It’s official. Our tribe members are tipping like dominoes. Doc missed three days of work. Unheard of in the twenty-seven years we’ve been married. Kiddo number three woke up yesterday with a temp of 101. Oh my, to the doctor we fly.
Yesterday, I felt like Dead-woMan-Walking. I thought “I’d better keep moving in case I’m next.” I bought groceries and ran errands like a crazy woman.
I shopped for items to add to my arsenal of flu fighting weapons. In fact, I thought it was so funny I took a picture of all the anti-bacterial/viral items in my cart.
It’s not so funny today.
Today its me…and about all I have to say is “Ugh.”
So,here’s the deal sweet DoAheads, I’m going to save my simple but sure-fire organizational tip for next week so today I can share pointers on flu prevention and treatment (because I love you all and I don’t ever want you to feel like this.)
The article in this link from Web MD gives six simple tips for cold/flu prevention. Check it out.
If you’re shy on time, the broad strokes are this:
1. Get a flu shot.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Use a hand sanitizer if you can’t wash.
4. Avoid sick people (this may require slipping pancakes under the door if you happen to live with the sick person).
5. Keep your environment clean (ie. disinfect, doorknobs, handles, keyboards).
Here’s a link to an article with a terrific comparison between cold and flu symptoms. Sometimes it’s hard to tell isn’t it?
The article features the chart below:
|
Symptom |
Cold |
Flu |
| Fever | Rare | Fever between 100 and 102 in most cases; typically lasts 3-4 days |
| Chills | Not common | About half of people with flu get them. |
| Muscle or body aches | Not common. If they do occur, usually mild | Common and often severe |
| Headaches | Not common | Most cases; may be sudden |
| Feelings of fatigue, weakness | May occur, generally mild | Moderate to severe fatigue and weakness; may last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Cough | Common, generally mild to moderate, usually produces phlegm | Dry cough (no phlegm) that may be severe; may last several weeks |
| Sneezing and stuffy nose | Common. Stuffy nose may last about a week. | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Chest discomfort | Sometimes; generally mild | Common; may be severe |
| Vomiting and diarrhea | Unusual | Not usual; most often in children |
(Chart courtesy of: http://symptoms.webmd.com/cold-and-flu-map-tool/difference-cold-or-flu)
I’ll close with one more link DoAheads. This one has a list of ideas for how to feel better. (Not so coincidently, it’s the one we are focusing on!)
Below is an abbreviated version:
1. Stay home until fever free for 24 hours.
2. Eat healthy.
3. Take steamy showers.
4. Eat Chicken Soup (ours is in the oven right now.)
5. Use menthol ointment on ones chest.
6. Prop with pillows to sleep better.
7. Drink plenty of fluids.
8. Gargle with warm salt water.
9. Avoid smoke.
10. Use a humidifier.
11. Use saline spray for stuffy nose.
12. Take medicine for symptoms.
13. Get 7-8 hours of sleep at night.
Time to sign off. Soup and tea for this Hen and her chicks. Looking forward to being back to normal soon. As I whisper prayers for this household I’ll whisper them for you too!
Your {cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze} DoAhead Friend,
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