Tag Archives: swine flu

•New Year’s Resolution, pt. 2: A Tribute to 2009!

31 Dec

This post is a tribute to the many things that has happened and the many people I have met in 2009:

Events:

People:

  • My grandparents.  Although this year, I lost my grandma, I am still grateful to have known her well.  All of my grandparents have brought me up at one time in my life, and they’re the ones that taught me to care for others, to strive for excellence and, above else, to be proud of who I am.
  • New friends.  As many of my friends know, I love meeting new people.  The different tastes and passions each person has creates such diversity in views that I become excited with the aspect of meeting someone different from myself.  I learn about great new cultures and jobs because of the different people I meet, and I am thankful that this year, I have met many many different people, from whom I can draw inspiration.
  • A Mystery in my life.

Of course, no true tribute can be without the incompletion of my lofty 2009 goals. (See full list and what’s actually been completed.)

Part 1: Enjoy Life Now!
Part 3: A Letter to Myself

•A/H1N1 (Swine Flu) Continues to Haunt the Back of Our Minds

23 Dec

Not to frighten anyone, but WSJ published a great map of the United States showing where various strains of the flu and A/H1N1 reside.  A/H1N1, originally called “Swine Flu” and then renamed to “H1N1″ is officially AH1N1 or A/H1N1 or A (H1N1).

In the fall months of 2009, there have been more outbreaks of the A/H1N1 virus.  Since flu season is usually around this time, it is going to be more difficult to determine a seasonal flu virus from the A/H1N1 virus.  So, please be sure to take care of yourselves!

For those living in New York, the NYC Department of Health has expanded its recommendation to provide the H1N1 flu vaccine to anyone aged four years and older regardless of their health status or occupation, so go get your vaccinations!  For New Yorker vaccination locations, click here.

Nationwide:

New York / New Jersey:

Region 8:  Worst A/H1N1 outbreak appeared in the fall season of 2009, in particularly in “Region 8″, which includes Connecticut, Montana, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

For more elated posts:

•Fight the Flu This Holiday Season: 3 natural ways to boost immune system

25 Nov

With the winter months coming faster, more and more people are prone to get colds, allergies and flu-like symptoms.  So here are ways to boost up your immune system without popping pills!

1.  Eat lots of nutritious foods high in Vitamin A like colorful fruits and veggies as well as zinc, found in seafood, nuts and whole grains.  Yes, it’s the holiday season and there will be plenty of amazing dishes set on the table, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t help your immune system by eating just a few extra fruits, veggies, seafood and grains! (For more detail.) 

2.  Layer and dress warmly!  Simple as it sounds, not a lot of people follow that critical “Mom rule”… Either because of fashion or laziness, people end up going through the winter months with nothing but a sweater and jeans.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t work!  Without warmth, the body will be susceptible to viruses and other seasonal destroyers.

3.  Keeping up with hygiene.  I know the winter months are tough to get your cleaning mode on; however, this period is the most critical.  With everyone sneezing and coughing around you, be sure to wash your hands regularly.  At home, keep the countertops as dust-free as possible, especially since winter is dry season and dust bunnies come out of hiding.

That being said don’t forget to get your seasonal flu vaccination as well as H1N1 vaccination if eligible!  Click here for H1N1 vaccination locations in New York.

Criteria for eligibility for H1N1 vaccination:

  • Pregnant women
  • Anyone 4 through 24 years old
  • People 25 through 64 with health conditions that make flu more dangerous. These include asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung conditions, kidney failure, or a weakened immune system.
  • Anyone who lives with or cares for children less than 6 months old
  • Health care workers who have direct contact with patients and cannot receive vaccine through their employers

•Swine Flu Vaccine: NOT YET AVAILABLE

5 Oct

People, people!  The long-sought-after-and-deeply-desired swine flu is NOT AVAILABLE YET.   Although the CDC website indicates the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available this fall (and it is fall already!), the recent NY Times article revealed that it’s not yet ready… at least not in New York.  So hold your horses~!  In the mean time, be cautious of your symptoms—cold vs. flu vs. swine flu!

Other Swine Flu related posts:

•Swine Flu Veering Its Ugly Head: 3 updates

18 May

Updates on A/H1N1 (Swine Flu):

1. The first NYC swine flu-related death occurred Sunday night. Mitchell Wiener, 55, assistant principal at a New York City public school died in Queens Hospital after 5 days of hospitalization.  “Mr. Wiener had a history of medical problems that may have put him at greater risk, the officials said.”  Although there is a rise of the flu in different parts of New York, Dr. Frieden, NYC’s health commissioner states “‘Nothing we’ve seen so far suggests that it’s more dangerous to someone who gets it than the flu that comes every year. We should not forget that the flu that comes every year kills about 1,000 New Yorkers.’”

2. W.H.O. might raise pandemic alert level to 6 (highest level). The Japanese government has ordered closures of more than 1,000 schools and kindergartens in and near Kobe and Osaka.  Before this weekend, Japan believed it had contained the virus.  “It quarantined them and 50 other passengers, began sending medical workers to meet each flight arriving from North America to take temperatures of those on board and told visitors they would need to have their temperatures recorded daily.”  However, on Sunday, a Kobe 17-year-old who had not been overseas, was confirmed to have the virus.  “If the World Health Organization finds sustained community transmission — that is, infections between people with no connections to travel from North America — it will presumably raise its pandemic alert level to 6, because Japan is outside the W.H.O. Americas region.”

3. For constant updates, go to CDC’s Swine Flu website: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Other Swine Flu related posts:

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