Wrapping Our Sneezes in Tissue Is One of the Best Gifts We Can Give to Our Fellow Man and Woman

Ecoleaf Recycled Facial Tissues are BUAV and Vegan Society-approved as well as biodegradeable and come in fully recycled packaging. They are available at Ethical Superstore. http://www.bit.ly/2i415HQ

BY VW

SOME advice is so old, so tried-and-true. So ingrained in our psyches that it is buried; we tend to forget it because it is covered over by other good advice.

One such is to cover our mouths when we yawn, cough, sneeze. Everybody knows what to do, except everybody doesn't know what to do, except everybody doesn't do it.

But winter and cold and flu season comes around like clockwork and we need gentle reminders to keep a tight leash on our germs, lest they infect others.

Do cover your mouth when you sneeze, preferably with a tissue. Archive photo.

To help, some folks at the Texas A&M Health Science Center undertook an experiment using dye to determine the best way to keep as many germs at bay as possible when sneezing. Do watch the video to see graphic illustrations.

Of course the worst, which should go without saying but won't, is to sneeze without covering your mouth. It's gross, it's ill- mannered and inconsiderate and it gives germs carte blanche to travel hither and yon, spreading illness.

The vampire sneeze has its merits and demerits. Archive photo.

Covering your mouth with your hand(s) is markedly better than hands-free but still gives germs to much free reign. Then your hands go on to touch this, that and the other.

Placing your nose and mouth at the crook of your elbow and sneezing into your sleeve, resulting in a Count Dracula-like pose, is significantly better. Alas, germs are now living high on the hog; that is, on your sleeve. But as the experimenters point out, far fewer people will come into contact with your sleeve than with your hand.

At press time, Brooks Brothers Pure Cotton Handkerchiefs (package of seven) are marked down to $26.95 (from $35.) http://www.bit.ly/2iAoaD1

By far the best way to handle the errant germs is to sneeze into a tissue and throw it away immediately.

Do note that a handkerchief can serve the same purpose as a tissue. However, it would have to be folded and stored in a secure location until it can be laundered. In the end, then, the tissue is the best option.

Hitchoooooo!!!!!

Do What You Need to Do Before Flu Gets You

The nasal spray flu vaccine was designed to treat seasonal outbreaks of the virus. Photo by James Gathany/CDC.

WHAT’S to be done about the flu?

Flu season. It’s on and in the United States at near epidemic levels in early 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The agency has created a weekly map called "Flu View" that shows the progression of reported cases of flu, dating from October 2012. Red, rust and orange mean high levels; lime to kelly green signifies minimal levels. Visit the following link to see the weekly flu reports, http://www.1.usa.gov/9N0L14).

The map shows the U.S. flu report for the week ending 5 Jan. 2013. Image from CDC.

Flu aka influenza is the highly contagious virus with myriad symptoms, from fever to fatigue. Yours Truly can attest to this. Flu customarily attacks the respiratory system – lungs, nose, throat, so sufferers can expect breathing difficulties. It’s no surprise that those who have asthma will have a devil of a time with the flu.

The flu can be mild to murderous, and it can be especially merciless to the young, old and infirm. (See CDC video below of families sharing lost of children from the virus.)

What to do, then, about the flu. While there is not yet a cure, there are measures that can offset some of the effects of the flu. Three simple prescriptions from the CDC.

1. Get a flu vaccine, though there is a shortage in some places.
Still give it a try. That goes double for high risk, i.e, aforementioned, plus pregnant women.

2. Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.
Three quickies. Try to avoid sick people; cover the nose and mouth with a tissue if the need to cough or sneeze arises; wash hands with soap and water.

Take care to cover both nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. Photo from CDC.

3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
These drugs can lessen the severity of the virus. Incidentally, they are only legitimately available by prescription, so don’t show up at CVS without one.

Be in good health.

Visit http://www.cdc.gov/features/fluactivity/ and http://www.cdc.gov/flu to learn more about the flu and steps to take to against it.