Comments on: Open Thread: How are you dealing with the threat of swine flu? http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu A fashion and lifestyle blog for women lawyers, bankers, MBAs, consultants, and otherwise overachieving chicks Thu, 24 May 2012 16:08:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Mer http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50425 Mer Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:35:35 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50425 My general point was to refute the misconception that the flu shot can cause you to come down with the flu, which is not true: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm. I didn't mean to imply that the vaccine is 100% effective in every person against the strains in the vaccine--it isn't. But generally the flu vaccine is highly effective unless you are very young or very old, and even in those cases it can still prevent serious complications. My general point was to refute the misconception that the flu shot can cause you to come down with the flu, which is not true: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm. I didn’t mean to imply that the vaccine is 100% effective in every person against the strains in the vaccine–it isn’t. But generally the flu vaccine is highly effective unless you are very young or very old, and even in those cases it can still prevent serious complications.

]]> By: Erin http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50385 Erin Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:29:55 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50385 I posted below that when I'm expected to shake hands, I fib and say that *I* have a little cold and I don't want to get the other person sick. Works like a charm. I posted below that when I’m expected to shake hands, I fib and say that *I* have a little cold and I don’t want to get the other person sick. Works like a charm.

]]> By: Erin http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50384 Erin Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:28:47 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50384 Oh, and if I am in a situation where I'm expected to shake hands but it strikes me that the person maybe is not healthy or totally hygenic, I fib and say that *I* have a cold and I'm sorry but I'm sure he'd prefer I don't shake his hand. Oh, and if I am in a situation where I’m expected to shake hands but it strikes me that the person maybe is not healthy or totally hygenic, I fib and say that *I* have a cold and I’m sorry but I’m sure he’d prefer I don’t shake his hand.

]]> By: Erin http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50383 Erin Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:26:52 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50383 I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu, but I'd probably get it if I were in a risk group (pregnant, immune disorder, elderly, etc). Same goes for the H1N1 vaccine, which isn't even available for the general population yet in my city. I'm always vigilant about handwashing (20+ seconds of scrubbing with soap and rinse with hot water), and I carry hand sanitizer and use it each time I get off public transportation, push elevator buttons or use a pen in a public place like a doctor's office or bank. I'm also vigilant about never touching my face unless I've washed my hands since the last time I touched anything that's not personally mine - flu is transmitted by respiratory droplets that one person exhales and another inhales, so even if you get flu virus on your hands after touching a surface that a flu sufferor touched, if you don't touch your mouth/nose you won't get the flu. I also wash my hands first thing when I get to my office or get to my apartment. And frankly, everyone should have the handwashing habits I described even when it's not flu season. I also use nasal irrigation (i.e. a Neti pot) at least once every two days and I gargle with salt water, which helps with congestion and supposedly can flush out bacteria or viruses lurking in your nose or throat before they begin to make you sick. I’ve never had a flu shot and I’ve never had the flu, but I’d probably get it if I were in a risk group (pregnant, immune disorder, elderly, etc). Same goes for the H1N1 vaccine, which isn’t even available for the general population yet in my city. I’m always vigilant about handwashing (20+ seconds of scrubbing with soap and rinse with hot water), and I carry hand sanitizer and use it each time I get off public transportation, push elevator buttons or use a pen in a public place like a doctor’s office or bank. I’m also vigilant about never touching my face unless I’ve washed my hands since the last time I touched anything that’s not personally mine – flu is transmitted by respiratory droplets that one person exhales and another inhales, so even if you get flu virus on your hands after touching a surface that a flu sufferor touched, if you don’t touch your mouth/nose you won’t get the flu. I also wash my hands first thing when I get to my office or get to my apartment.

And frankly, everyone should have the handwashing habits I described even when it’s not flu season.

I also use nasal irrigation (i.e. a Neti pot) at least once every two days and I gargle with salt water, which helps with congestion and supposedly can flush out bacteria or viruses lurking in your nose or throat before they begin to make you sick.

]]> By: Sarah http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50320 Sarah Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:14:53 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50320 Thank you Arden! I was just wondering that when I read the note above about avoiding hand shaking. It's an awkward situation but I'll give that a try. Thank you Arden! I was just wondering that when I read the note above about avoiding hand shaking. It’s an awkward situation but I’ll give that a try.

]]> By: Sarah http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50319 Sarah Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:12:15 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50319 That isn't exactly true. The flu shot is a small dose of the flu--although as I understand it (and health professionals please chime in here) is that the strain may be a dead virus. But some people do come down with the flu afterward. However, I believe after their illness they are immune from that particular strain. That isn’t exactly true. The flu shot is a small dose of the flu–although as I understand it (and health professionals please chime in here) is that the strain may be a dead virus. But some people do come down with the flu afterward. However, I believe after their illness they are immune from that particular strain.

]]> By: Erica Foley http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50318 Erica Foley Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:10:21 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50318 Folks, for heaven's sake get the shot. I got a case of the flu (real flu, not just a bad cold) when I was 23 and I still remember... *coughcough* years later... just how horrible it was. Repeating the mantra "I haven't had it before" is not going to save you if you do get infected, and this is looking to be a bad one. Seriously, in this economy do you REALLY want to be suddenly missing 10-14 days of work - even with the doctor's note? As far as trying to avoid it? Well, in my case I have three kids, so I basically don't have a chance :) Folks, for heaven’s sake get the shot. I got a case of the flu (real flu, not just a bad cold) when I was 23 and I still remember… *coughcough* years later… just how horrible it was. Repeating the mantra “I haven’t had it before” is not going to save you if you do get infected, and this is looking to be a bad one.

Seriously, in this economy do you REALLY want to be suddenly missing 10-14 days of work – even with the doctor’s note?

As far as trying to avoid it? Well, in my case I have three kids, so I basically don’t have a chance :)

]]> By: Karen http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50311 Karen Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:04:58 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50311 I work for the government and yes, I trust scientists but not the government. Sorry, I see way to much crap firsthand. I don't want to get the shot. I've never gotten the flu--except the one year I got a flu shot. So I'm passing on that. I work for the government and yes, I trust scientists but not the government. Sorry, I see way to much crap firsthand. I don’t want to get the shot. I’ve never gotten the flu–except the one year I got a flu shot. So I’m passing on that.

]]> By: Arden Clise http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50024 Arden Clise Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:14:08 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50024 All really good comments. As a business etiquette consultant I can offer advice on how to avoid shaking hands if you are afraid of germs or know you can’t wash your hand right away. It is acceptable in this epidemic environment to raise your right hand and enthusiastically say "Hello Jane, great to see you." then put it down, rather than shaking Jane's hand. To protect myself, I do get a flu shot every year and have never gotten the flu since getting them. After reading what everyone wrote I think I will get the H1N1 vaccine. As a business owner I can't afford to be out of commission. Another thing you can do to support your immune system is to take Vitamin D. Many people are deficient in it especially those who live in the northern hemispheres where sun is in short supply in the winter. That has made a huge difference for me and my husband who used to get sick all the time. Good health to you all. All really good comments. As a business etiquette consultant I can offer advice on how to avoid shaking hands if you are afraid of germs or know you can’t wash your hand right away. It is acceptable in this epidemic environment to raise your right hand and enthusiastically say “Hello Jane, great to see you.” then put it down, rather than shaking Jane’s hand.

To protect myself, I do get a flu shot every year and have never gotten the flu since getting them. After reading what everyone wrote I think I will get the H1N1 vaccine. As a business owner I can’t afford to be out of commission.

Another thing you can do to support your immune system is to take Vitamin D. Many people are deficient in it especially those who live in the northern hemispheres where sun is in short supply in the winter. That has made a huge difference for me and my husband who used to get sick all the time.

Good health to you all.

]]> By: Emily http://corporette.com/2009/10/19/open-thread-how-are-you-dealing-with-the-threat-of-swine-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-50016 Emily Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:48:49 +0000 http://corporette.com/?p=5793#comment-50016 I just got back from the free H1N1 vaccine clinic at my local health department. My two sisters and I got there two hours early with our six young children (and one newborn baby, who stayed a safe distance away). There were 2,000 doses available, and we were among the first 20 or so people in line. By the time they started the clinic, the line went around the block - way more than 2000 people. I wonder how it is that some places get plenty of the vaccine, while other areas don't get enough or at all. Anybody know how this works? It seems insane! Anyway, according to the guidelines our health department set out, our children were eligible to get it, and we grown ups could because we care for the newborn and one of my sisters is pregnant. Because of my close contact with people at high risk, I wouldn't dream of not getting the vaccine. I am going to rest much easier knowing my family is protected. Incidentally, this summer my 1-year-old picked up pertussis (whooping cough) - she was up to date on her vaccinations, but had not yet received the last shot in the series. Whooping cough is highly contagious, and she passed it on to the rest of the family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents - in addition to parents and siblings). Did you konw that the whooping cough vaccine wears off, but you can get a booster? Fortunately, everybody was fine, but if my daughter was a bit younger, this could have been a potentially fatal illness for her. Take advantage of the miracle of modern medicine! I just got back from the free H1N1 vaccine clinic at my local health department. My two sisters and I got there two hours early with our six young children (and one newborn baby, who stayed a safe distance away). There were 2,000 doses available, and we were among the first 20 or so people in line. By the time they started the clinic, the line went around the block – way more than 2000 people. I wonder how it is that some places get plenty of the vaccine, while other areas don’t get enough or at all. Anybody know how this works? It seems insane!

Anyway, according to the guidelines our health department set out, our children were eligible to get it, and we grown ups could because we care for the newborn and one of my sisters is pregnant. Because of my close contact with people at high risk, I wouldn’t dream of not getting the vaccine. I am going to rest much easier knowing my family is protected.

Incidentally, this summer my 1-year-old picked up pertussis (whooping cough) – she was up to date on her vaccinations, but had not yet received the last shot in the series. Whooping cough is highly contagious, and she passed it on to the rest of the family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents – in addition to parents and siblings). Did you konw that the whooping cough vaccine wears off, but you can get a booster? Fortunately, everybody was fine, but if my daughter was a bit younger, this could have been a potentially fatal illness for her. Take advantage of the miracle of modern medicine!

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