The WELLalarm Blog

WELLtip: Five simple precautions to protect your family from the swine flu!

The WHO raised their swine fly pandemic alert level to stage 5 yesterday. According to the WHO website, “the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.” http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html

How can you prepare your family for the threat of swine flu? Unfortunately, at this point, there is no vaccine you can have them take but there are a few simple percussions you can take to help keep them healthy. They seem simple, but they are still the best methods available to keep your loved ones well!

1. Wash their hands Frequently with soap and water! Alcohol based cleansers, like Purell, work well too!

2. Cover their nose and mouth when they cough and sneeze -make sure they through away tissues immediately after use!

3. Avoid crowds. Stay away from people they suspect are sick!

4. If they are not feeling well, make sure they stay home from work and/or school!

5. Make sure you are fully prepared if a pandemic were to hit. If a pandemic were to hit, basic services could easily be disrupted including food delivery. Being prepared is could help to save the life of your family! 

Learn more about how to prepare for an emergency

WELLtip: Checklist: 6 Top Health Checkups

Spring is a great time to take a moment and make sure you are getting the checkups you need to maintain your wellness!

1. Annual wellness visit: hopefully your insurance covers you for an annual checkup with your family doctor. Prepare ahead of time by writing down any questions or concerns you have.
2. Dental exam: most adults and children should see their dentist for a cleaning and checkup once every six months!
3. Mammogram: the National Cancer Institute recommends women 40 and over get a mammogram screening once every 1 to 2 years. Women who are at risk for cancer should talk with their doctor about screening before 40.
4. Colorectal screening: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends adults 50 and over of average risk for colon cancer get screened once a year.
5. Gynecological exam: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that Pap smear testing begin within three years of sexual intercourse, or by age 21. After that, annual pap smears should continue until age 30, when healthy women with three consecutive normal Pap smears may reduce tests to every two or three years, at the advice of their gynecologist.
6. Eye exam: children should have their first eye exam before the first grade! How often you or your child has an eye exam depends on your health and your family history. Talk with your doctor about your vision during your annual wellness exam. You can read the Mayo Clinic's recommendations here. 

As with all content on this blog unless specifically noted, this post was developed based on our own expertise and extensive research utilizing sources including the Mayo Clinic, ACOG, and National Cancer Institute. It is a supplement not a replacement for the advice of your doctor. Remember, communication is the KEY. Never hesitate to contact your doctor with any questions!

WELLtip: 25 Essentials Items For Your Emergency First Aid Kit

Do you have a first aid kit handy for emergencies? Does yours consist of more than a box of bandages and some dusty cotton balls? Here is a list of what everyone should have in their first aid kit! The American Red Cross recommends you have the following items in each first aid kit--that means one at home and one in each car.

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
• 1 blanket (space blanket)
• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 pair of non latex gloves (size: large)
• 2 hydro cortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
• Scissors
• 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non glass)
• 2 triangular bandages
• Tweezers
• First aid instruction booklet
• Personal items emergency phone numbers (print out from your WELLalarm account!)
• Flashlight with working batteries (check regularly)

The Department of Homeland Security suggests adding the following items as well:

• Burn ointment to prevent infection.
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminate.
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Be sure to read your first aid instruction booklet soon after purchasing it--don't wait until you are in the midst of an emergency to consult it.

Note that the list does not contain ipecac. According to Kids Health.com, this is no longer recommended in case of poisoning. Instead, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 or 911.

* As with all content on this blog unless specifically noted, this post was developed based on our own expertise and extensive research utilizing sources including the American Red Cross, Department of Homeland Secuirity, and Kidshealth.com. It is a supplement not a replacement for the advice of your doctor. Remember, communication is the KEY. Never hesitate to contact your doctor with any questions!