Flu Emergency

SYMPTOMS

 Governor Cuomo has declared a health emergency in New York State. This gives pharmacists the authorization to provide the flu shot to more people. Have you gotten your flu shot? It can prevent you from getting the flu- which is NO JOKE this year people!

Almost 20-THOUSAND people have reported getting it in New York so far this year.

The CDC says there are 3 steps you can take to FIGHT THE FLU:

1. Get the flu vaccine!
2. Take everyday prevention steps
3. If you get it... take antiviral prescription medications

For more detailed reasons how each of those three steps helps click HERE.


For more information on the Flu Emergency in New York State please click HERE.

Please GET YOUR FLU SHOT

Strep

I'll save you the gross images that I found on-line. It hit my home on Thursday, maybe even Wednesday now that I think of it. My daughter complained of a sore throat and I gave her some Tylenol and we went about our activities. She really didn't have a fever or showed signs of being lethargic- just a sore throat. She mentioned one of her best buddies at school had it and it made me think in the back of my mind- I hope she doesn't get it.

She woke up Thursday sounding like she had marbles in her throat. The appointment was made right away. The P.A. said "Open widdd.... Oh WOW!" with a giggle. "Yeah, see those red, vainy things... you know a lot of us think of those white spots as strep but those red things are the tale tale sign. If I had to bet this is a case of strep."

She proceeded to stick that swab down my daughters throat, inducing the gag reflex before pulling it out to go test it. "I'll be back in 7 minutes." She was back in less than 3! "Yep! I looked at it at 2 minutes and it already turned. I'm sure it turned before a minute!"

So off we went to go get waffles while the prescription was filled and Mommy went about planning a mom and daughter sick day for Friday. God love antibiotics! She woke up feeling relief- not totally well but better than before. All my plans for Friday out the door. I can't say I was disappointed- really at the end of the day- everything I do is for my children. It felt good to be there and help her get better.

Does Your Doctor Ask This?

Does your doctor ask if you exercise? I can't remember if mine does. Hmmm. I want to say no but something in me tells me at my last physical they noticed my weight loss and might have been prompted by that- but I don't think it's routine. Sadly my doctor is also dangerously way out of the healthy weight category and I suspect as a physician he may not make it much of a focus that I'm taking healthy steps--- if he's not.

Well, apparently doctors in one of the nation's largest health insurance plans are being encouraged to do that. Kaiser Permanente is asking it's doctors to ask patients if they exercise. Their reasoning is that if a patients vital signs are not in the healthy category they can suggest they get some exercise, lower their weight and cut down on the need for health services that unhealthy people need.

Do you think this is a good idea? A part of me thinks so. Then I also think about what they are doing with that information. Are they soon going to come up with a penalty or higher premium for people who don't exercise? What do you think? Weigh in.