With hurricane season in full swing as of June 1, the Red Cross has responded with a small series of hurricane preparedness videos aimed at raising awareness on the importance of preparation. They depict real life families that suffered loss during devastating hurricanes like Hugo in ’89, Andrew in ’92, Katrina in ’05, and Hurricane Ike in 2008.
From a family that experienced the adverse affects of a hurricane firsthand, these final words of wisdom ring true: Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.
Listen up moms (and dads), with flu season just around the corner, it’s important to understand the risks. Every year in the U.S.:
5-20% of the population contract the flu
flu activity usually peaks in late January
approximately 36,000 die from flu-related causes
With the H1N1 outbreak, the risks are even higher.
What is the H1N1 flu?
H1N1 is a new flu strain that consists of 2 genes from viruses that normally appear in pigs, plus avian genes and human genes. It’s highly contagious, because our bodies lack the antibodies to fight it off.
How do you know if you have H1N1?
You will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and H1N1 without medical help. The symptoms are virtually the same: fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose.
How serious is the threat?
The majority of people who have already contracted H1N1, have recovered without needing medical treatment, but hospitalizations and deaths have resulted. As with the seasonal flu, if your condition is extreme you should see a doctor.
What can you do to avoid H1N1?
The same steps you would take for the seasonal flu:
Get a flu shot
Wash your hands often
Avoid touching your mouth and nose
Get adequate sleep, eat nutritious food, and keep physically active
Laugh a little. Some health professionals say it boosts your immune system
Enjoy this 30-second video, courtesy of flu.gov, to boost your immunity a little:
With hurricane season in full swing as of June 1, the Red Cross has responded with a small series of hurricane preparedness videos aimed at raising awareness on the importance of preparation. They depict real life families that suffered loss during devastating hurricanes like Hugo in ’89, Andrew in ’92, Katrina in ’05, and Hurricane Ike in 2008.
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