5 Ways to Manage the Family's Swine Flu

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What about taking vitamins? Does anyone have any comments or ideas on weather taking vitamins would help children and adults reduce the likelyhood that they will get sick? If so what kind: multi, vit. c,...?

Anne of IL 10:44AM July 30, 2009

I've stocked up on staples; we'll be able to live for weeks on pasta if need be. I haven't forgotten the previous HHS secretary, Mike Leavitt, advising us all to have canned tuna stashed under the bed for pandemic flu or another emergency.
Tuna, and toilet paper, too! And some cookies and dark chocolate. And movies. Self-quarantine might be fun. The CDC now recommends that a sick person stay home for at least a week, but that week doesn't have to be all grim.
What would you put on your self-quarantine shopping list? Share with us!

Nancy Shute of DC 12:00PM May 06, 2009

Wiping door handles and wash basin handles with germ free wipes and keep that chicken soup on hand. I also recommend to boost your immune system, garlic and parsely in gel (2 tabs with each meal) and tea. I make friendship tea: 2/3 cup lemon ice tea mix, 1/3 c tang or sugar free orange and 1-2 teaspoons of cinnemon.
Mix and store in a covered jar and take 1-2 teaspoons in cup of boiling water.
Peace, Carol Zarek

Carol Zarek of CA 10:04PM May 04, 2009

How strangely comforting: being told I SHOULD worry! After all, I'm already worried.
I'm so sick and tired of people saying "Don't worry" when something truly worrisome is happening!
But I do think Sandman and Shute should be ready to spend more than a week at home, or at least not have to shop for food within a week.
What if a bad pandemic comes and the supermarkets are depleted, or even closed? I'd rather make like a Mormon and get enough food for weeks and weeks and weeks! It isn't like it will go to waste.

Happy Worrier of TX 5:52PM May 01, 2009

Thank you for a sensible and thoughtful article. Parents of kids with asthma deal with these concerns on a regular basis but with H1N1, we're even more sensitized. Symptoms of asthma often mask the underlying trigger; one child's sniffle is our kid's asthma attack that lasts for weeks, not days. The most important step parents of kids can take is a the first sign of a cold or flu, start using asthma medications agressively. Do not wait for the attack to become severe before treating. We can weather this storm, like you said, if we prepare. Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics has specific information for parents of children with asthma at www.aanma.org.

Nancy Sander of VA 4:27PM May 01, 2009