For the first time in three decades, Flu Season is late! According to the New York Times, Flu Season has been formally announced by our government. The rule of thumb seems to be that if there is increased activity after three straight weeks in which more than 10 percent of all respiratory specimens reported contain an influenza virus, then flu season has arrived! Flu season makes my skin crawl and sweat. Sweating on a middle-aged woman is never attractive unless you are in the gym and actually working out. Flu and asthma just don’t mix. In my quest to not sweat, I pulled together some fascinating links to information all about flu season! I am ready to take on the flu season! Let’s just hope it doesn’t take me along with it!
Flu season in my asthma entrenched world can create a painful path to missed school or walking pneumonia, like my daughter had two years ago in March. The flu just knocks down my kids, makes me lose sleep and costs a fortune in medications and doctor visits. My husband, who is my partner in health, sickness and you know the rest, is engulfed in tax season during this time (yup, he does tax and business consulting), so I’m pretty much flying solo at this point. Therefore, we strategize avoidance (read my blog about staying healthy in the winter) in catching the flu. This year, I am embracing the concept that stress, lack of sleep and good nutrition welcome illness! Actually, here is a very interesting article about Man Flu and stress!
Nevertheless, I complied a list of interesting links I read up on the late flu season. Actually, I confess that during the whole H1N1 issue, I enjoyed watching the surveillance reports. Now, that could have been since I like anything with the words surveillance in it! So, take a moment and educate yourself too about the flu!
Any and EVERYthing you ever wanted to know about the flu (influenza) and flu season (it really is rather interesting)…
Good Old Fashioned Flu basics and resources from the CDC
Flu and Asthmatics–what does this combo create?
Flu and People at High Risk. I always wanted to update that sentence: at risk with at risk of getting really, really sick!
How does the CDC decide and predict which viruses will plague us? I’ve always wondered how do they choose which vaccinations to produce and now I know: Selecting the Virus in Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
Check out State by State flu activity: Flu view
At Flu.gov you can learn about what to do if you are pregnant, how to care for someone with the flu and travel. After reading up on this website, you’ll be able to chat flu with the best of ’em! I even read a fascinating article about the dedication of a facility that will begin to use animal cells to culture vaccinations instead of fertilized eggs! Which is a BIG deal when you are allergic to eggs and are in a high risk group.
This year, I’m working on good sleep, eating well and less stress (and the flu shot)! What actions or step do you think are the most effective in avoiding the flu?
Wishing you a sneeze-less day-Caroline
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One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
flu shot, better handwashing, plenty of rest, and a loving environment will help keep us healthy!! thank you for posting helpful hints & reminders, Caroline.
Handwashing is a big one!!! We have a new rule of washing hands when we get home!