Heat waves are dangerous and they are deadly. Rolling blackouts and power outages are a real possibility and make matters even worse. There are things you can do to make the time safer for your friends and family. Don’t wait to take action. Do it now.

Following are a few steps you can take to help make heat waves a little more bearable:

1. It’s O.K. to raid your 72 hour kit… That’s right, 72 hour kits are not just for earthquakes and hurricanes but for any emergency. Your kit should include Instant Cold Packs. Place them on the neck or forehead for the best results. Mylar Blankets placed in the sunniest windows will cut down on the heat entering your home. Move the blankets as the sun moves or just leave them in place. These blankets are also large enough to cover a sliding door without piecing. You will be amazed at how quickly the temperature in a room will drop when you cover your windows with these blankets. Mylar blankets are also great to use outdoors to create shade as they reflect the sun’s rays. do this now and if the power fails you will be able to keep your home cool longer.
2. Get wet. Take a shower and don’t dry your hair, take a dip in the pool and don’t dry off (if the pool is in the sun don’t stay in too long), run through a sprinkler, keep a spray bottle nearby and mist your face (also great for your complexion), use wet compresses on your neck or head, keep a wet washcloth by your bed to cool yourself through the night, wrap your head in a wet bandanna, or soak your feet.
3. Drink lots of water, lemonade or juices, but never anything with caffeine or alcohol as these will raise your body temperature. Sodas will only increase your thirst. Popsicles are also a great way to stay hydrated. If you are thirsty, you have waited too long to drink.
4. Eat cold foods. This is the time to eat sandwiches, salads and other foods that are not heated. Avoid large portions of protein foods as they will increase body temperature. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
5. Cook outdoors if you feel you must have a hot meal. Crock pot cooking is also a great way to keep the heat outside. If you don’t have outside spaces, plug in your crock pot in a room you are not using such as the laundry room.
6. Keep blinds and curtains closed.
7. Move activities, including eating and sleeping, to the coolest room in the house. This will normally be on the lowest level of your home and in a room with an exposure that does not receive direct sunlight.
8. This is one time when you shouldn’t be concerned with how much television the family watches. Play board games or read, but don’t be too active.
9. Use your outdoor umbrellas outside the windows receiving direct sun. Outdoor canopies, tarps, and dining flies also work well.
10. Wear loose, light colored clothing.
11. Sit next to a fan. Remember fans do not cool the air, they only move it. You become cooler as the moisture on your skin evaporates. This is the reason you want to stay wet!
12. Skip the exercise routine and working outside.
13. Go Shopping! No kidding. Go to the grocery store or mall and window shop. Taking in a movie or going bowling are also “cool” pastimes.
14. The elderly, young children, pregnant women and those taking diuretics are most vulnerable to heat related emergencies. If a member of your family is taking any medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if they are more susceptible to the affects of the heat.
15. Check on housebound and elderly – neighbors and friends – and get them to a cooling center. Be sure there is a plan for their care when the cooling center closes. Many centers close for the night. Nighttime can be the most dangerous time of the day. We assume the temperature will be lower at night, but this is not always the case – especially in the city. All those roads and sidewalks retain heat during the day and as they release it at night the temperature remains high. Same thing for suburban congestion – several homes on an acre of land with homes just a few feet from each other is a bad idea.
16. Visit a friend or relative out of town. The temperature in the city is usually several degrees higher then the temperature in a country setting.
17. Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. (see yesterday’s post)
18. Turn off lights and the computer in the rooms you are trying to cool down.
19. When it cools down at night, if it cools down, open all the windows. Close them again mid morning as it starts to heat up.
20. Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows open. The temperature in a car, with the windows open, can reach 120º F within a few minutes.
21. If you are stranded in your car, place mylar blankets on the roof and over the windshield and rear window, on the outside of the car. Weight them down with rocks or anything you have on hand. You can also secure them by closing them into the door. Keep the windows open. The mylar blankets will reflect the sun, greatly reducing the heat.
22. Remember your pets. (see yesterday’s post)
23. If you need to go outside, wear a wide brimmed hat and sunscreen.
24. Find a cooling center by calling the police department or fire department.

Heat-related emergencies are very serious. Add a power outage and the results are deadly. Protect yourself now by accumulating items which will help through the emergency and learn how to use them. Teach your family members the dangers and warning signs now.

Check out today’s show with Halli!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/08/06/guest-carolyn-nicolaysen-preparedness-expert (solar activity, power outages and stocking a General Store)

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends

Yikes it’s hot! With record temperature in the United Sates this week it is a good time to review the danger signs. Yes, the heat can kill and it can do it quickly if you ignore the signs. Review the symptoms and the treatments below and pass along a link to this information to family and friends who may live in the southern and eastern parts of the United States where temperatures are reaching 120 degrees in some areas.

Know the signs:

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and dehydration. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is in trouble.
• Heat Exhaustion: Someone suffering from heat exhaustion will have cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; sweat heavily; have a headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and general exhaustion. Body temperature may be normal, or may be rising.
• Heat stroke: Someone suffering from heat stroke will have hot, red skin; lapse of consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Their body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry. If any of these symptoms are present call your doctor or hospital for treatment directions. If you have any doubt, call for help.

Treat Immediately:

• Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.
• Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan. Cool them down as quickly as possible. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give them aspirin or other medications. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Place victim in front of an open window or fan. Never leave a victim alone. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

Know the signs for pets:

1. Pet owners need to recognize the symptoms of heat stress in animals. Watch for heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation and vomiting.

• Treatment: Until you can get medical help move the animal into a cool area, apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck and chest or immerse the animal in cool water. Get the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

The heat can be deadly. Check on neighbors and friends to be sure they have a working air conditioner and plenty of cool drinks and foods. Check back tomorrow for tips on surviving a heat wave.

Remember….Tomorrow morning I will be speaking with Halli again. We will cover our latest General Store purchases and I’m sure more about the solar flare. The great thing about her show is that we can change direction the morning of the show if a disaster should become evident even five minuted before broadcast time. Visit with us on Friday morning 7:00AM Pacific time. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends

For those who are just beginning and as a reminder to all who have been at this for years, a tutorial about why we store the things we store. So, why is it important to store fruits and veggies and not just wheat and beans? Simple, all the foods we consume contribute in some way to our overall health. During a time of stress it is even more important for all of these vitamins and nutrients to be present to insure good health.When considering foods to store first refer to the list you made when you created your ingredient list. Then consider color. You should be storing fruits and vegetables in every color. This will guarantee you are providing all the vitamins and minerals available. Store orange: peaches and apricots, yellow: corn, pineapple, applesauce, pears, Red: beets, red cabbage, cherries…you get the idea.

We have had this discussion before so I will summarize and just say, remember canned foods will keep at least two years past the expiration’s date. Also remember in all the studies that have been done comparing frozen, fresh and canned foods it has been shown that canned foods provide as much nutrition as fresh foods which have been harvested after just 24-48 hours. In other words, they are as nutritious as fresh fruits and vegetables you would purchase in the grocery store which are at least that old when they hit the store shelves.

This is what fruits and veggies contribute to our health:

Calcium: Calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Promotes healthy functioning of muscles, nerves and some glands.

Fiber: Diets rich in dietary fiber has a number of beneficial effects including, decreased risk of coronary heart disease, reduces colon diseases, helps control cholesterol, and helps control blood sugar levels.

Folate: Healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect. Builds red blood cells.

Iron: Needed for healthy blood and normal functioning of all cells.

Magnesium: Magnesium is necessary for healthy bones and teeth and is involved with more than 300 enzymes in your body! Increases metabolism and tissue formation. Inadequate levels may result in muscle cramps and high blood pressure.

Potassium: Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain a healthy blood pressure.

Sodium: Needed for normal cell function throughout the body. Most diets contain too much sodium which is associated with high blood pressure.

Vitamin A: Promotes good night vision, and maintains healthy skin and membranes and helps protect against infections.

Vitamin C: Helps heal cuts and wounds by building strong blood vessel walls. Keeps teeth and gums healthy.

Finally, this morning I had a visit from a couple of friends. One I had not seen for many years and all she wanted to talk about was food storage. She asked questions for over an hour and as we talked she thought of questions she didn’t even know she had. That is what is called a consultation. It wasn’t meant to be but that is how it turned out. You can qualify to win a consultation too. Get busy today and win one so we can talk! You could just hire me but why do that if you can win one?

****Win a Consultation!***

To help motivate you to share I am offering the chance for you to win a personal one hour consultation. This will be a phone call where you can ask any questions you may have. You may even ask a group of friends to join you on a conference call or just using your speaker phone. To win one of five  consultations just refer five friends to blog.totallyready.com and our yahoo group. Have them mention your email address when they log into the yahoo group and leave a comment on any blog post. Ten friends and you get two chances to win. Fifteen friends and I will call you, guaranteed! It’s that simple. Watch for other special offers as we progress. I know I don’t want to look back when things get worse and think I could have done more to help you.

Confused about the solar storms NASA is anticipating? Take some time and listen to my show with Halli.

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

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Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show



I have a great post written with recipes but I decided it was far more important at this time to share the latest information on the H1N1. I will post the recipes on our yahoo group today and and here later this week.

First: Yes, a pig in Minnesota was found to have the swine flu. This is not as significant as you may imagine as you cannot get the flu by eating pork. You cannot. The people this is important to are those in direct contact with pigs such as farmers, 4H groups and meat processors who handle the live animals. This flu is respiratory and therefore cannot get into the cells of the meat we eat.

Second: Do Not purchase vaccines or antivirals such as Tamiflu over the Internet. They are a scam. They may or may not be dangerous but they will give you a false sense of security and you will let down your guard, and that is dangerous. Do Not Do It!

Third: There is a current shortage of the vaccine. If you have small children, are pregnant, or have a preexisting condition such as asthma or diabetes, you should know that vaccines are being given on a first come first served basis. Call you doctor to find out if he/she has the vaccine or knows where you can get it.

Fourth: If you get the flu or even suspect you have it, and especially if you are under 64, or have a preexisting medical condition, insist on an antiviral immediately. Do not wait for the H1N1 test results. The earlier you get the antiviral the better. Also, do not rely on the rapid test. It is very inaccurate.

Finally: These numbers were released by the Center for Disease Control a few minutes ago…very frightening.

Hospitalization for the H1N1 is: 53% are under 25 years old, 39% are 26-64 years old and 7% are over 64 years old.  During a normal seasonal flu season 60% of hospitalizations are of those over 64 years old.

Death from the H1N1: 25% of deaths are in those under 25 years old, 65% are 25-64 years old and 12% over 64 years old. During a normal seasonal flu 90% of fatalities are in those over 65 years old. With the H1N1 88% of fatalities are in those under 65!

Those numbers are very frightening, especially the death rate, since most 2o something adults still believe they are healthy and invincible and they are not being watched over by parents any longer.

This flu is going to get worse, much worse, so please help others understand how dangerous this flu really can be.

Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

To subscribe to our newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/?page_id=736

To purchase Prep Not Panic: Keys to Surviving the Next Pandemic : http://www.totallyready.com/

To purchase Mother Hubbard What She’s Doing Now: Food Storage For the 21st Century: http://www.totallyready.com/ Mother Hubbard also includes an interactive food storage calculator and inventory system for your General Store.

Blog Talk Radio Show with Kathy Hamilton..listen to our conversation at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/simikathy/2009/10/14/Carolyn–how-to-prepare-your-family-for-an-emergency-so-you-can-be-gone-with-confidence

Blog Talk Radio Shows with James Talmage Stevens:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/James-Talmage-Steven/2009/10/17/Family-Preparedness-Guide

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/James-Talmage-Steven/2009/06/20/Family-Preparedness-Guide

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/James-Talmage-Steven/2009/05/23/Family-Preparedness-Guide

From CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/whatsnew.htm

“During the week of October 4-10, 2009, influenza activity continued to increase in the United States. Flu activity is now widespread. Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like-illness increased over last week and are higher than expected for this time of year. In addition, flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are increasing as well, and are higher than expected.”

To date there have been 15,696 patients hospitalized with flu related pneumonia with 2,029 deaths. There have been 4,958 H1N1 hospitalizations with 292 deaths.

Numbers for deaths among children is now at 147. The CDC report as of last Friday contained the following information, which is frightening.

Nineteen more pediatric deaths for influenza were reported to us this week. We’re now up to 76 children having died from the 2009 H1N1 virus,” Anne Schuchat, a senior official at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said on Friday.

“To put that in context, in the past three years, the total pediatric influenza deaths ranged from 46 – 88. We’ve already had 76 children dying from the H1N1 virus and it’s only the beginning of October,” Schuchat said. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/873956/us-child-deaths-from-h1n1-shoot-up

That is really disturbing…46-88 deaths among children in a normal flu season, the entire season.. 6 months…and we have already seen almost twice that many in less than two months. Please share what you know and encourage people with the flu in their home to stay home, especially if you have children in your home.

Check out this graph and pay particular attention to the yellow line which tracks deaths in the current week. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/weeklyarchives2008-2009/IPD39.htm

How do people “catch pneumonia”?

Some cases of pneumonia are contracted by breathing in small droplets that contain the organisms that can cause pneumonia. These droplets get into the air when a person infected with these germs coughs or sneezes. In other cases, pneumonia is caused when bacteria or viruses that are normally present in the mouth, throat, or nose inadvertently enter the lung. During sleep it is quite common for people to aspirate secretions from the mouth, throat, or nose. Normally, the body’s reflex response (coughing back up the secretions) and immune system will prevent the aspirated organisms from causing pneumonia. However, if a person is in a weakened condition from another illness, a severe pneumonia can develop. People with recent viral infections, lung disease, heart disease and swallowing problems, as well as alcoholics and drug users, and those who have suffered a stroke or seizure, are at higher risk for developing pneumonia than the general population.

Once organisms enter the lungs, they usually settle in the air sacs of the lung where they rapidly grow in number. This area of the lung then becomes filled with fluid and pus as the body attempts to fight off the infection.

What are pneumonia symptoms and signs?

Most people who develop pneumonia initially have symptoms of a cold which are then followed by a high fever (sometimes as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit), shaking chills, and a cough with sputum production. The sputum is usually discolored and sometimes bloody. People with pneumonia may become short of breath. The only pain fibers in the lung are on the surface of the lung, in the area known as the pleura. Chest pain may develop if the outer pleural aspects of the lung are involved. This pain is usually sharp and worsens when taking a deep breath, known as pleuritic pain.

In other cases of pneumonia, there can be a slow onset of symptoms. A worsening cough, headaches, and muscle aches may be the only symptoms. In some people with pneumonia, coughing is not a major symptom because the infection is located in areas of the lung away from the larger airways. At times, the individual’s skin color may change and become dusky or purplish (a condition known as “cyanosis”) due to their blood being poorly oxygenated.

Children and babies who develop pneumonia often do not have any specific signs of a chest infection but develop a fever, appear quite ill, and can become lethargic. Elderly people may also have few symptoms with pneumonia.  http://www.medicinenet.com/pneumonia/article.htm#3whatare

Please email this post to everyone you know. Run off a copy and give it to neighbors or friends as you pick up the kids from school. Encourage others to call into my blog talk radio show tomorrow, tune in yourself, and ask the questions you may have.

I will be speaking with James this Saturday, October 17th 11:00 AM Pacific time (12:00 noon mountain time, 1:00pm central, 2:00pm Eastern). Please join us and ask questions about the Pandemic or any other preparedness concern you may have. Call in  (347) 326-9604 or just listen at:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/James-Talmage-Steven/2009/10/17/Family-Preparedness-Guide

To subscribe to our newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/?page_id=736

To purchase Prep Not Panic: Keys to Surviving the Next Pandemic : http://www.totallyready.com/

To purchase Mother Hubbard What She’s Doing Now: Food Storage For the 21st Century: http://www.totallyready.com/ Mother Hubbard also includes an interactive food storage calculator and inventory system for your General Store.

Blog Talk Radio Show with Kathy Hamilton..listen to our conversation at:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/simikathy/2009/10/14/Carolyn–how-to-prepare-your-family-for-an-emergency-so-you-can-be-gone-with-confidence

Schools may also need to close if children return too soon. Yesterday 19 children in the United States died of the H1N1. This may not seem a lot for such a large country but if it were your child it would be devastating. Traditionally schools worry about money from the state and encourage children to return to school quickly and even to come as long as they don’t have a fever. That has all changed. District are now asking that you keep children home if they are ill in any way and asking that they not return until they have been medication AND fever free for at least 24 hours. I recently returned from Oregon where one small school district closed because there were so many kids and teachers out sick that they felt there was little to no learning happening in the classroom. Another school canceled homecoming and still another canceled a football game because so many were ill.

While this illness is not as deadly as we had feared it may still become so. It will definitely have a huge economic impact if we don’t take care to avoid spreading it. Store shelves could still become bare just because a trucker or warehouse worker went to work ill and spread the illness. The hospitals in Oregon have told ALL the employees not to report to work for at least seven days after becoming ill. This is serious as medical help could become very limited should the medical community become ill. Fire fighters live in close quarters when they are on duty. What would happen if your home were threatened by a fire and the firefighters were all ill because someone came to work still contagious?  The point being, even if this strain is not very deadly it could greatly impact our lives if we are not responsible and do not stay home from EVERYTHING when we are ill. School, Church and work are important but we must be extra cautious and aware during this flu season. And…season flu season has not yet begun. What will happen then?

In the most recent study new information was revealed:

De Serres and Boivin tested 173 people enrolled in the study 8 days and 10 days after they first presented with symptoms. At Day 10, they were not detecting live virus in any of the 43 laboratory-confirmed cases of people with the virus.

The results of the study indicate that a large number of people with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 are still contagious after their fever breaks, and at least a proportion of people with the virus may be able to transmit it to others for a day or two longer than those who have seasonal influenza, De Serres says.

“For seasonal influenza in general, we consider that within seven days, the shedding of the virus should be over,” he says. “With this virus, we see that yes, the shedding of the virus is over for the majority of the people, but there are still people who are potentially contagious on day eight.”

In general, public health authorities advise people with seasonal influenza to wait for 24 hours after their fever has broken before returning to work or to school. Currently, that is the advice the US Centers for Disease Control offers on its website to people with pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

But that period of voluntary isolation is not likely to be effective in reducing transmission among at least a segment of those with the virus, says De Serres. “If on day eight, we still have 8-13% of people having live virus, to go back after two, three or four days (of presenting symptoms) is really too soon.”.

http://www.cmaj.ca/earlyreleases/24sept09_pandemic_h1n1.shtml

The lesson…stay home and if you even suspect you or a family member has the H1N1.

]]> http://blog.totallyready.com/pandemic-prep-please-stay-home/10/09/feed/ 0 http://blog.totallyready.com/pandemic-prepvomiting/10/02/ http://blog.totallyready.com/pandemic-prepvomiting/10/02/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:12:34 +0000 Carolyn http://blog.totallyready.com/?p=1136

As with last week’s post vomiting is not usually a symptom of the H1N1 flu but it is often a symptom of winter illnesses and is sometimes associated with the H1N1 virus.

Most vomiting is caused by a viral infection of the stomach or eating something that is contaminated.

Vomiting usually stops in 6-24 hours. Dietary changes can help speed recovery. We recommend that you begin the following protocol if your child has vomited 2-3 times consecutively.

HOME CARE

• Newborns to two months of age: Don’t give anything. Call the doctor.

• Two months to one year of age: Wait one hour after vomiting then begin clear liquids as outlined below.

• One year and older: Wait two hours after vomiting stops, and then begin clear liquids as outlined below.

Clear liquids:

Give one teaspoon of a clear liquid (preferably an electrolyte solution such as PEDIALYTE, LYTREN,  KAOLECTROLYTE or RICELYTE) every 10 minutes for one hour. Do not use water.

· If no vomiting occurs after receiving one teaspoon every 10 minutes for one hour: Continue giving clear liquids according to the chart listed below.

• If the child vomits: Wait until no vomiting occurs for 1-2 hours depending on age, then start over from the previously tolerated level on the chart.

After reaching six teaspoons at one feeding, the child may drink clear liquids as desired up to 2-3 ounces at a time. Once your child is tolerating these large amounts, you don’t need to give the fluids as frequently.

IMPORTANT: Because dehydration may make your child sleepy, you may need to wake him/her for fluids. Giving the fluids as outlined by the chart is more important than letting your child sleep.

NOTE: If your child is over one year of age and refuses the electrolyte solution, try mixing it half-and-half with Gatorade or some other sports drink or adding part of a Popsicle. If you are unable to get the electrolyte solution, you can use a dilute sports drink instead.

Introduce solids only if your child is tolerating 2-3 oz. of clear liquids at a time for at least one hour without vomiting. At this point, if the child feels like eating, try ½ piece of toast, a handful of dry cereal, or a couple of saltines or graham crackers. Wait several hours before additional solids are fed to the child to see how the child tolerates the solids already given. Continue fluids as you introduce the solid food. If your child vomits when you offer solid foods, go back to clear liquids. Do not force your child to eat solids; his/her appetite will improve.

Avoid spicy, greasy, gas producing, and hard to digest foods. It is also best to avoid dairy products until the child has been feeling fine for several days.

Breast fed babies:

For babies older than two months old, wait 1-2 hours after vomiting stops, depending on age.

• If your baby has only vomited once or twice, try providing breast milk in smaller amounts than usual. Continue breast-feeding, but nurse on only one side for 10 minutes, 15 minutes apart. After 8 hours have passed since your baby last vomited, return to nursing on both sides.

Medications:

Oral medications can irritate the stomach and make vomiting worse. If your child has a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, use ACETAMINOPHEN SUPPOSITORIES. These do not require a prescription, but you may have to ask the pharmacist for them. If your child has diarrhea, suppositories are not advised. Only treat the fever if the child is uncomfortable or not taking fluids by mouth. It is important to remember that mild dehydration can cause an increase in fever. Once the child begins taking fluids, you may see a reduction of fever, even without fever-reducing medication.

Call your doctor if your child is on prescription medications and is unable to take them.

Clear liquids: A common error is to give as much clear liquids as your child wants rather than gradually increasing the amount. This almost always leads to continued vomiting.

Too much, too soon: Another common mistake is to increase the diet too quickly, especially introducing solids or milk too soon. This can sometimes start the process all over.

Water: Water as a clear liquid is rarely tolerated. The electrolyte solution is not only tolerated better, but it replaces electrolytes in the right proportions needed to prevent problems, and it contains calories that your child needs. If you give water to a child at risk of dehydration, in large amounts, or for extended periods of time, the child may have seizures.

Call the doctor’s office…

• IMMEDIATELY if:

1. Your child does not urinate in more than 8 hours. If you are not sure if your child is urinating, you can put a tissue in the diaper to absorb the urime.

2. Crying produces no tears.

3. Any blood appears in the vomited material and is not from a recent nosebleed.

4. Constant abdominal pain develops (not intermittent cramping) and last more than four hours.

5. Your child becomes difficult to awaken or confused.

6. Poisoning with a plant, bad food, medicine, or some other chemical becomes a possibility.

7. Your child starts acting very sick.

• DURING REGULAR OFFICE HOURS IF:

1. You have attempted to follow the protocol twice and vomiting continues anyway.

2. Your child also has symptoms of sore throat, headache and/or swollen or painful lymph nodes in the neck.

Although diarrhea is usually not a problem with the flu it has been a problem to some having the H1N1 virus. This is also the time of the year when cases of gastroenteritis increases (sometimes called the stomach flu, which of course is not a flu at all). For those reason here are a few tips:

Diarrhea usually lasts only a short amount of time, and doesn’t usually cause complications such as dehydration, unless it is associated with a high fever. Therefore, you can safely treat your child at home. The child’s diet may not need to change if the diarrhea is mild and there is no vomiting. If your infant is breast-feeding, continue to feed on demand. If your child is bottle-fed, continue feeding as usual with full-strength formula. Older children can continue their normal diet but should avoid foods that may make diarrhea worse, such as foods high in fat or sugar The BRAT diet Alone is no longer recommended. However, the BRAT diet is comprised of foods that are easily digested and a good place to start.

It is advisable to offer extra fluids to help prevent dehydration in cases of worsening and ongoing diarrhea. In these cases you can offer your child electrolyte solutions in juice of popsicle form. Electrolyte solutions are tolerated better than water and replaces electrolytes in the right proportions needed to prevent problems, It contains calories which are needed. If you give water to a child who is at risk of dehydration, in large amounts, or for extended periods of time, the child may have seizures.

Resuming lactose-containing foods or fruits/fruit juices too soon can cause diarrhea to flare up again.

Never use boiled skim milk. This can cause serious complications, such as the occurrence of seizures, due to the high salt content.

In a breast-fed infant, diarrhea may be diagnosed if your baby’s stools abruptly increase in number. Breast-feeding does not usually need to be discontinued because of mild to moderate diarrhea. If diarrhea is very frequent (hourly or more), call the doctor for advise.

If on a milk-based formula, switch to one that is soy-based or lactose-free. Stay on the new formula until stools are normal for 2-3 days, and then gradually switch back to the original formula. If stools are hourly or more, call the doctor.

If your child is 4-6 months old and has already started solid foods, foods that may help thicken stools are fresh bananas, rice cereal (made with soy formula or water), cooked carrots, squash, yams or potatoes and white breads.

In children two years and older avoid foods containing lactose, greasy or spicy foods, and foods high in sugar (including juices, soft drinks and teas). This includes all dairy foods unless you purchase specially labeled “lactose-free” foods.

Over the counter medications are not recommended in the treatment of diarrhea in children especially the first two days. Diet therapy and extra fluids work best.

Call the Doctor’s Office…

• Immediately if:
  • Your child does not urinate in more than eight hours. It is often easier to tell if your child has urinated if you place a tissue in the diaper to absorb wetness before it soaks into the diaper.
  • Crying produces no tears.
  • Any blood appears in the diarrhea.
  • Constant abdominal pain develops (not intermittent cramping) that lasts for more than four hours.
  • The diarrhea is watery and your child vomits the clear liquids three or more times.
  • The diarrhea becomes severe. (such as a bowel movement every hour for more than eight hours).
  • Your child starts acting very ill and listless.

• Call the Doctor During Regular Office Hours if:
  • Mucus or pus appears in the stools.
  • A fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit has been present for more than 72 hours.
  • The diarrhea does not improve at all after 48 hours.
  • Moderate diarrhea accompanied by intermittent cramping lasts more than one week.
  • You have other concerns or questions.