How Can I Prevent The Flu, Colds, and Minimize My Allergies This Fall and Winter? 5 Effective Tips!

This article is all about answering the question 'how can I prevent the flu, colds, minimize allergies this Fall & Winter?'. Here are 5 specific things you can do to minimize your chance of getting the flu, a cold, and significantly reduce any allergy or asthma symptoms:

Get Some Sunlight: It's a proven fact that sunlight boosts your body's immune system and overall strength. So, when sunny days come along, even if it's cold outside, get 15 minutes of sunlight, rake the leaves, etc. The fresh air will be good, too, as it will contain natural ozone which destroys bacteria, viruses, etc.

Vitamin C: Get some time-released Vitamin C and take at least 1000 units / day. If it bothers your stomach, try Ester-C, which is buffered and more gentle on your digestive system. Vitamin C essentially makes it harder for viruses to get into our cells and gives the immune system an overall boost.

Consider Essential Oils: Essential oils have been used for centuries to treat and prevent illness. Some oils such as cinnamon, clove, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary oils were used during the Black Plague and actually enabled people to be exposed to such a powerful illness without getting sick! A company called Young Living sells a product called 'Thieves' just for this purpose. Or, you can visit your local health food store and get the oils there.

Clean Up Your Indoor Air: As we move into Fall and Winter, we are simply spending more time indoors where more bacteria, mold spores, dust, dust mites, pet dander, etc. are all floating around, and consequently we are getting repeated and larger doses of these contaminants. Later, as people come in contact with each other, they transfer bacteria, viruses, etc, and now a cold or illness seems to be 'going around'. My point here is this: if we minimize the amount of these agents floating around in our homes, offices, schools, there would be far less chance for someone to 'catch something' in the first place, and then less transfer to other people. A great way to do that is with a high-quality, true HEPA air purifier, which will remove 99.97% or more of the airborne particles that cause a lot of allergy and asthma flare-ups. You'll probably sleep better, as well.

Do not choose 'HEPA-type' purifiers as they only remove 50-60% of contaminants. If you see a HEPA air purifier that also uses healthy negative ions (preferably Hydroxyl (OH) ions, not ozone), those purifiers are even more effective as they the negative ions destroy bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and some chemicals. Some air purifiers use UV light, which is very good for destroying the DNA of bacteria, mold spores, viruses so that they cannot replicate / multiply--which, again, helps prevent the spread of illness.

Consider a Dehumidifier: Why a dehumidifier? Well, with the increased moisture outside during the Fall /Winter, there's often increased moisture inside, as well. And when we get to around 70-80% humidity inside, that creates perfect conditions for bacteria and mold to thrive and multiply. A dehumidifier will allow to easily control humidity by removing moisture.

Note: Moisture can accumulate inside by getting through cracks around the roof, loose shingles, windows, or gutters that are full of debris or don't drain properly. All it takes for a gutter to allow water to run underneath the edge of the roof is to not have enough flashing or shingle hanging over into the gutter so the water stays in the gutter itself. I know-I had a gutter situation at my house and that is what caused a mold problem in my attic! If you have a basement that tends to get a little wet during weather from leaks in the wall or seepage in /around the foundation, etc, you have a chance for higher than normal indoor humidity, as well.

To check your humidity, simply go to Walmart and look for a cheap thermometer or an electronic unit that has temperature and humidity functions-should be around $8-17. Test several areas of your home-attic, bedrooms, basement, etc. If you have higher humidity in one area, it will affect the other areas so be prepared to get a dehumidifier for the affected area, and investigate to see why that area has more humidity (i.e. leaks, etc)

I hope this information helps you stay well this Fall and Winter season. For more information on quality HEPA air purifiers and dehumidifiers, air quality test kits, and more, check out the author box below.

About The Author: Rex Murphy is an avid health enthusiast, former martial arts instructor, and owner of The HEPA Air Purifier Store http://www.hepaairpurifierstore.com/
Twitter: @HepaAirPur

Rex is also a musician, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Med Studies/Psychology, as well as many years of study in natural healing methods.

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How Do Drug Screens Affect Clinic Treatment?

There are several different kinds of drug screen kits available for clinic use that do not involve blood tests, and they range from a urine drug screen to the non-invasive saliva testing. The majority of people may say that the saliva test is the easiest to pass, but that is not actually true. The saliva tests are just as sensitive as the urine tests.

The clinics can use these methods to determine if the patient is on drugs. The faster the doctor can find this out, the faster the patient can be treated correctly with a higher chance of survival. The non-urine based tests can be the best tool used in emergency situations, because the patient may not be able to produce urine, but can still be tested and treated, also preventing the doctor from giving a medication that may potentially produce a fatal reaction to the drugs in the system. It is an innovative process in testing technology for clinic use that is available and newer, better tests are always coming. Although these newer tests are becoming popular in use, the urine drug screen test is not going anywhere anytime soon because it is accurate, convenient and permissible in courtrooms.

Some of the current types available are different than the ones used just a few years ago, but are proving reliable and time-saving. Following are a few types of tests that are on the market with a brief description of each.

There is a drug testing cup that tests for 5 different types of drugs and the metabolites in the urine. There is no equipment needed to use this method, and there is no urine handling that increases the chances of an inaccurate result.

The next type is also for urine and this one is a screening and urine collection area in one cup. This split cup test provides accurate results in about five minutes and is easy to use and read. This device can be stored at room temperature without compromising the test's integrity.

The next level of testing uses saliva. This particular test is fast, used to screen alcohol and can detect alcohol in other liquids as well. Using a saliva test to detect alcohol is more accurate than a breathalyzer, giving a better look at what needs to be done for the level that the test reveals.

Next, there is a cassette. It is in a plastic compartment. The particular design allows for easy result reading and screens for illicit and prescription drugs.

With all of the new developments in testing equipment it may be possible to test by pointing a device into your nose, ear, mouth or at your eyes. The question today though is spit or pee.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about urine drug screen test, please visit http://www.uveradiagnostics.com/.

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5 Reasons Why Blood Borne Pathogens Training Is Essential

Workers in the healthcare sector and all other people who handle human blood and body fluids are at a major risk of getting infected with pathogens and viruses. These microorganisms called Blood Borne pathogens, are present in the body of the infected person, are extremely deadly and can infect anyone handling the fluids. These pathogens, upon exposure, can enter into the blood stream through various mediums like body cuts and mucous membranes

Healthcare workers, people working in medical institutes and other people whose work involves handling of human blood should be extremely careful and should be trained well to handle such fluids with a lot of care. They are required to undergo Blood Borne pathogens training and here are the top 5 reasons why it is so essential.

‧ Anyone handling blood and body fluids is at risk: Healthcare workers and other people handling body fluids on daily basis are at maximum risk of contracting infections and illnesses through open wounds and cuts and also through mucous membranes. Therefore, doctors, nurses and support staff in hospitals, laboratories, collection centers, paramedics and other people whose job is to handle human bodies and samples are required to be trained properly to avoid risky circumstances. Apart from them, sometimes, there may be situations when someone may have to help some accident victim on the road or has to be impromptu in providing first aid. Therefore, even in the general public should have a brief and general idea about handle such situations.

‧ Infected blood and fluids can cause grave diseases if not handled properly: Dangerous diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or AIDS and Syphilis can be caused if the handler does not take the right precautions while handling infected blood. Most of these diseases are non- curable and only Hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccinations, given much before being infected. These are the most dangerous and incurable of the many the can be caused due to the lack of training.

‧ Pathogens can enter healthy bodies too: Irrespective of whether a person has had a clean bill of health, these life threatening pathogens can infect anyone if the fluids are not handled properly.

‧ Pathogens can enter through many channels: Blood Borne pathogens can enter blood stream through many different and unsuspecting ways. Body fluids like blood, vaginal secretions and semen are carriers of infected microorganisms. The transmission can happen through open cuts and wounds, abrasions, acne, dermatitis and other such modes. Sometimes, accidental transfer can take place through sharp objects like needles, knives and broken glass. Touching infected surfaces can also trigger contamination. Women may be at a greater risk as they may use restrooms with infected toilet seats and faucets which may have been infected with menstrual blood.

‧ Basic knowledge can also help: While healthcare workers are at a greater risk, not all of us are safe. Minimum training should be provided to everybody to prevent infections, if at all a situation arises which may expose you to such dangers.

All of us are at the dangers of being exposed to the dangers of Blood Borne pathogens. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Minimum training should be provided to the general public and extensive to those whose job requires them to take such risks.

For more information please visit our Bloodborne Pathogen Training and First Aid Training web pages.

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