Hi everyone, its miley7311 and I am starting a new series called "Surviving Winter". The first issue has tips on preventing and curing colds and the stomach flu!
Rainy season is here for a lot of us! It's a time of sickness, a time of coldness, and a time of flu shots. In fact, I have had a cold and the flu this summer/fall already! Everyone at school has a cough. Luckily I don't have that! But yesterday I had the stomach flu and boy it was not fun. It was Friday and I had to stay home from school because my tummy hurt!
Germs in the winter are worse because people get cold and chilly, so they spend more time cooped up inside. The classrooms are closed up also and when you are packed in with people who are sick, they breathe in the same air as you and it stays in the classroom or building for a long time. When you breathe in that same air, you may get sick.
There are internal and external things you can do to help. For example, an external thing is to kill germs before they get to you by washing your hands often. An internal thing to do is to get more Vitamin C by taking vitamins and eating extra fruit. Also drink extra water.
Here are some tips on how to survive fall/winter this year without getting sick:
1. Don't sit or hang out with anyone who is, or seems like they are sick. It may infect you with that virus and then you will feel yucky.
2. Don't drink after anybody or share things such as chapstick and lipstick because if the person you shared your lipstick or chapstick with is sick, you may become infected with their virus.
3. Wash your hands before eating or touching your face. This will help prevent the spread of germs to your body.
4. Get a flu shot whether you like it or not, because it will pay off. If your parents say they want you to get a flu shot then go! To help reduce the pain when getting the shot, blow on something as hard as you can. When the needle touches your skin, it won't hurt.
5. Try to do things at home rather than at parks and stores. When people are sick, they may touch their nose, mouth or eyes and then touch something that you may use. However, when you do go to stores, try to use disinfectant wipes or spray on your hands. I still recommend washing up when you're done in a store though.
6. Rent movies instead of going to see them on the big screen, because many people there are sick. I have to admit I break this rule a lot, but I try to limit my time at the movies by making a list of those I want to see that year, and pick one for each month.
7. Wear jackets, long sleeve shirts, and sweatshirts when it's cold, rainy or snowy, because when you get cold, you may get sick.
8. Avoid gumball machines that carry open candy that is not wrapped. Young children may stick their fingers in the machine, and their hands have a lot of germs, which could make you sick.
Now here are some tips on getting through colds:
1. Drink plenty of fluids to break up your congestion. It will also help keep your throat moist. Good soup will also help your throat and chest.
2. Don't eat or drink any dairy. It is bad for your cold and it will make your congestion worse.
3. Stay warm. Even if you feel hot, this will help you get better sooner.
4. Get 10-12 hours of sleep every night and two during the day by taking a nap! If you don't sleep, you will not get better! Next to drinking fluids, sleep is the most important thing to do when you have a cold.
5. Use Vick's nose inhaler to open up your nostrils! It works so good! It is the best cold medicine thing that you can get; it helps your nose, chest, and cough!
6. Blow your nose at least once every five minutes or so. This will help unplug your nose and relieve chest congestion.
7. Eat spicy foods so you can taste them! I love eating burritos with hot sauce or tacos with spicy beans!
For more useful and helpful information on colds visit: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/colds/article_em.htm
Here are some tips on getting through the awful stomach flu:
1. Get 12-14 hours of sleep at night and two during the day. Lots of sleep will help you feel better. It will also help you avoid spreading the virus to others!
2. Don't go to school, as you may infect others around you. The teacher will send you home if you throw up or have a fever.
3. Stay near a bathroom, so if you need to go, you can.
4. Always have a bucket or washable bowl at hand, so if you have to throw up, it is right there.
5. Drink 7-9 cups of water a day, as this will help replenish your body and replace the water you lost from your fever.
6. Stay away from sugar because it will make you feel worse.
7. Drink soda, such as Sprite and 7-Up. The bubbles and fizz are good for your stomach
8. If fever is uncomfortable, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower it. You may also sponge your body with lukewarm water to reduce fever. Do not use cold water or ice.
To find out more information on the flu you should visit: http://health.yahoo.com/flu-overview/influenza-topic-overview/healthwise--hw122014.html, it has lots more useful and helpful info.
Next week will be all about where to get low priced jackets, gloves, sleds, sweat shirts, and how to cure the winter blues!
This is miley7311 going off to rent a movie.
Author's Note: Sources: http://health.yahoo.com/flu-living/influenza-home-treatment/healthwise--hw122190.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/colds/article_em.htm
