Better health

By OCD AND LOVIN' IT

January 22, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

My tip? STAY AT HOME AND KEEP IT TO YOURSELF! This is ESPECIALLY for those with kids!!!!! Just because your little snot bags gets sick does not mean we ALL need to be!

Someone I work with came in last week just to announce that she had been throwing up all night from catching something from her kid - then she turned around and went home! Was is even NECESSARY to come into work and get everyone else sick? Now my other co-worker is out today because she has the same thing! At least she was thoughtful enough not to come in to announce it and spread the wealth before turning around and then going home.

And don’t get me wrong, I have come in before with colds when I have had no choice, but if at all possible, I ALWAYS let my boss know what is going on and have them make the call if they want me in or not. It’s really NOT THAT DIFFICULT to do. Unless you work for a complete prick, just tell them how you feel and that you CAN come in, if they don’t mind getting whatever it is you have. 9 out of 10 times, they will tell you to STAY AWAY! Common sense, people. Try it sometime!

By Jones

January 22, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Well, since I have not been sick in over 10 years, let me give you a few tips.

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. Everything you touch has germs on it. This is so important out in the public. I am amazed at the number of women who use a public bathroom, and do not wash their hands afterwards. That’s just gross.

I spray down all hard surfaces at work with Lysol, twice a week. This includes all telephones, door handles, coffee pots, etc.

I agree with sneezing into your upper arm, and not your hand. And please throw your used tissues away.

When you feel a tickle of a cough, or the symptoms of a cold coming on, dose up on Vitamin C. I usually take 2,000mgs a day for a few days when I feel something coming on. Knocks it right out!!!! Yes Virginia there is a cure for the common cold…….

Teach your children to wash their hands often, not just after using the bathroom. Again, I see alot of women with their kids in public bathrooms and they don’t tell their kids to wash their hands. Again, gross.

I use the antibacterial wipes at the grocery store to wipe down the handle of my grocery cart. Just thinking of the numerous babies mouths, and dirty little hands on there………

Wash your hands (or use a hand sanitizer) after you pump gas into your vehicle. How many dirty germy hands have touched that pump before you?

And most important - drink plenty of fluids to flush your system. Water is the best thing you can drink, leave the sodas for when you are feeling better. Or just eliminate them all together and you will stay healthy…….

By Anna

January 22, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Once you shart showing the symptons of a cold, you are no longer infectious. As far as vomiting and what not - yeah keep that at home.

By Anna

January 22, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Oops - I meant once you start…….oh well!

By Doc

January 22, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

That is so not true - you are definitely still contagious when you start to show “symptoms of a cold”. Don’t let your guard down around people who are sneezing, coughing, etc. - this is how the viruses spread to the air, surfaces, and other people. It’s true that you are contagious a few days before you have any symptoms but the period of contagion continues for at least 3 more days to a week after you feel sick.

By Skooch

January 22, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

You are contagious only if you have a fever. If there are germs present, it’s your immune system that will either fight it or succumb, so that’s why you need to stay rested. Also, new studies show that Vitamin C does not ward off a cold. Hand washing, and the old advice of chicken soup, rest and plenty of fluids will help. No “Virginia”, there is no cure for the common cold. Just use sensibility.

By Anne

January 22, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

As an R.N., I’m faced with all the inaccuracies of when you are or are not contagious.

Colds - you are contagious one day before your symptoms start and up to about seven days after. Children are contagious even longer. You’re most contagious earlier in your illness rather than later. Some people can be infected with a cold or flu virus but have no symptoms, and still spread the virus to others.

Stomach viruses - It depends on which virus is causing your stomach flu. The contagious period is slightly different for each virus.

Norovirus is the most common cause of “stomach flu” in adults. You’re contagious from the moment you begin to feel ill and can be contagious for at least three days after you’ve recovered. Some people may be contagious for up to two weeks after recovery. And again, children are often contagious for a longer period of time.

Rotavirus is the leading cause of “stomach flu” in infants and young children. You’re contagious even before you develop symptoms, and you typically remain contagious for two weeks after you’ve recovered.

Flu - You are highly contagious when you have your runny nose and your cough. Often you are not feeling too bad when you have that runny drip of a nose but that is when it spreads quickly around the workplace.

Hope that helps.

By Hellbent

January 22, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

You people kill me. You have all bought into the whole Madison Ave. hype about germs. I hardly ever get sick and guess what, I don’t wash my hands after going to the bathroom (unless I get something on myself). My son has never really been sick and he’s 5! Germs are necessary for a healthy immune system. Why do you think we’re starting to have all of these germs which are resitant to anti-biotics? It’s people like y’all who wash their hands all the time and automatically reach for the Purell at the drop of a hat. You people just need to relax a little. How do you think that we, as a species, survived as long as we did without Purell?

By jm

January 22, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Hellbent - your gross!! And on topic, some of us just have pricks for a boss. I have to literally be unable to walk in order for my boss to allow me to miss work unless it’s scheduled. The guys stay out in the field most days so they don’t care if I’m sick and having to work.

By dude that is gross

January 22, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Dear Hellbent - You don’t wash your hands after going to the bathroom? GROSS. Think it’s time you start to learn, as people like YOU are the reasons everyhone else gets sick! Just ‘cause you don’t get sick, doesn’t mean you’re not spreading your non-handwashing, groin grabbing, nasty germs to everyone else.

Lysol, please????

By Hellbent

January 23, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this

First of all, learn to use a contraction. Poor spelling and grammar are a much worse problem in this country than people not washing their hands. I don’t get sick, that’s the point! Can’t you people read? Germs are nature’s way of keeping us healthy, they cause our immune systems to kick in and do their thing. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid that Madison Ave. is pouring out for you and and you’ll always be getting sick. Don’t be a lemming, think for yourselves!