Whoo Boy!  I forgot until last week how much I hate having the stomach flu.  For all you bio-techies, I know there’s no such thing as the stomach flu, only stomach viruses or food poisoning.  But whatever got me last week, it got a hold of me for a week.

I do not recommend this version of Carol’s quick weight loss diet. For 3 days, I couldn’t keep anything down, not even the ‘rock-steady’ saltines and ginger ale.  By the third day, I was getting lightheaded (even more than my usual self). I kept thinking that I needed an electrolyte replacement like Pedialyte, but was too beat up to move from the couch.  (Funny how fast you can move to the nearest bathroom, though, when the urge strikes!)  Did someone get the number of that truck that hit me?

Now you can make your own Pedialyte without ever leaving your kitchen. Except for packets of Kool-Aid, most everyone has these staples in their kitchen. Here’s the recipe, and hopefully, you’ll never have to use it.

 Homemade Pedialyte

Mix 2 quarts of water with:

• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 7 tsp. sugar
• 1 (1/4 oz.) package of powdered drink mix like Kool-Aid
• 1/2 tsp. salt.

Store this mixture in the refrigerator no more than 3 days. This can be made into ice cubes or frozen in popsicle molds for children or adults.

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My son started feeling sick today. Whether it’s the Swine Flu, the Stomach Flu, or just a regular cold from a virus, I don’t want to get sick, and the rest of my family doesn’t want to either. The problem is how do you care for a child or family member and keep from getting sick yourself? The answer: disinfect the house!

According to the Federal Center for Disease Control, viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces, so a thorough cleaning of sinks, toilets, doorknobs, and other hard surfaces that people frequently touch is the first and most important step in preventing the spread of disease. Incubation of the flu is generally 1-3 days, but can last as long as 7 days. Persons with swine influenza A (H1N1) should be considered potentially contagous for up to 7 days after the onset of symptoms. So it’s important to clean if you think you’ve been exposed and continue the cleaning for a week after onset even if symptoms lessen.

Let’s start with the basics-the difference between clean and disinfected. You may have a very clean home, but it may not be disinfected. To clean means to remove dirt and food from surfaces such as countertops and floors. To disinfect means to remove microorganisms (germs), in other words, viruses and bacteria to a safe level. To properly disinfect, you must first clean.

Disinfecting, also called sanitizing, can help prevent disease transmission. However, a sanitized surface is not sterile or completely free of bacteria but it will greatly help the spread of illness. One official and legal definition states that…

a sanitizer must be capable of killing 99.999% of a specific bacterial test population, and to do so within 30 seconds.

Let’s discuss the best methods to disinfect your home:

1. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite): This is the most effective, and cheap way to sanitize. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the use of bleach for controlling the spread of pathogens that can cause infections and other health threats. Use a 5% solution by mixing the amounts below with fresh tap water. The diluted bleach loses strength within a day, so make it fresh when you need it.

NEVER mix ammonia with sodium hypochlorite (bleach or bleach-containing products). This common household error produces a toxic gas that can cause choking and serious breathing problems. Use in a well ventilated area. Always label the container that you use to prevent accidental poisoning.

Recipe for Bleach Disinfecting Solution
(For use in bathrooms, kitchens, floors, etc.)

1/4 cup bleach
1 gallon of cool water

OR

1 tablespoon bleach
1 quart cool water

Add the household bleach (5.25%
sodium hypochlorite) to the water.

Recipe for Weaker
Bleach Disinfecting Solution
(For use on toys, eating utensils, etc.)

1 tablespoon bleach
1 gallon cool water

2. Phenols such as Lysol: Laboratory tests have shown that many LYSOL® products, when used according to label instructions, are effective against similar strains of Influenza virus H1N1. These LYSOL® products include: LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray, LYSOL® Disinfecting Wipes, and LYSOL® All Purpose Cleaners, both pourable and trigger products. With the spray, you can cover mattresses and other hard to clean areas.

Make Your Own Disinfecting Wipes:

1. Cut a roll of Bounty paper towels in half, and remove cardboard tube.
2. Find an old 5-quart ice cream bucket, storage container or an empty large canister of commercial wipes to store your wipes. Just make sure it’s airtight.
   
3. Cut an “X” in the top. This is optional since you can just open the container and pull one out.
   
4. In your airtight container, mix 1-1/2 cups water and 1/2 cup of cleaner such as Lysol or Mr. Clean Anti-Bacterial.
5. Place 1 half-roll of paper towels inside and seal with lid.
6. Turn upside down until all the liquid is absorbed in paper towels.
7. To use, pull each piece of paper towel out of the center.
8. If they become dried out, add more of your diluted cleaning solution.
   

Homemade wipes

For a recipe to make your own baby wipes, visit Homemade Disinfecting or Baby Wipes.

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We’ve all heard the news by now about Swine Flu. In Mexico City, Mexico, the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has claimed over 150 lives, mostly in younger healthy adults in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. There have already been over 40 diagnosed cases in the US (as of April 27, 2009), and certainly more will be diagnosed in the coming weeks. The reason this particular flu is hitting the news is because the Center for Disease Control (CDC) fears this may become the biggest pandemic since the 1918 flu where an estimated 20 to 100 million people were killed worldwide.

However frightening, this is not a time for panic but a time to become knowledgeable about the illness and its prevention.

The virus can not be spread by eating pork products, but can be spread by contact with a sick individual. This swine flu is different biologically than other flu and therefore, previous flu vaccines are not effective to ward off this virus. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. Swine flu is spread the way other flu viruses are spread, from person-to-person contact through sneezing or coughing of the infected person. You can also get the flu by touching the virus, then touching your eyes or nose.

Incubation is generally 1-3 days, but can last as long as 7 days. Persons with swine influenza A (H1N1) should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days after the onset of symptoms.

What are the symptoms of the Swine Flu? The symptoms are identical to other types of flu, and includes:

• fever
• lethargy
• lack of appetite
• coughing
• body aches

Not as common but can be present are:

• runny nose
• sore throat
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea

The virus can be diagnosed with a respiratory specimen taken within the first 4-5 days of illness. This is when the person is shedding the most virus. It is important to get to your doctor within the first few days to get proper treatment and care.

The virus has been shown to be susceptible to two antiviral drugs, oseltamivir or zanamivir. These drugs are being used for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

The Department of Homeland Security is recommended that all travel to Mexico be suspended until the threat has passed. You may have seen news stories of people in Mexico wearing masks over their mouths, but it has been shown that these are ineffective to prevent disease since the virus can pass through the mask. However, they will stop larger drops of saliva from a sneeze or cough, so if you must come in close contact with someone with the flu, wearing a mask is suggested.

You can also take these measures to avoid flu exposure:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially in public places. Alcohol based cleansers like Purell also work.
2. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth until you can wash your hands.
3. Avoid being around people who are sick. If you feel sick yourself, stay away from work or school.
4. If someone in your family gets the Swine flu, other family members can take antiviral drugs to help them avoid the flu.
5. Avoid travel to Mexico until the epidemic subsides.
6. Keep your immune system healthy by getting proper nutrition and vitamins, getting sufficient sleep, and avoiding stressful situations.

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