Our readers know how I feel about vaccines.  These are not the vaccines that Benjamin Franklin advocated more than two hundred years ago.  These are not the vaccines that were created in the 50s and 60s.  These are chemical cocktails that challenge our children’s health and immune system.  They also challenge the health of adults as well.
The choice is yours, as parents whether to inoculate your children and at what age.  My only request is that you look at all of the data.  And, not blindly agree to vaccines because your pediatrician says it’s okay.  That’s what my pediatrician said when asked about trace amounts of mercury and aluminum in the booster shots.  If it was okay, then why six month later did his practice switch to vaccines with fewer trace  chemicals?
The only way your pediatrican will change is if you first educate yourself and then educate them by refusing to spending your money on poor quality drugs  – not just vaccines.
If you are looking for information, I highly recommend the column below written by Kurt Perkins DC on February 3, 2010.  We are reprinting it in its entirety with Dr Perkins permission.  This is the first non-fear based article on MMR vaccines.  This is his response to an article/attack in the British Medical Journal in January on Dr Andrew Wakefield.
MMR Perspective

By Kurt Perkins
http://drkurtrant.blogspot.com/2010/02/mmr-perspective.html
www.mychirorocks.com
All over the news there have been stories how Lancet, the British medical journal, has discredited and voided out the research done by Dr. Andrew Wakefield.  In the Lancet article, Wakefield made a mere SUGGESTION that there MAY be a connection between autism and the MMR vaccine, BUT further studies had to be performed, this was back in the late ‘90s.  That was it, and this was career suicide for him ever since.  To do further studies, he had to do his OWN research.  This is where the supposed ‘conflict of interest’ has come in the news.  A group paid him to do research.  In case you don’t know, it costs money to do research, so he got paid to work.  Read on as we discuss the conflict of interest perspective from the leading pro-vaccine front man.
I’ve waited a week to comment on this issue because I was waiting to see if Dr. Paul Offit was going to make an appearance and he, in fact, did this morning on CBS’s morning program (2/3/10).  I waited because Dr. Offit is the vaccine industries highest paid unofficial spokes person.  Dr. Profit Offit has earned close to $10 million in royalties from the Rotateq vaccine and stands to earn $13-$35 million over the life of the vaccine patents, the one he invented, as well as voted into the child’s mandatory vaccine schedule.
This is the same man that said a baby could tolerate 100,000 vaccines safely.  He also took home $29 million from the sale of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) as part of a $182 million sale of its worldwide royalty interest in the Merck Rotateq vaccine to Royal Pharma.  The amount could be as high as $42 million, based on an analysis of current CHOP administrative policies.
Perspective on conflict of interest is always necessary, especially from a group such as the vaccine industry that has billions and billions of dollars to bury any contrary thought or notion that challenges their cash cow dogma.  Ask this question.  If everyone stopped getting the MMR vaccine, would Dr. Wakefield make any money from those decisions?  On the contrary, how much money would the vaccine industry lose if everyone stopped getting MMR?  The CDC states there were just over 4 million births in 2009.  That would be a huge loss to the vaccine industry if the MMRs were stopped.  Can you image a guaranteed 4 million new customers every year that would buy your product more than once?  Of course, the vaccine industry is going to nullify any accusation that vaccines cause harm.
Prior to the MMR vaccine being given at 12-15 months of age, a child could receive up to 25 doses of vaccines.  You can find the vaccine schedule on the CDC’s webpage.  What poisonous ingredients do those vaccines contain?  How would you like a healthy dose of mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, MSG, and anti-freeze.  Don’t believe me?  Check out the CDC’s page
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf
I’m going to propose that even if a child did not receive the MMR vaccine, autism rates would still sky rocket just like they have the past 20-30 years.  I also propose that mercury is not the only culprit.  Do some research and look at the symptoms of heavy metal toxicity, such as aluminum.  A lot of it sounds like autism type disorders to me.  When vaccines are developed, they are not tested if they cause problems, just if they supposedly can prevent a minor illness most often seen in a culture where sanitation, hygiene, and lack of nutrition are problems.  Not the case in the USA.
My final piece of perspective MMR PERSPECTIVE to challenge you is from the wellness paradigm.  In wellness, dis-ease happens from 2 manners, deficiency, or toxicity.  The human body is an eco-system.  We are animated earth.  There is nothing in the human body that is not Earth, unless man puts it in like mercury, formaldehyde, anti-freeze, or monkey kidney tissue.  For humans to thrive, we must eat, move, and think in a manner that is required for proper genetic expression.  Our cells desire to maintain balance and only become imbalanced when overtaken by deficiency or toxicity.  This is the basis of physiology, not a controversial topic at all.  In the case of vaccines, adding chemicals to the body to prevent minor illness has had a massive trade in overall health.  ‘Science’ will hang onto the notion that mercury does not cause autism, yet they are asking the wrong questions.
The correct question should be, ‘by adding chemicals and viruses to the human eco-system in a way that nature would never allow, will the eco-system flourish or get sick?’  If you look around, the answer is we get sick.  Just in kids, cancer, diabetes, auto-immune disorders, asthma, allergies, and AUTISM are at all time highs and getting worse.  But science will look at the fact that fewer kids get chicken pox or fewer cases of diarrhea and call that success.  It’s absurd and idiotic to say that’s a success when you see the trade off end result.  Are vaccines the only culprit?  Absolutely not, but from a human physiology/eco-system paradigm, vaccines will never move a cell towards balance which promotes growth and repair.  If you want more info regarding vaccines, there are many books.  I always recommend ‘The Sanctity of the Human Blood’ by Dr. Tim O’Shea.  Don’t worry, I get ZERO kick backs for recommending his book.  Another book, not so much a vaccine book but diving into the world of toxicity is called ‘Excitotoxins’ by Dr. Russell Blaylock.  A third book that is great is called, ‘The Virus and the Vaccine’ by Bookchin and Schumacher.  Again, I have no financial ties to these books, so it doesn’t matter to me if you read them or not.  What matters to me is that you get informed from sources that are not tied to the vaccine industry but are well referenced.
Remember that health is a choice, a whole choice and nothing but a choice.  BUT, those choices can only be made accurately if you ask the right questions.
Dr Perkin can be reached at 719.598.6955 or www.mychirorocks.com

By Robert J. Posch
We are quickly approaching the much dreaded “Flu” season once again.  Normally, the “flu” targets citizens over 65. However, the new H1N1 virus, or Swine Flu primarily spreads among the high risk population indiscriminately targeting any age group.  This makes any building vulnerable to the Swine Flu, especially facilities with multi-tenant offices and public restrooms. 

Your first line of defense to defeating the spread of Swine Flu, and other disease, is effective on-site sanitation.  You want your restrooms, phones, door handles and all skin contact areas to be disinfected by trained people.  The President et al cleaner for washing but if the faucets are merely “cleaned” rather than hand disinfected you are only spreading germs (does your school disinfect?).  Then you must insure that your cleaning personnel are completely trained and are utilizing a hospital grade disinfectant (with proper kill claim for H1N1 influenza).

If you are directly involved in the oversight and compliance of your buildings green cleaning program, you should consider making sure your there is a committed true green agenda, which is maximizing the health of each green community – in this case, tenants, visitors and staff.

What You Don’t Want:

 Business as usual approach with no focus on new threats
 No serious effort made to disinfect high areas of bacteria concentration passed from each building occupants (as well as others, if open to the public)
 Over the counter cleaners with little to no disinfecting power in high touch areas such as bathrooms, cafeterias, etc.
 Old fashioned bleaches, etc. that are highly toxic and don’t have the Influenza A and/or Avian Flu claims.
 The old dirty bucket of mop water

Since cleaning is not a core competency but an allocation of resources, has your facility managers done what efficient businesses do – outsource this critical cleaning function to a reputable cleaning company? Reputable is the operative word; Companies who have heavily invested in upfront training for improving health and indoor air quality for every building occupant, their customers and visitors.

Issues important when considering the overall health of your building:

 Training Costs – Does your current cleaning program have a formal training and disinfection protocol for all personnel including OSHA compliance and Blood borne pathogen training?
 Are your cleaning personnel using hospital grade disinfectants designed to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses?
 Is there a process in place at your building occupants to address safety issues regarding the cleaning agents being used?  For example, are all of the cleaning products in the school properly labeled? Are there Material Data Safety sheets (MSDS) for every cleaning product in case of eye/skin contact, ingestion or other accident? How about an OSHA-approved plan for blood borne pathogen exposure?
 Are your cleaners using the most advanced technology? Back Pack vacuums for example which filter to .3 Microns providing cleaner, fresher air; or micro-fiber technology which literally eliminates cross contamination of harmful bacteria and viruses in your facility.

With professional cleaning, you’ll save money and improve the health of all building occupants.

What A Concerned Parent or Other Building Occupant would like to see

Green is defined by Presidential Executive Order 13101 as a “product that reduces the impact on health and the environment compared to similar products.”  We can take the analogy as to the processes used (trained versus “are they trained?”) in the proper mixture, utilization, etc. of these chemicals.

I would like to review with you the following touch points to reduce your exposure to Avian or Swine Flu, as well as have an integrated plan for you to consider.

RESTROOMS: These are high-contact areas and bacteria/virus havens, which are often improperly cleaned/disinfect.  A hospital grade disinfectant effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria and rated as a Staphylocidal-Pseudomonidal- Salmonellacidal-Virucidal is recommended.

                        To find out which products have been tested and approved for killing viruses, including the H1N1 “swine flu” model, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s page on registered antimicrobial products.
 

OFFICES: A green cleaning program which minimizes harmful chemical usage by interchanging micro fiber cloths for complete dust removal while cleaning drier and greener.

 Try to have accessible – hand sanitizer stations beyond the bathroom as hand washing is an important defense against cold/flu.

 A vacuuming program that filters out 99.9% of harmful bacteria and viruses; and leaves fresh healthy air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory illness.

 Encourage anyone who may have cold or flu symptoms to work from home.

How A Good Commercial Cleaning Company Will Help Provide a Green, Healthy Environment

    A reputable commercial cleaning company with a commitment to promoting a healthy school environment.

1.      Knows Restrooms. They understand that a clean classroom begins with a clean restroom, so we clean and disinfect all counters, stall walls, fixtures, fittings, light switches or push plates, and floors with hospital-grade disinfectant. 

2. Knows Carpets. Carpets act like filter inside a building, trapping dirt and other contaminants that would otherwise be airborne – similar to the air filter in your car. You want multiple cleaning processes to keep carpets fresh and clean. This is an important factor in helping to prevent respiratory diseases (especially for little children who are a lot closer to the carpet!).  Regular thorough vacuuming of this nature has been shown to be even more essential than carpet cleaning when it comes to reducing the amount of pollutants in the area (and extending the life of the carpet as well). You should have carpet cleaning experts trained in the most effective methods of extracting the remaining dirt and contaminants from your carpets and area rugs.

3. Knows Green Cleaning. Your children are in an enclosed classroom/school much of the day.  Indoor air quality is essential. In addition to the benefit obtained by using the proper vacuuming you want to improve indoor air quality by avoiding toxic chemicals, and by using the greenest and most effective chemicals. (If the products aren’t effective, then ‘green’ is only a feel-good term.) The chemicals you want are approved by the EPA and the proper use of the chemicals is a must in a good training program for the professionals cleaning and sanitizing your school. Proper products and proper result in the use of less product and achieve better results. Fewer chemicals also mean a healthier environment for staff and children. 

4. Cleans Smarter. In the case of Jan-Pro franchise owners and their employees are trained in the use of color-coded micro fiber cloths to prevent cross contamination (you won’t see a pink microfiber cloth used to disinfect a toilet being used to clean a telephone receiver!). We clean, disinfect and sanitize all drinking fountains, dispensers, showers, etc. Out MSD sheets are available for review for each chemical used – and our professional staff can explain their use. 

5. Trains Better. The people acting as an essential firewall in school health should receive intensive training over five weeks, including training in OSHA Exposure Control Plan & Compliance, Blood Borne Pathogen Standard, Label and MSDS Compliance and Chemical Handling. The training Program should teach specific steps to disinfect surfaces outlined by the Center of Disease Control (CDC).  There is specific DWELL TIME for disinfectants. Even if you are using proper disinfectants you are negating their effective value to your students if you’re in -house people aren’t allowing the disinfectant to dwell for the proper amount of time.
Are We Doing Our Best to Protect Our Students, Teachers and Staff in a Cost-Effective Way?

As a parent ask yourself the last time your child’s school audited:
 Procedures for integrated sanitation to protect your child;
 Training of staff entrusted with sanitizing your child’s school;
 Full costing of your tax dollars to make sure funding a non-core competency makes financial, environmental and health/safety sense in the 21st Century.

The threat of a serious outbreak of swine flu and other health – related issues is a good time to get involved and see if your school has maximized its ability to protect your child at school in the most effective manner. Please give me a call if you’d like to discuss any of these issues further.

Robert J. Posch
Chief Operating Officer
Jan-Pro of Southern Colorado
(719) 264-1117
bob.posch@jan-pro.com

This is from an email I receive today.  I don’t know who the author is.  And, I want to credit whoever is for sending this common sense, not fear-based email on how to prevent MOST flu and viruses.  ~ The Editor

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital  ,  Saifee Hospital  , Tata Memorial etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).
       
The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know (Who is this wonderfully caring person.)

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat.  In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
       
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
       
1. Frequent hand-washing – This is well highlighted in all official communications.
       
 2. Hands-off-the-face” Approach – Resist all temptations to touch any part of face, unless you want to eat, bathe or slap.
       
 3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water  – Use Listerine if you don’t trust salt.  H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.  Simply gargling prevents proliferation.  In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
       
4. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water  -  Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti, both very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities.  Blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
       
5.  Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C such as Amla and other citrus fruits -   If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
                
6. Drink warm liquids – Drinking warm liquids (tea, coffee, broth, etc) has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.  Warm liquids wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
        
I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list.  You never know 20 who might pay attention to it – and STAY ALIVE because of it.

 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding the public that stolen vials of the long-acting insulin Levemir made by Novo Nordisk Inc. still may be on the market. FDA first alerted the public to the theft in June 2009.

Evidence gathered to date suggests that the stolen insulin was not stored and handled properly and may be dangerous for people to use. The agency has received multiple reports of patients who suffered an adverse event due to poor control of glucose levels after using a vial from one of the stolen lots.

In June 2009, FDA reported that three lots of Levemir totaling 129,000 vials had been stolen in North Carolina. So far only about 2 percent of the total amount stolen has been recovered.

The agency continues to aggressively investigate this matter and is asking for the public’s help in reporting any information regarding these vials to FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) by calling 800-551-3989 or by visiting the OCI Web site.

Advice for Patients
Check your personal supply of insulin to determine if you have Levemir insulin from one of the following lots: XZF0036; XZF0037; XZF0038. You can locate the lot number on the side of the box of insulin and also on the side of the vial.
Do not use your Levemir insulin if it is from one of these lots. Replace it with a vial of Levemir insulin from another lot. If you must switch to another brand of insulin for any reason, first contact your health care provider because another insulin product may require adjustments in dosing.
Always look at your insulin carefully before using it. Levemir is a clear and colorless solution.

By Debra Frick
Are you wondering on how to prepare for an influenza pandemic?  You need to know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family.  This will affect not only your family; it will affect your neighbors, the people who run your utilities, and your local corner store. There is a good chance that places we take for granted ever day  will shut down or not be able to function – schools, gyms and churches.
Plan ahead!  Talk with family members and loved ones about how they want to be cared for if they get sick.  Will you need to care for them in your home or elsewhere?
We have all heard the dire predictions and estimated death tolls from this virus, if it does indeed becomes a pandemic . While it can be scary with a little thought we can all be prepared to survive. 
Here are some facts:
• Flu can cause fever, chills, headache, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and muscle aches.
• Unlike other common respiratory infections such as the common cold, influenza can cause extreme fatigue lasting several days to more than a week. 
• Although nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can sometimes accompany influenza infection, especially in children, gastrointestinal symptoms are rarely prominent.
• The illness that people often call “stomach flu” is not influenza. 

Here are some practical things you might have not thought of that should be necessary if we do have a flu outbreak and we find ourselves caring for many sick family members.

1. Where am I going to isolate sick family members?
The CDC recommends that all members with the flu be isolated to one room.  Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house.  (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.  This makes sense in that you have all sick people together and can isolate germs.

2. How do I care for someone with the flu?
The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers.  A phone call is safer than a visit.  If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick person.  People at increased risk of severe illness from flu should not be the designated caretaker, if possible.  Unless the fever is over 101, do not take meds to reduce it.  Use cool clothes to bring it down.  Fever is the body’s way of fighting the flu.  Because of the fever, make sure you keep them well hydrated with water or fruit juice or fluids with electrolytes.   Hot teas such as spice or chamomile with lemon and honey are also good. There are anti-virals that can be prescribed by your doctor or use herbs from a naturopath or herbalist.

3. When should I get emergency medical care?
If you have any of these signs, seek emergency medical care right away:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Decreased or no movement of your baby
• A high fever that is not responding to Tylenol®

4 If I’m the caregiver, how do I keep from getting sick?
• Wear gloves if your hands will come in  contact with respiratory secretions (mucus) or other body fluids;  or contact with contaminated surfaces. 
• It can not be said enough WASH YOUR HANDS! When hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with body fluids, wash hands with soap (either plain or antimicrobial) and water. If hands are not visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based hand rub.  Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person. 
• Old button down shirts can be used as gowns to cover your clothes if you are going between sick rooms and don’t want to risk sharing germs.  If you are holding a baby or small child, wearing a gown is advisable it will protect you from being coughed or sneezed on.  If weather permits, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas (e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).
• Facemasks and respirators may be purchased at a pharmacy, building supply or hardware store as can latex gloves.
5.  What steps should I take to help prevent the spread of germs and protect my health?
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze into your sleeve.  Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.  (If you are pregnant and living or having close contact with someone who has H1N1 flu, talk to your doctor .) Avoid close contact (less than about 6 feet away) with the sick person as much as possible.
• Have a plan to care for sick family members.
• Stock up on household, health, and emergency supplies, such as water, Tylenol®, non-perishable foods.

6.  How do I deal with household cleaning, laundry, and waste disposal during this time?
• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash container lined with a plastic bag.
• Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, AND importantly, these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself.  Clean your hands with soap and right after handling dirty laundry.
• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

7.  What to do I do if I have to go out?
Unless going for medical care or other necessities, people who are sick with an influenza-like-illness should stay home keeping away from others as much as possible.  This means:  do not travel for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). This is to keep from making others sick.
If persons with the flu need to leave the home, they should wear a facemask, and cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.  Have the sick person wear a facemask, if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons.

8.  What to do I do if I am Pregnant?
If you are pregnant caring for the sick person. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and immunity can be suppressed during pregnancy).  Health care professionals don’t know if this virus will cause pregnant women to have a greater chance of getting sick or have serious problems. They also do not know how this virus will affect the baby. They do know that pregnant women are more likely to get sick than others and have more serious problems with seasonal flu.  These problems may include early labor or severe pneumonia.  They don’t know if this virus will do the same, but it should be taken very seriously.

9.  How do I plan for a pandemic?
• Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.  Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
• These are some examples of food and medical supplies that might be good to have on hand:
• Food:  Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter or nuts, dried fruit, crackers, canned juices, fluids with electrolytes, canned or jarred baby food and formula, bottled water
• Medical items: Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment, soap and water, alcohol-based (60-95%) for hand washing and cleaning thermometers, medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, thermometer and sleeves, anti-diarrheal medication, vitamins – especially vitamin C, antacids such as calmcet, cough syrups, ingredients for plasters (mustard or onion plasters), cleansing agent/soap, face masks, old shirts to be used as gowns.
• Other non-perishable items: portable radio, flashlight, pet food, batteries, manual can opener, bottle opener, garbage bags, tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, vinegar, baking soda, bleach, Lysol or Basic H.

10. Will I have enough beds for sick family members?
Cots, camping and bunk beds can be found rather cheaply online or at your local sporting goods store.  Plus these are easier to sanitize than a mattress or boxspring. You are going to need extra blankets and pillows and sheets for these beds.  It is recommended that all these things be washable in hot water.  MAKE YOUR OWN. The Good will and Salvation Army sell blankets cheaply. Two sewn together or crocheted together make a nice warm blanket for that patient with the chills. Make your own pillows out of cotton fabric that can be pre shrunk or out of some old clothes. Large Skirts work well for this. Realize you will be having patients with muscle aches and pains.  Extra Pillows will be a god send.

11. What if I only have one bathroom?
Even though diarrhea and vomiting are not usually associated with the flu, you need to be prepared none the less.  There is no delicate way to put this. Yyou are going to have several people with the runs.  If you don’t have enough bathrooms, a portable toilet can be made with a five gallon bucket and a toilet seat attached. These will need to be emptied and cleaned with a strong bleach solution.  You are going to need extra water to flush your toilet.  Don’t use your drinking water.  So this summer set up a garbage to collect rain water for flushing the waste down the toilet.  (unless you are in the 2 states where this is illegal)  You can do this with out having to worry about breeding mosquitoes if you just squirt a little dish soap in the water every couple of weeks to kill the larvae. Remember when summer is over to move this into a indoor space to avoid freezing.  A Privacy screen can be made from a couple of bi fold doors hinged together.  Remember to stock up on toilet paper and Clorox wipes or make your own out of paper towels and 1/4 cup bleach to a gallon of water.

12.  Do I need a generator?
This is not a luxury item when you are wanting to keep your frozen food frozen while the power is out.  For about $300 you can save your food in your freezer.  It can also be used to run a TV, a radio or a computer. These can be bought at any hardware or online.  Some companies offer free shipping.  Summer time is the best time to find these on sale. Get a couple of gas cans and stock up on gas when the price is low.  These can be stored safely in a garage or shed until needed.  Remember metal cans are safer that the cheap plastic.  You can run your freezer for two weeks on 4 gallons of gas.  Plus you don’t have to run your freezer 24-7 you can run it for a couple hours at a time on and off to keep the food frozen.  This would maximize your gasoline consumption.
12. What do I do with our kids?
Flu can be very serious in young babies.  Babies who are breastfed do not get as sick and are sick less often from the flu, than do babies who are not breastfed. Breastfeeding protects babies.  Breast milk passes on antibodies from the mother to a baby.  Antibodies help fight off infection.  Do not stop breastfeeding if you are ill.  Breastfeed early and often. Limit formula feeds if you can.  This will help protect your baby from infection. Be careful not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face, wash your hands often with soap and water. Your doctor might ask you to wear a mask to keep from spreading this new virus to your baby.  If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump and have someone give the expressed milk to your baby. 
Is it OK to take medicine to treat or prevent H1N1 flu while breastfeeding? Yes.  Mothers who are breastfeeding can continue to nurse their babies while being treated for the flu.
When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so that they will not cough in your face. Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick.
Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for a longertime. 
Keep your kids home if they are sick.  This also applies for parents – if you are sick, STAY HOME!  Stock up on board games, card games and coloring books.  Older kids might like puzzles.  Extra Batteries for the game boy and wii; and maybe some new computer games stockpiled would be a good idea also.  Put aside some books or download ebooks.
If the electricity goes out, besides your freezer, you might want to invest in some old fashioned oil lamps to light your home. They provide more light than a candle and can be bought new for as little as four dollars at Wal-Mart.  You will need one for every family member and a couple extra just to provide additional light.
You also may want to hit the local farms market to get fresh vegetables to make homemade soups this summer that you can freeze for your sick ones this winter.  Chicken Noodle and a mild vegetable soup will be soothing and quick when you have hungry people to feed.
I truly don’t think that we need to go into Panic Mode about this flu pandemic thing.  I just believe if we are prepared more people will survive and that’s what we all want.

When Dr Joshua Sharfstein took over the FDA as acting commissioner I had mixed feelings.  Would this be another do-nothing appointee?  Well, based on today’s update on all the product recalls and warnings in the past 60 days, I would say he has done quite a bit.

It is worth going through the list to see if you are currently using any of these products.  Some of these have not been posted on the website before.   The one that worries me the most is the Nuby teether.  Most parents don’t pay attention to the name on the pacifier they buy.  Their kids could be unknowingly using one of these. 

The other recall that caught my eye is the one for e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes).  Until this recall, I hadn’t heard of an e-cigarette.  Yet, according to our teenagers, “these are all the rage.”

These are battery-operated devices designed to look like and to be used in the same manner as conventional cigarettes.

“Sold online and in many shopping malls, the devices generally contain cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor, and other chemicals. They turn nicotine, which is highly addictive, and other chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user. “   
 ~ FDA Warns of Health Risks Posed by E-Cigarettes (http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm173401.htm)
 
Reporting Side Effects
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a product and it is on the market, FDA continues to monitor unexpected and undesirable side effects (adverse events) of that product.
Health care professionals and consumers may report side effects, product quality problems, product use errors, or therapeutic failure with the use of medical products to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, by fax, or by phone.
• Online
• Regular Mail: Use postage-paid FDA form 3500 and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.
• Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178
• Phone: 1-800-332-1088
MedWatch reports can signal a safety problem and lead to an FDA action to protect the public from harm, serious illness, or even death.

Recent Safety Alerts

• Recall: Weight-Loss Products
• Recall: Male-Enhancement Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements
• Recall: Infusion Sets Used With Insulin Pumps
• Recall: Stealth Chocolate and Stealth Vanilla Powdered Dietary Supplement
• Recall: Nuby Gel Filled, Cottontails, and Playschool Teethers
• Early Communication on Safety of Xolair
• Warning About Electronic Cigarettes
• Warning About Steroid-Containing Body Building Products

 
Recall: Weight-Loss Products
Four weight-loss dietary supplements marketed by Young You Corporation have been recalled:

• Slimbionic, 30 capsules/box
• One Weight Loss Pill, 30 capsules/bottle
• SlimDemand Capsules, 30 capsules/box
• Botanical Weight Loss, 30 capsules/box
• 
The products were sold and distributed nationwide via the Internet and at the company’s Weight Loss and Rejuvenation Center in Tarzana, Calif.

The risk: FDA laboratories have found that these products contain sibutramine, which is not declared on the label. Sibutramine is an FDA-approved drug used to curb the appetite for weight loss. FDA has not approved the Young You products as drugs; therefore, the safety and effectiveness of these products are unknown.
Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure or pulse rate in some people and may be especially dangerous for people with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias (disorders of heart rate or rhythm), or stroke.

Recommendations
• Destroy these products or return them to Young You at 19590 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA 91356.
• Contact Young You Corporation at 818-344-3344 for more information.
 
Recall: Male-Enhancement Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements
The following dietary supplements marketed by Nature & Health Co. have been recalled:

• LibieXtreme
• Y-4ever
• Libimax X Liquid
• Powermania Liquid and Capsule
• Herbal Disiac
• 
The products were sold in stores in California, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Ohio.

The risk: FDA laboratories have found that these products contain a drug ingredient of FDA-approved drugs for erectile dysfunction. The ingredient is not declared on the label, making these products unapproved drugs.
The undeclared ingredients in these products may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Recommendations
• Stop using these products immediately.
• Contact your health care professional if you have experienced any problems that may be related to taking these products.
• Contact Nature & Health at (714) 671-0016 or at sales@naturenhealth.com for information on returning the products for a refund.

 
Recall: Infusion Sets Used With Insulin Pumps
Quick-set infusion sets made by Medtronic Inc. that are used with MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps have been recalled because the infusion sets may not allow the insulin pump to vent air pressure properly. An infusion set is a thin plastic tube used to deliver insulin from an insulin pump to a person with diabetes.

Affected infusion sets have lot numbers starting with the number “8” and have one of these reference numbers:

• MMT-396
• MMT-397
• MMT-398
• MMT-399
• 
The lot number (for example, 8XXXXXX) is clearly marked on both the product box label and on each individual infusion set package.

The risk: The infusion set may deliver too much or too little insulin and may lead to serious injury or death.

Recommendations
• Stop using “Lot 8” Quick-set infusion sets.
• Return any affected infusion sets to the company, which will replace them at no additional charge. For more information, see Medtronic’s Web page or call Medtronic at 800-345-8139.

 
Recall: Stealth Chocolate and Stealth Vanilla Powdered Dietary Supplement
The powdered dietary supplement, Stealth Chocolate and Stealth Vanilla, has been recalled because it may be contaminated with the bacteria Salmonella. The product, made by Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc., was distributed nationwide, including GNC Distribution Centers and the VPX Sports Distribution Center, as well as internationally.

The powdered product is packaged in 5-pound blue plastic jars with a red band around the top and bottom of the jar. The label bears the brand name of VPX and STEALTH, Muscle Amplification Lean Mass Gainer, and the flavor Vanilla Blast or Chocolate Rush.

The risk: Salmonella can cause serious infections and even death in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Recommendations
• Return the product to the store where you bought it for a refund.
• Call Vital Pharmaceutical Inc. at 800-954-7904 or 954-641-0570 for more information.
 
Recall: Nuby Gel Filled, Cottontails, and Playschool Teethers
Certain teethers made by Luv N’ Care LTD have been recalled because they may contain harmful bacteria in the gel contained in the teether. The teethers affected have the following UPC codes and brand names:

48526-00451 Nuby
48526-00452 Nuby
48526-00453 Nuby
48526-00454 Nuby
48526-00455 Nuby
48526-00459 Nuby
48526-00467 Nuby
48526-00472 Nuby
48526-00473 Nuby
48526-00482 Nuby
48526-00483 Nuby
48526-00487 Nuby
48526-00490 Nuby
48526-00519 Nuby
48526-00521 Nuby
41520-87115 Cottontails
50428-91511 Playschool
41520-91660 Cottontails

The teethers were sold through retail stores nationwide and also on the Internet. They are packaged in a plastic bubble on a printed card.

The risk: The bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circulans) that have been found on the teethers can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea in children with weakened immune systems if the teether is punctured and the liquid from the teether is swallowed.

Recommendations
• Stop using the teethers immediately.
• Throw the teethers out or return them to the store where you bought them for a refund.
• Contact Luv N’ Care LTD at 1-800-256-2399 ext. 3106 for more information.

 
Early Communication on Safety of Xolair
FDA is evaluating safety findings known at this point from an ongoing study of Xolair (omalizumab). Xolair is approved for use by people 12 years of age and older with moderate to severe asthma who react to an airborne allergen year-round and whose symptoms are not controlled well with inhaled corticosteroids.

The risk: These interim findings suggest an increase in adverse events involving the blood vessels of the heart or brain (cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events) in people treated with Xolair compared to another group of people not given the drug.

This type of communication (early communication) is part of FDA’s effort to communicate early with the public when the agency is still evaluating data and has not reached a conclusion.

Recommendations:
• Do not stop taking Xolair without the advice of your health care professional.
• Talk with your health care professional about the risks and benefits described in the prescribing information for Xolair, as well as the new information from the ongoing study, called EXCELS.

 
Warning About Electronic Cigarettes
FDA’s laboratory analysis of electronic cigarette samples found diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze, and cancer-causing substances (carcinogens). Also known as “e-cigarettes,” these battery-operated devices turn nicotine, flavor, and other chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user.

For a full consumer update, see FDA Warns of Health Risks Posed by E-Cigarettes.
 
Warning About Steroid-Containing Body Building Products
FDA has warned the public about potentially serious health risks associated with body building products that claim to contain steroids or steroid-like substances. Although marketed as dietary supplements, they are unapproved new drugs that have not been reviewed by FDA for safety and effectiveness.

For a full consumer update, see Warning on Body Building Products Marketed as Containing Steroids or Steroid-Like Substances.
This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.
Date Posted: August 7, 2009

By Debra Frick
This is a pretty inportant adivisory on taking Tylenol and any other product that contains Acetaminaphen. If you are taking Acetaminaphen on a regular basis you should check with your doctor about the effects this drug may be having on your health.

On June 29 and 30, 2009, FDA will hold an advisory committee meeting in Adelphi, Md., about how to address the problem of liver injury related to the use of acetaminophen in both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products.  For more information about the meeting, visit the Advisory Committee Web page.

For those who have not been following, there has been much controversy around the use of acetaminophen especially for those 55+.  Finally, the FDA is meeting to discuss when it is wise to take acetaminophen and when not.  In its own right, it is not a bad pain reliever.  It’s just been abused.  One caplet is good.  Two must be better.  And would it hurt to take a third a couple of hours later?  Some bodies just can’t take that many.  Or, they are allergic to red dyes.  Or, they have side effects.

Acetaminophen has been used to relieve mild to moderate pain and to reduce fever.  For those allergic to aspirin, have ulcers, or clotting (bleeding) disorders acetaminophen is a viable substitute.  Just not for everyone.

Here are some things to think about.  When deciding if acetaminophen is the right pain reliever for your family.

First be aware of which drugs have acetaminophen in it.  Read the label.  It should say what ingredients are contained within.  Here are the most common products.  It is also found in drops, syrups, capsules, and pills.

•    Tylenol – Over the counter
•    Vicodin – Prescription Drug
•    Percocet – Prescription Drug
•    APAP – Medical abbreviation
•    Paracetamol – name in the United Kingdom

There are many drugs that interact with acetaminophen.
•    alcohol
•    antacids
•    cimetidine
•    medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
•    phenobarbital
•    warfarin
If you have any of these problems or diseases, consider using another pain reliever.
•    anemia
•    an alcohol problem
•    infection
•    kidney disease
•    liver disease
•    phenylketonuria
•    an unusual or allergic reaction to acetaminophen, aspirin, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
•    and one not on the list, it dries out sinuses and eyes.  So contact wearers eyes dry out more quickly.
The signs and symptoms of liver damage take time to appear.  Early symptoms of liver damage (for example, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting) can be mistaken for something else, like the flu. Liver damage can develop into liver failure or death over several days.

Here are some of the side effects that warrant contacting your health care provider:
•    bloody or black, tarry stools
•    decrease in amount of urine passed
•    difficulty breathing, wheezing
•    fever or sore throat
•    nausea, vomiting
•    skin rash
•    stomach cramps
•    unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin
•    unusual tiredness or weakness
•    yellowing of the skin or eyes

Again it is advisable to check with your doctor about all medications you are taking and thier possiable side effects.

This is from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).  There are two brands of pistachios that may be contaminated with Salmonella, both were repacked by Orca Distribution West Inc of Anaheim, CA.  Orca received and repacked pistachios recalled by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., Terra Bella, Calif. 1

•    California Prime Produce

•    Orange County Orchards

These brands were distributed to airports for their kiosksand to hotels.  The pistachios are in clear six ounce plastic Ziploc bags, UPC Number: 8 10826 01116 2, with Sell By Dates of 7/30/09 and 8/30/09.

Because Salmonella is an organism that can easily affect people, its good to know the symptoms.

•    fever
•    diarrhea -may be bloody
•    nausea
•    vomiting
•    abdominal pain

If you have symptoms after eating these pistachios, consult your health practitioner.

For the most updated list of all the recalled products and pistachio products not subject to the recall, please visit:  http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/MajorProductRecalls/Pistachio/default.htm.

1  http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm168574.htm

This is an article that came from the FDA. It is very important that you do as the article says and pass this information to anyone you know that bakes such as girl scout leaders and church youth camp directors.

On June 19, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7 (a bacterium that causes foodborne illness).
What to Do

* Throw away any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products you may have in your home.
* Do not cook the dough because you might get the bacteria on your hands and on other cooking surfaces.
* Contact your health care professional immediately if you or your family have recently eaten the dough and have had stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, with or without bloody stools.
* If you have additional questions about the recalled products, contact Nestle consumer services at 800-559-5025 or visit the company’s Web site.

What Action Has Been Taken?

* Nestle has voluntarily recalled all varieties of prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation by FDA and CDC.
* CDC is conducting an ongoing study with the help of several state and local health departments.

Since March 2009, there have been 66 reports of illness across 28 states. Of 25 people who were hospitalized, 7 have a severe complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. No one has died.
About E. coli O157:H7

* The bacteria cause stomach cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea, often with bloody stools.
* Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week.
* Young children and the elderly are at highest risk for developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, which can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

Safe Food Handling

FDA reminds consumers they should not eat raw food products that are intended for cooking or baking before eating. Use safe food-handling practices when preparing these products, including

* following package directions for cooking at proper temperatures
* washing hands, surfaces, and utensils after contact with these types of products
* avoiding cross-contamination
* refrigerating products properly

Since many people like to eat uncooked cookie dough this can be an extremely bad outbreak for E-Coli. Please keep yourself and your kids safe.

Taking your meds can offen be a confusing and time consuming process. But not taking your meds correctly or on time can have a serious effect on how your meds work. In this article from the FDA you will find tips and tricks for taking your meds on time and getting a better result from the meds that you take all the time.

Medication adherence, or taking medications correctly, is generally defined as the extent to which patients take medication as prescribed by their doctors. This involves factors such as getting prescriptions filled, remembering to take medication on time, and understanding the directions.

Common barriers to medication adherence include

* the inability to pay for medications
* disbelief that the treatment is necessary or helping
* difficulty keeping up with multiple medications and complex dosing schedules
* confusion about how and when to take the medication

Poor adherence can interfere with the ability to treat many diseases, leading to greater complications from the illness and a lower quality of life for patients. Here are some examples of areas in which medication adherence can pose challenges, along with tips for taking medications correctly and talking with health care professionals about your questions and concerns.

Taking Antibiotics

If you feel better and no longer have symptoms, you may think your illness is cured. But if you have a bacterial infection, this can be a dangerous assumption.

If the full course of antibiotics is not taken, a small number of bacteria are likely to still be alive. These surviving germs are likely to have some natural resistance to the antibiotic. As they multiply and spread, a new strain of resistant germs may begin to develop. This may be one way that Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections occur. MRSA is a type of bacteria that’s resistant to certain antibiotics.

It’s important to use antibiotics appropriately and to take the medication exactly as directed.

* Take all doses of the antibiotic, even if the infection is getting better.
* Don’t stop taking the antibiotic unless your doctor tells you to stop.
* Don’t share antibiotics with others.
* Don’t save unfinished antibiotics for another time.

Taking HIV/AIDS Medications

People with HIV/AIDS can have a particularly difficult time taking medications as prescribed, according to Richard Klein, the HIV/AIDS program director for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Special Health Initiatives (OSHI).

Some of the main reasons:

* Multiple drugs may need to be taken at different times, which can be hard to remember.
* The side effects of certain drugs can sometimes make people feel worse instead of better.
* When people feel okay, they may not feel the need to take their drugs. They don’t have the ‘physical reminder’ to take the medications.
* People may not be aware of the risks of drug resistance that can occur if they stop treatment or skip or lower doses.

When you skip doses or stop taking a prescribed medication, you may develop strains of HIV that are resistant to the medications you are taking and even to some medications you haven’t taken yet. This may result in fewer treatment options should you need to change treatment regimens in the future.

FDA has given expedited reviews to several fixed dose combination medications like Atripla (a combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir) and Combivir (a combination of retrovir and epivir) to treat HIV. Fixed dose combination tablets contain two or more anti-HIV medications that can be from one or more drug classes.

“These fixed dose combinations are examples where the constituent drugs were already approved,” says Klein, “but the agency expedited review because the combined formulations simplified dosing, and thus were likely to improve adherence.” A standard drug review time is 10 months, while an expedited review of fixed dose combination tablets is generally completed within 6 months.

Tips for Consumers

Communicate with your health care professional. If medication side effects are bothering you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what you can do to lessen the problem. You might be able to switch to a different medication or your doctor may be able to adjust the timing of your dose. See Tips for Talking with Your Pharmacist.

Make sure you understand how long to take the medication. Some questions to ask when you’re prescribed a new medication are:

* Is it necessary to empty the bottle, or can I stop taking this medication once I feel better?
* Will I need to get a refill, or can I stop treatment when the bottle is empty?

Tell your doctor if paying for prescription drugs is a problem. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a generic medication or offer other suggestions to offset the cost of a drug. Generic drugs use the same active ingredients and are shown to work the same way in the body, but they can cost 30 percent to 80 percent less. Generics also have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts.

You can also shop around your neighborhood or legitimate online pharmacies for the best prices on prescription drugs. For useful information about finding a legitimate online pharmacy, see The Possible Dangers of Buying Medicine Over the Internet.

You can also:

* Check to see whether you are eligible for drug assistance programs in your state.
* Check with the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture your medicines to find out whether you qualify for assistance.

Set daily routines to take medication. It can be helpful to connect taking the medication with normal, daily activities such as eating meals or going to bed. You can also keep backup supplies of your medication at your workplace or in your briefcase or purse.

Keep medications where you’ll notice them. For a medication that should be taken with food, place that medication on the dinner table or TV tray, or wherever you eat on a regular basis. If there are medications you need to take in the morning, put those medications in your bathroom, next to your toothbrush or your deodorant, or something else that you use as part of your morning routine.

Use daily dosing containers. These are available at most pharmacies and allow you to keep medications in compartments that are labeled with the days of the week and various dosage frequencies.

Keep a written or computerized schedule. This can cover the medications you take, how often you take them, and any special directions. Thanks to modern technology, there are a number of devices that have been designed to help patients adhere to a prescribed medication schedule. These include medication reminder pagers and wristwatches, automatic pill dispensers, and even voice-command medication managers. Ask your pharmacist for suggestions as to which particular devices may be helpful for you. FDA offers a form that can be printed out and used for listing all of your medications: www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm079489.htm

Again talking with your Doctor and your Pharmacist is always the best place to get answers. Don’t be afaid to ask they are there to help you and have your health and well being in mind.