Ready for Your Flu Shot

The CDC recommends a flu vaccination annually. This is the most important step in protecting yourself against seasonal flu. Every year, a new vaccine is developed to protect against the 3 main flu viruses researchers believe will be the most common. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, health care workers, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart and lung disease, and people 65 and older.

The flu vaccine also is very important people who live with or care for people at high risk. This vaccine will not protect against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. That will require a separate vaccination. Source: CDC

Is it Strep or Just a Sore Throat

Strep throat is caused by steplococal (strep) bacteria that infects your throat and tonsils. There are several different types of strep, some of which can be life-threatening. Here are some signs.symptoms of strep throat:

* A severely sore throat * Swollen tonsils and/or lymph nodes

* Painful swallowing * Fever in excess of 101 F

* A red throat with white or yellow spots

Strep is highly infectious and easily passed from one person to another. Your physician will do an exam and probably a rapid strep test to determine if you have strep throat, If the rapid strep test comes up negative, but your symptoms still appear to be strep, your doctor may grow a culture of the bacteria. If the culture is positive, your doctor will most likely treat it with antibiotics. A sore throat can mimic the signs of strep and have many of the same symptoms. Sore throats are usually caused by a virus and in most cases pose minimal risk.

Viruses are also infectious and can be passed from person to person. Sore throats accompanied by sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose, are usually not strep. Sore throats can generally be treated with over-the-counter medications and home treatments to help ease the discomfort. For a sore throat, sooth your discomfort by increasing fluid intake, gargling with warm salt water, and drinking a mixture of honey and lemon in hot water. Source: WebMD

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VISION – The main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance but to do what lies clearly at hand. Thomas Carlyle

Cooler Weather Means an Increased Risk of Home Fires Annually, thousands of Americans lose their lives to fires, flames and smoke, according to the NSC. Exposure to fire, flame and smoke is the 6^th leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. The potential for home fire increases as temperatures drop. The winter months account for the most fire deaths, especially during the holidays.

Installing a smoke alarm is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family. FEMA says a working smoke alarms decreases your chances of dying in a fire by 50%. Test and clean your smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries annually. Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years. A few more tips:

· Keep an eye on the location of portable heaters they start fires

· Keep combustibles a safe distance away from fireplaces

· Do not let candles burn unattended

· Be sure not to overload extension cords

· Buy an extinguisher for the house and keep it charged up

· Make sure heating pads and blankets are in good condition or replace them

Source: National Safety Council