Can you believe that one of the easiest and most inexpensive preventative medicine strategies is literally available at your fingertips and cost less than one penny?   It is called Hand washing.  Hand washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection.
 
What happens if you do not wash your hands frequently?  You can pick up germs from other sources such as food to hands, hands to food, hands to others and hands to objects.  Your hands will infect you when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.  And before you know it, everybody is sick.  Other more serious diseases are spread through this type of contact including Hepatitis A, meningitis, and infectious diarrhea.
 
WASH YOUR HANDS:
 
After coughing or sneezing (cover your nose or mouth with your hand or cough into your upper arm),
Before, during, and after preparing food (especially raw foods),
Before you eat, and after using the restroom,
Before and after changing or handling dirty diapers
 
HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS:
 
Wet your hands and apply soap
Rub your hands vigorously on all surfaces for 10-15 seconds
Rinse well
Dry hands with a clean paper towel and turn off the faucet with the paper towel before discarding

www.henrythehand.com

www.cdc.gov 
 
Take care of you and yours
 
Darla F. Adams RN BSN NCSN

1.  Say Yes to the flu shot
2.  The ideal time to get vaccinated is before the onset of flu season  (November - December, but it's never too late.  Get a flu shot yearly. 
3.   EAT TO BEAT ILLNESS
  "Diet is the fuel that runs the complex human machine and all of its parts, including the immune system"   Eat high-quality protein, such as fish, lean meats and beans, brightly colored fruits and veggies and omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, walnuts and flaxseed.
4.   Keep Moving 
  Exercise stimulates the immune cells that target cold infections.  A study found that people who walked or did other moderate activity for 30 min most days averaged one cold per year while less active folks reported more than four colds per year.  Don't overdo it!
5.  Hydrate inside and out
 Lower humidity and temperatures help the flu virus spread, which explains why flu outbreaks peak in winter.  Use a humidifier to maintain around 50 percent humidity and set room temp at 69 degrees F.  Drink plenty of water.
6.   Befriend Bacteria
Probiotics are friendly microbes that may strengthen the immune system.  Aim for three servings a day of probiotic  foods such as yogurt with live bacteria, aged cheese, or fermented foods. 
7.    Sleep on it
Sleep deprivation suppresses immune function.  Get at least 8 hours sleep per night.
8.  Give Germs the slip
The biggest defense against germs is hand washing.    If you can't wash, use hand sanitizer.  Biggest germ culprits are doorknobs, fridge handles, TV remotes, bathroom faucets, money and the hands of others.
9.  Dodge germs in the air
 Germ filled droplets can fly through the air.  If someone within 6 feet of you are coughing or sneezing, turn your head away for about 10 seconds for the air to clear.  If necessary, change seats.   Sneeze into your sleeves and toss used tissues. 

In most cases, West Nile infections are mild and can include fever, headache, nausea,vomiting, rash, muscle weakness and swollen lymph nodes. In a small number of cases, it can cause encephalitis and central nervous systems meningitis which can lead to paralysis, coma and possibly death.

July, August and September are peak months for West Nile Virus, but the virus can strike any time of the year.

The virus is a mosquito borne disease. Transmitted by mosquitoes

Repellent spray with DEET is the most effective against mosquitoes, along with wearing long sleeves and pants and staying inside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

other preventions: repair failed septic systems Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed dispose of old tires, can, containers that can hold water change the water frequently in bird baths, pools, etc cover trash containers to keep out water Keep drains, ditches and culverts free of grass clippings, weeds and trash Mosquito dunks can be purchased at local Lowes/Home Depot/etc

TOP PRIORITY: REMOVE STANDING WATER.

There have been cases in eight counties in MS and a resident in Jones County died.

Daily Journal, August 11, 20011 Vol 1381 No 133