Help Protect Against Flu
Want to avoid the flu during the coming winter? You can by getting vaccinated!
That's the word from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which says October or November is the best time to get a flu shot. The flu season can start as early as October and continue through May.
Tips for Home, Work and School
In addition to getting a flu shot, here are some tips to protect everyone at home, school or work from catching the flu (Teach and remind children to do the same):
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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If you are sick, avoid exposing others, especially those at high-risk. Keep your distance from others.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and then dispose of the used tissue. If you don't have a tissue, cover your mouth with your sleeve.
Wash your hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing, before and after food preparation and eating, after bathroom use, after handling animals and animal waste, any time your hands are dirty, and more often when someone at home is sick. Use soap and warm water and rub vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds (the time it takes to sign Happy Birthday twice) or use an alcohol-based hand wipe or gel sanitizer.
Tips for People Who Travel
The president of the Air Travelers Association recommends that you:
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Cough and sneeze into a tissue or sleeve.
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Bring disinfectant wipes for tray tables and seatbelt buckles.
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Use a paper towel to open the lavatory door to exit after you wash your hands
Wash your hands when you get off the plane.
(You might also want to wash you hands or use a gel sanitizer after bathroom use and before eating.)
For additional information about the flu vaccine recommendations visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
Signals of a Heart Attack
It is important to recognize the signals of a heart attack, but it is equally important to take immediate action and seek medical care. The potential damage to the heart is too important to gamble on the signal being caused by something less fatal. Some signals are:
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Persistent chest pain or pressure that lasts longer than 3 to 5 minutes or goes away and comes back. (Pain or pressure is a primary signal of heart attack.)
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Chest pain spreading to the shoulders, neck, jaw, stomach or arms.
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Nausea or vomiting.
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Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
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Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting.
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Sweating.
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Pale, ashen (grayish) or bluish skin.
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Denial of signals.
Both men and women experience chest pain (the most common signal of heart attack), but women are more likely to experience some of the other signs and symptoms, especially shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting and back or jaw pain. Women are also more likely to delay letting others know about their signals for fear of worrying or bothering them.
Don't delay. Seek help. Call 9-1-1 right away.
Recognizing a Stroke
A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," is caused by a blockage of blood flow to a part of the brain. A stroke can cause permanent damage to the brain if the blood flow is not restored. Strokes can be caused by a blood clot or bleeding from a ruptured artery in the brain.
Like other sudden illnesses, the primary signal of a stroke or mini-stroke is a sudden change on how the body is working or feeling. This usually includes sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg. Usually, weakness or numbness occurs only on one side of the body. In addition, the person may have the following.
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Difficulty talking or being understood when speaking.
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Blurred or dimmed vision.
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Experience a sudden, severe headache; dizziness; or confusion.
For a Stroke, think F.A.S.T.
FACE -- Weakness on one side of the face. Ask the person to smile; this will show if there is drooping or weakness in the muscles on one side of the face.
ARM -- Weakness or numbness in one arm. Ask the person to raise both arms to find out if there is weakness in the limbs.
SPEECH -- Slurred speech or trouble getting the words out.
TIME -- Time to call 9-1-1 if you see any of these signs.
(If a person has difficulty with any of these tasks or shows any other signals of a stroke, note the time that the signals began and call 9-1-1 right away.
Additional
information is available from the...
National
Stroke Association
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