Recently, there has been a lot of speculation about the Swine Influenza (Swine Flu). In the following Blog, I hope to answer questions that you may have.
For further information, you can try one of these sites. If you have concerns, please contact your health care provider.
Flu.Gov
A federal government Website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is one of the largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world.
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The following information has been provided by CNN Health.com
What is swine flu?
Swine influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs. It is caused by a type-A influenza virus. Outbreaks in pigs occur year-round. The most common version is H1N1. The current strain is a new variation of an H1N1 virus, which is a mix of human and animal versions.
Does swine flu affect humans
While the virus causes regular outbreaks in pigs, people usually are not struck by swine flu. However, there have been instances of the virus spreading to people -- and then from one person to another. The only difference is, says the CDC, transmission in the past did not spread beyond three people -- as it has done this time.
What is behind the spread of the virus this time?
Researchers do not know yet know. People usually get swine flu from infected pigs. For example, farmers handling infected pigs can contract the virus. However, some human cases have occurred without contact with pigs or places they inhabited.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms are similar to the common flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
What do we know about human to human spread of swine flu?
In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine. How does the virus spread?
The virus spreads the same way the seasonal flu does. When an infected person coughs or sneezes around another person, the latter is put at risk. People can become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. An infected person can pass the virus to another before any symptoms even develop.
Can swine flu be fatal?
Just like the regular flu, swine flu worsens pre-existing medical conditions in people. So people with already compromised immune systems can die after contracting it.
What does the World Health Organization mean when it says swine flu has "pandemic potential"?
If the virus spreads over a wide geographic area and affects a large segment of the population, it is upgraded from an "epidemic" to a "pandemic."
How can one keep from getting swine flu?
Several everyday steps can help prevent the spread of germs: Washing hands frequently; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; and avoiding touching surfaces that might be contaminated.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes, the CDC recommends using anti-viral drugs. They keep the virus from reproducing inside the body. And in an infected person, the drugs make the illness milder.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Allergies are Coming! The Allergies are Coming!
It’s that Time again! For many of us they come before the holidays, for others after the holidays and for the rest of us, whenever the weather changes. If you don’t know what I am talking about, today’s topic is Seasonal Allergies.
Some people solve the problem by keeping the windows sealed and never going out. Unless you are independently wealthy, this is not such a practical idea. Allergies are very patient. They know you have to open your door eventually and then they are in. There are various ways to fight back and enjoy the Spring and Summer (and even Fall).
Books:
Complete Allergy Book
by June Engel and Isolde Prince
Discusses allergies in general as well as some specific types: hay fever, asthma, food allergies, insect allergies, skin allergies, eye allergies, drug and vaccine allergies.
Call# 616.97 E
Allergy Information for Teens
by Karen Bellenir
"Provides basic consumer health information for teens on allergies, types of allergic reactions, testing and treatments. Includes index, resource information and recommendations for further reading "
Call# YA 616. 97 A
Allergy-free living : how to create a healthy, allergy-free home and lifestyle by Peter Howarth.
Call# 616.97 H.
There are also some good Internet Sites you might want to look at as well:
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/
A huge health source that provides health information. Information is current and reliable.
American Accademy of Allergy, Asthma, and Imunology
http://www.aaaai.org/springallergy/
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is the largest professional medical organization in the United States devoted to the allergy/immunology specialty.
Health Central
http://www.healthcentral.com/
combines medically-reviewed original content from doctors, researchers and expert patients, as well as news, information, video and other multimedia content from leading authorities.
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
More than 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers from Mayo Clinic share their expertise to empower you to manage your health.
Some people solve the problem by keeping the windows sealed and never going out. Unless you are independently wealthy, this is not such a practical idea. Allergies are very patient. They know you have to open your door eventually and then they are in. There are various ways to fight back and enjoy the Spring and Summer (and even Fall).
Books:
Complete Allergy Book
by June Engel and Isolde Prince
Discusses allergies in general as well as some specific types: hay fever, asthma, food allergies, insect allergies, skin allergies, eye allergies, drug and vaccine allergies.
Call# 616.97 E
Allergy Information for Teens
by Karen Bellenir
"Provides basic consumer health information for teens on allergies, types of allergic reactions, testing and treatments. Includes index, resource information and recommendations for further reading "
Call# YA 616. 97 A
Allergy-free living : how to create a healthy, allergy-free home and lifestyle by Peter Howarth.
Call# 616.97 H.
There are also some good Internet Sites you might want to look at as well:
WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/
A huge health source that provides health information. Information is current and reliable.
American Accademy of Allergy, Asthma, and Imunology
http://www.aaaai.org/springallergy/
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is the largest professional medical organization in the United States devoted to the allergy/immunology specialty.
Health Central
http://www.healthcentral.com/
combines medically-reviewed original content from doctors, researchers and expert patients, as well as news, information, video and other multimedia content from leading authorities.
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
More than 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers from Mayo Clinic share their expertise to empower you to manage your health.
Monday, March 9, 2009
What I Thought on Reading: A Child of the Depression
As I’m reading the book review journal, an article made me think. I would like to share it with you here.
It’s written by Will Manley and talks about what he has learned as a child of the Depression from his father. As the author thinks that the depression era has been gone forever, like the “black-and-white photography…but guess what? Those grim black-and-white photos from the 1930s, of haggard men standing in bread lines and skinny farm women looking at their babies with despair, are making the rounds again, 75 years later, in mainstream magazines and newspapers”. With so many questions regarding fixing the economy still unfolding, Will said we may find it helpful to learn some skills his father once taught him on “how to get every last drop of ketchup out of the bottle and how to bind soap slivers together so as not to waste a single flake”.
My parents visited me last spring and enjoyed the time here. One of my father’s favorite things to do is taking a walk. He has been doing this for about 10 years already. While he was with me, he increased his walk into twice a day. He was so impressed by how friendly and polite people are, and how clean and beautiful the neighborhood is. However, there is one thing that had been bothering him, which is why some people leave their door lights on during the daytime. I can explain pretty much everything to him regarding cultural and geographical issues, but cannot find the answer for this one.
Just a thought to share, and looking forward to hearing from you.
If anyone would like to find information on energy-saving, or reducing energy costs around your home, please consult the reference librarians. Here are some books selected:
Save Energy Save Money: do-it-yourself projects, tips, and ideas by the Family handyman, 2007
Call# 643.7 S
Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by Alex Wilson and John Morrill, 1990-
Call# 644 W
Home Insulation : do it yourself & save as much as 40% by Harry Yost, 1991
Call# 693.832 Y
The Carbon-free Home : 36 remodeling projects to help kick the fossil-fuel habit by Stephen and Rebekah Hren, 2008
Call# 644 H
This Cold House : the simple science of energy efficiency by Colin Smith, 2007
Call# 697 S
It’s written by Will Manley and talks about what he has learned as a child of the Depression from his father. As the author thinks that the depression era has been gone forever, like the “black-and-white photography…but guess what? Those grim black-and-white photos from the 1930s, of haggard men standing in bread lines and skinny farm women looking at their babies with despair, are making the rounds again, 75 years later, in mainstream magazines and newspapers”. With so many questions regarding fixing the economy still unfolding, Will said we may find it helpful to learn some skills his father once taught him on “how to get every last drop of ketchup out of the bottle and how to bind soap slivers together so as not to waste a single flake”.
My parents visited me last spring and enjoyed the time here. One of my father’s favorite things to do is taking a walk. He has been doing this for about 10 years already. While he was with me, he increased his walk into twice a day. He was so impressed by how friendly and polite people are, and how clean and beautiful the neighborhood is. However, there is one thing that had been bothering him, which is why some people leave their door lights on during the daytime. I can explain pretty much everything to him regarding cultural and geographical issues, but cannot find the answer for this one.
Just a thought to share, and looking forward to hearing from you.
If anyone would like to find information on energy-saving, or reducing energy costs around your home, please consult the reference librarians. Here are some books selected:
Save Energy Save Money: do-it-yourself projects, tips, and ideas by the Family handyman, 2007
Call# 643.7 S
Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by Alex Wilson and John Morrill, 1990-
Call# 644 W
Home Insulation : do it yourself & save as much as 40% by Harry Yost, 1991
Call# 693.832 Y
The Carbon-free Home : 36 remodeling projects to help kick the fossil-fuel habit by Stephen and Rebekah Hren, 2008
Call# 644 H
This Cold House : the simple science of energy efficiency by Colin Smith, 2007
Call# 697 S
Friday, February 6, 2009
Celebrate Valentine's Day, Let Reading Build Your Relationship
Having a romantic dinner, sending a dozen of roses, or buying a box of delicious chocolate… but what about checking out an excellent book in your library, and learn all the tricks and tips on building a relationship?
The Farmingdale Public Library holds a rich collection on this topic, and below are just a few examples:
The Farmingdale Public Library holds a rich collection on this topic, and below are just a few examples:
The commuter marriage : keep your relationship close while you're far apart by Tina B. Tessina (2008)
Being happy being married : keeping love in your marriage by Lee Schnebly.
The Secret laws of attraction : the effortless way to get the relationship you want by Talane Miedaner (2008)
Save the males : why men matter why women should care by Kathleen Parker (2008)
Laugh your way to a better marriage : unlocking the secrets to life, love, and marriage by Mark Gungor (2008)
Being happy being married : keeping love in your marriage by Lee Schnebly.
Men, women and relationships [sound recording] : making peace with the opposite sex by John Gray (1995)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Show and Tell
Happy New Year
When the Reference Department organizes their individual weekly displays, one of the first sources we go to is the Chases’s Calendar of Events book which is a guide to special days, weeks and months for the country and beyond. Sometimes we hit upon a display that would apply, sometimes not. It is a reference book so we recommend you come back to the Reference Desk and take a look. A lot of those special events are quite entertaining. It also contains anniversary birth & death dates for notable people.
When the Reference Department organizes their individual weekly displays, one of the first sources we go to is the Chases’s Calendar of Events book which is a guide to special days, weeks and months for the country and beyond. Sometimes we hit upon a display that would apply, sometimes not. It is a reference book so we recommend you come back to the Reference Desk and take a look. A lot of those special events are quite entertaining. It also contains anniversary birth & death dates for notable people.
Typical entries are as follows:
January 5-Monday: Alvin Ailey: Birth Anniversary
January 5-Monday: All my Children TV Premier
January 7-Wednesday: Nanakusa: Festival dates back to the seventh century and recalls the seven plants served to the emperor that are believed to have great medicinal value
January 7-Wednesday: I’m Not Going To Take it Anymore Day
January 8-Thursday: Show and tell day at work
January 11-Sunday: Cuckoo Dancing Week: (Jan. 11-17) To honor the memory of Laurel and Hardy whose theme “The Dancing Cuckoos” will be celebrated
January 11-Sunday: Golden Globes Award Show
A lot of these entries have contact information for more information.
So you see, what may appear random to you, the patron, is a well thought out display by the Reference team. Take a look at Chase’s and while you are at it. Check out our constantly changing displays.
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