have furry pets at work anyway). You can get a mini sanitizer wand so it will fit perfectly in your pen cup or top drawer.

In the car, you can keep your mini wand with you. This way you can sanitizer your steering wheel, door handles, etc. Especially if you have children, think about when you last cleaned those knobs. A sanitizer wand is the perfect daily tool that is quick and effective. If you are in a car pool (or you are soccer mom transporting lots of kids), you should invest in a personal air purifier. Other people’s germs will always be a risk to you, more so in close quarters. Simple wear it during the drive to ensure easy breathing.

If you are like me, you will resort to medication as a last resort. It makes sense with allergies because there are amazing products out there to keep you tip top without having to introduce foreign chemicals into your system. (I still use medication, I just reserve it for more severe times. I urge you to try the products above first. If will save you money over time as you find your health is stronger because the quality of air you breath is purer.

We are on the second wave of the H1N1 infections. According to a report from ABC and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) N1H1 Page shows the South being hit hardest. As a note the CDC also has a page that gives a situation update- it’s concise and easy to understand. The same precautionary efforts should be taken for this strand of influenza that you would take when dealing with all colds and the flu.

Wash your hands. This is the most important things. You touch so many surfaces everyday that are covered with germs. Then you use your hands to hold silverware and eat. One way to minimize the number of germs your hands come in contact with is by using a mini UV-C Sanitizer Wand. It is more convenient that disinfectant wipes and more effective. Keep it in your purse or pocket and your are golden. You simple wave it over any surface you will touch and it kills 99.9% of germs! (Science is pretty awesome.) Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible. This is a major way germs get into your body.

Of course, cover your mouth then you cough and be aware of others around you. If they are sick, then the virus could be in the air. A smart step to take is to sanitize the air. You can buy a plug-in unit for $70. This will keep your healthier and keep your place fresher. For your college students, a Clean 2 Vacis probably more practical. Along with being a cordless handheld vacuum, the charging stand is also an air sanitizer.

The N1H1 Strand generally is more severe than the typical flu strand, but the same precautions should be taken for both. With little effort, you will be able to keep your family healthy throughout this flu season.