Swine Flu Information

In light of the recent outbreak of swine flu that threatens to become a global pandemic, I thought it might be pertinent to provide you with information about the flu from the CDC. The following is a CDC article providing general information about swine flu which you may find helpful.

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?

We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.


• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.


• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.


• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing


• Bluish skin color


• Not drinking enough fluids


• Not waking up or not interacting


• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held


• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough


• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath


• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen


• Sudden dizziness


• Confusion


• Severe or persistent vomiting
  

How serious is swine flu infection?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

For more information call 1-800-CDC INFO, or go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu

Financial Preparedness: Frugality Challenge #5

Make water your drink of choice.

Forget soft drinks and juice. Stick to nature's best thirst quencher and you'll have more pennies in your pocket. Keep water in your car and in your office drawer, take it with you on outings so you won't be tempted to buy something else to wet your whistle.

I used to send in juice boxes for my kids in their school snacks and lunches but now I just send in reusable water bottles and they're perfectly satisfied. It has saved me a lot of money over time and is much healthier for them as well.

Cooking with Basic Food Storage: Delicious Instant Potato Soup Recipe

I promised that I would provide more potato flakes recipes and this one's a keeper:

INSTANT POTATO SOUP
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped fine
• 1 carrot, sliced fine
• 2 ribs celery, chopped fine
• 1 (10 ½-ounce) can chicken broth
• 2 ½ cups milk (or equal parts milk and cream)
• 1 ½ cups instant mashed potato flakes
• Salt and pepper
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)

Place the bacon in a 2-quart Dutch oven or saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add onions, carrots and celery; cook over low heat until vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally.

Add chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add milk. Gradually stir in instant potatoes, blending smoothly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Gently heat soup to desired temperature; do not boil. Add more milk if soup seems too thick, more flakes if too thin. Serve topped with green onion and reserved bacon. Makes 6 servings.
Per serving: 152 calories (32 percent from fat), 5.4 g fat (2.7 g saturated, 1.7 g monounsaturated), 14.9 mg cholesterol, 7.9 g protein, 18.2 g carbohydrates, 1.7 g fiber, 480.5 mg sodium.

OTHER IDEAS FOR POTATO FLAKES
Potato Flakes can also be substituted for cornstarch or flour to thicken gravy and sauces, and it works perfectly -- no lumps, no off taste. Same with homemade soups -- add one cup of flakes to 4 cups soup.

Source: Linda Cicero, Cook's Corner

Provident Living: Saving Money on Groceries

I came across a great article in Meridian Magazine this week by Lyle and Tracy Shamo entitled "Trim the Fat out of your Food Budget." If you're trying to lower your family's food costs, it has some great ideas. Click the link below for the article:

http://www.ldsmag.com/debtfree/090401fat.html

Financial Preparedness: Frugality Challenge #5

Grow your own food. Then eat it, freeze it and can it!

Gardening is one of the best ways to save money on groceries and provides you with a spring, summer and fall of enjoyment as you watch plants grow and mature and enjoy the harvest. It also promotes healthy eating habits and teaches your family to work. So if you have the inclination, this is the month to get started. I love living in the northeast U.S. because it's so easy to grow things. Plant a seed or seedling and pretty soon you have a thriving plant! Here's a gardening "to do list" for the month of March I found on about.com. This is for my area. . .you may want to look up a to-do list for where you live because it may be different:

Flowers and Vegetables:

• If you'd like to try your hand at growing your own plants, March is the time to start indoor seeds of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and other warm-season veggies. Tomatoes are best started late in the month to avoid ending up with leggy plants come May.
• When your garden is dry enough (feels crumbly like chocolate cake, not squishy like Play-Doh), it's time to till and prepare it for planting. Take a soil sample to your Penn State county extension office to be analyzed, and work in fertilizer and other nutrients as indicated.
• St. Patrick's Day is the traditional time to plant peas and potatoes, but you may have to wait a few weeks until the ground dries out unless you prepared the soil last fall. Rhubarb, asparagus, and onion sets can also be planted now.
• Remove mulch covers from roses, azaleas, clematis vines and other tender shrubs once nighttime temperatures rise into the 30s (be prepared to recover if a late cold-snap hits). Leave mulch around spring flowering bulbs and tender perennials, however, as it will provide protection to emerging shoots against cold, drying winds.
• Trim back winter-killed rose canes to one inch below blackened area and all rose canes to about six inches above ground level. Cut back any perennials that weren't cleaned up last fall, as well as ornamental grasses.
  

Trees & Shrubs:

• Prune fruit trees, bramble fruits, and grapes (except peaches and nectarines, which are best pruned before they flower) before the buds swell.
• Prune summer and fall blooming shrubs now (wait to prune spring blooming shrubs such as azaleas until after they bloom). Delay pruning evergreen shrubs and hedges until early summer.
• Apply dormant oil spray to any trees and shrubs (except blue spruce)that are plagued by scale insects or mites.
• Now's the time (before it gets too hot and dry) to plant deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, weather and soil conditions permitting.
• Fertilize established rhododendrons, azaleas, roses and other ornamental trees and shrubs, as well as fruit trees. Follow the recommendations on the fertilizer bag.

Lawn Care:

• Fertilize your lawn with either an organic or a chemical fertilizer and treat lawns, as necessary, for crabgrass or annual bluegrass problems with a pre-emergent preventer (watch for air temperatures above 60° F for 4-5 consecutive days for the right timing). Consider a product that combines the two to save on application time.
• When weather conditions permit, remove excess thatch from your lawn and aerate it, if necessary.
• Fertilize established lawns.