Topic: flu

Flu Epidemic Declared Public Health Emergency

Flu Epidemic Declared Public Health Emergency

If you are a frequent reader of Blisstree, you’ve probably noticed how many times we’ve mentioned the terribleness that is 2013′s flu season, including ways to prevent catching the flu and the effectiveness of getting a flu shot. A few days ago, Briana noted that 2013 is seeing the worst season for the influenza virus in 6 years, but it had yet to reach epidemic levels. More »

Too Sick To Run? Here Are 8 Ways To Tell During Cold And Flu Season

Too Sick To Run? Here Are 8 Ways To Tell During Cold And Flu Season

To run or not to run…that can be the question if you’re feeling under the weather. Yes, we runners are a tough bunch, and we like to think that nothing can keep us from our training schedule, but there are times when a cold, flu or other illness prevails. So when is it OK to skip your run and stay in bed? We did our research and consulted with Dr. David Geier Director, MUSC Sports Medicine, who says it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Here’s how to know whether you should pull on your running shoes or stay in your pj’s. More »

Walgreen’s Gives Away A Flu Shot If You Check In On Foursquare

Walgreen's Gives Away A Flu Shot If You Check In On Foursquare

Do you use the social media app Foursquare? The app enables users to “check in” to places they go to and get points based on the number of times they’ve been out to how many of their friends are at the same place. However, plenty of brands are now using Foursquare to give out coupons, discount codes, or other free stuff to their customers. Tumblr user Bees Knees checked into her local Walgreen’s and got a message informing her that Walgreen’s would be donating a flu shot voucher to “someone in need” because of her checkin. More »

Cloudy With A 60% Chance Of Depression: Site Creates Real-Time Health “Weather Maps”

Cloudy With A 60% Chance Of Depression: Site Creates Real-Time Health "Weather Maps"

You know how you can sometimes get a feel for what kind of bugs are going around your city, school or social circle from tweets or Facebook status updates? Sickweather can too. The still-in-beta site —s ure to be a hypochondriac’s new favorite URL — aggregates illness-related data from social networks to produce real-time “weather maps” of flus, fevers and other reported symptoms like some sort of digital epidemiologist. Is this cool or creepy? More »

Fight A Cold The Natural Way: A Drug-Free Experiment

Fight A Cold The Natural Way: A Drug-Free Experiment

By now you know the tell-tale signs that you’re getting a cold. First you wake up with a scratchy throat that looks like will be gone by the end of the day with a few “ahems” and glasses of water. But as night draws nearer, you admit to yourself that this is the just the beginning of a week of sniffling, sneezing, hacking, coughing, and wheezing. At best it will be a snotty inconvenience, but at worst, you’ll be laying in bed, dizzy with a fever, deliriously fluctuating between hot and cold. It’s not March Madness, it’s March Sadness! Cold and flu season is depressing.

That was me last week, waking up with a throat so sore and red, it felt as if it had been scrubbed with a Brillo pad. I decided to use this opportunity to enact a long-desired experiment I’d been planning. Instead of reaching for the acetaminophen or the paracetamol, over-the-counter medications that help fight cold symptoms, I reached for the natural supplements which would fight the cold where it began, in my immune system. Comparing and contrasting this experiment with past experiences on pharmacy drugs, my objective was to compare how long it took for the cold to subside, contrast any side effects, and the overall sense of wellness I felt in the end. More »

Morning Links: Regulations Limit Organic Wine Production

Morning Links: Regulations Limit Organic Wine Production

It’s Hard to Find a Good Wine – Ever wondered why more wine isn’t organic? The USDA forbids sulfites from anything labelled organic, but winemakers say sulfites are what make a good wine. (LA Times)

Cancel Your Tickets to London – Hospitals in England are canceling operations to make room for flu patients in their intensive care units, and there’s a shortage of vaccines and medicines in many clinics and hospitals. (The Telegraph)

Yoga Makes Everything Better, Including Sex – If sex toys aren’t your bag, try these yoga tips for better sex. Mind over, er, dildos? (Elephant Journal) More »

Flu Shots: Will You Get One This Season?

Flu Shots: Will You Get One This Season?

Another year, another flu season — and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging everyone (except infants under 6 months) to get vaccinated this year. After last year’s flu pandemic, it’s become clear that the flu isn’t just dangerous to babies and the elderly — perfectly healthy children and adults also can be at risk for dangerous complications. This year’s shot will include protection against swine flu and two other strains. More »

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