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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 17, 2009)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, September 17, 2009 To Your Health! What do you know about water? By Judy Hargis, P.A., and Audeen Wagner SWINE FLU We’re hearing news every day about Swine Flu – or H1N1 (“swine flu” and “H1N1” seem to be used interchangeably). We’re all concerned about what will happen this fall and winter with this new flu threatening us. Heidi Brown, Vernonia’s School Nurse, suggests websites such as the CDC for accurate and helpful information based on scien- tific study and latest guidelines. Admittedly, it is a guessing game as to exactly what will transpire, in terms of numbers and severity. They do use the word “pandemic” though, which suggests that it is world-wide in scope and is quickly spread from “human to hu- man.” Before school started, Heidi attended a county-wide meeting with other school nurses to dis- cuss the H1N1 virus, and she will be working with the schools, and sharing new information. The CDC reports that the symptoms of H1N1 are very similar to those of the flu that we see every year: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Many people who have been infect- ed with the new H1N1 virus also have diarrhea and vomiting. Keep in mind that in the vast majority of cases, it is expected that most people infected with H1N1 will get well without medical care. If you are infected with Swine Flu, you may be sick for a week or more; during this time it is important for you to avoid contact with others as much as possible for 24 hours after the fever is gone. And, seek medical care if symptoms worsen – for more severe infections, there are antiviral prescription med- ications available. (We are cautioned NOT to use aspirin or aspirin-containing products in patients under 18 years, due to the risk of Reye’s Syndrome, instead use Tylenol, Advil or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.) Prevention: Be very careful with personal hygiene. Most important is to wash your hands often, using thorough hand-washing techniques. This is not just rinsing your hands under the faucet – use hot water and soap, and continue washing for 15 seconds or longer. (If soap and water are not read- ily available, use one of the many alcohol-based hand cleaners, such as Purell, available at many supermarkets and all pharmacies.) And make sure to cover any cough or sneeze: use a tissue and discard it immediately, and wash your hands afterwards. (A good tip from Heidi: If a tissue or han- kerchief is not available, sneeze or cough into your sleeve – the cloth in your sleeve will help pre- vent the virus from spreading.) All this may sound pretty nitpicky, but it is the first thing any health professional tells you – “wash often and cover your cough.” It is the first line of defense in contact- ing the disease and/or spreading it. Vaccine? Reports vary, but, says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, “it will likely be Thanksgiving before a significant number of Americans who get the swine flu vaccine are protected.” Clinical trials are underway now, and it is expected that the first 50 million doses will be available by mid-October. People in the high risk group – school children, pregnant women, and peo- ple of any age with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease – will like- ly be first in line to receive the vaccine. What’s happening locally? The Vernonia School District has sent a letter to every school family stressing the school’s concern and activities in facing the issue of a potential outbreak of this flu in local schools. Dating back to last year, the school staff has stepped up its efforts to sanitize all sur- faces in all buildings, and will continue to do so on a daily basis; and teachers and staff will contin- ue to oversee careful hand- washing several times a day. The letter outlines CDC sug- gestions for families caring for family members with Swine Enjoy a quiet weekend with us. Please see page 22 VERNONIA INN FULL SIZE, IN ROOM HOT TUBS Queen Beds • Private Bath • Separate Entrance Cable TV • Phones • Handicapped Access • Commercial Rates FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1-800-354-9494 / 503-429-4006 Gift Certificates Available 900 MADISON AVE., VERNONIA, OR 97064 Just one block off scenic Nehalem River Hwy. (Oregon 47) Did you know that water makes up about 70 percent of the human body? Water plays a vital role in physical health: • Water is an important part of regulating body temperature; it helps cool you down when you need it most. When your body heats up, water in the sur- rounding tissue absorbs the heat, which is released through perspiration. • Water helps dissolve chemical compounds in the body, and many chemical reac- tions occur in water in our body. Water also moves waste prod- ucts and toxins from the body. • Water helps lubricate the eyes, mouth, nose, knees and other joints. Most people can meet their daily hydration needs by letting thirst be their guide. However, it is important to note that the thirst signal is not always reli- able. Infants, the elderly, and those who are ill may need to be offered water often. Not get- ting enough water leads to pro- gressively uncomfortable sen- sations; loss of appetite, slowed movement, crankiness and fatigue, nausea, head- aches, increased heartbeat, dizziness, and difficulty speak- ing. Dehydration can be fatal. Drink water when you fee thirsty. Drink more when you are more active and when the weather is warmer. To help fit fluids in: keep water available and in sight; eat plenty of fruits and vegetables throughout the day; and watch alcohol and beverages with high amounts of caffeine, such as coffee and some energy drinks – they can contribute to dehydration. Source: Anne Hoisington. OSU Extension Food and Nutrition, Se- nior Instructor Free presentation on sweeteners A 90-minute Evening Chat on Sweeteners will be held on Thursday, September 24, start- ing at 6:00 p.m. at the Tuality Health Education Center, 334 SE 8th Ave., Hillsboro. The world of sweeteners has grown significantly in the past few years. Are they safe? How much is too much? How about just using sugar? What about high fructose corn syrup? Learn the pros and cons of the various sweeteners (even sam- ple some) at this free presenta- tion. Please call 503-681-1700 if you plan to attend. September is Nat’l Recovery Month As part of September’s Na- tional Alcohol and Drug Addic- tion Recovery Month, the Ore- gon Department of Human Ser- vices calls on friends, family and community members to educate themselves and sup- port those with addiction prob- lems and those in recovery from addictions. “Oregon Governor Ted Ku- longoski has issued a procla- mation recognizing September as Recovery Month here in Oregon,” says Karen Wheeler, the addictions policy manager at DHS. “Now is the time to cel- ebrate and educate. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition requiring life-long management but treatment works and recov- ery is possible.” In Oregon, nearly 260,000 adults and adolescents are in need of critical services to bat- tle alcohol and drug addictions. Recovery Month is part of a na- tional effort to raise awareness about the benefits of treatment, praise treatment providers for their work, reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with addiction and promote the message that with treatment, recovery is possible. The 2009 theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Learn, Together We Heal,” emphasizes the need to use all resources to educate people about the disease of addiction, seek help and heal. This is the 20th anniversary of National Recovery Month. Patty Katz, a former addict, says, “I lost my child, my fami- ly, my health and my freedom to drugs and alcohol. Some said there was no hope for me, but with the help of some very caring people I found my way back, got treatment and saved my life. If I can do it anyone can.” If you would like to locate al- cohol or other drug treatment providers visit: www.oregon. gov/DHS/addiction/publica tions/provider-directory.pdf