johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jan 11, 2019 15:28:16 GMT
How can I protect our house from the stomach flu? It’s running rapid thru the high school, took out the entire girls basketball team one-by-one; just saw the principal went home sick today that means the VP is probably next and he’s the boys basketball coach (which ds plays on). Basically we’re on borrowed time before either ods gets it or it invades the elementary and yds brings it home.
I hate, hate, hate stomach viruses so give me all your best preventatives.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 11, 2019 15:32:01 GMT
I successfully avoided it after DS visited and came down with it a few years ago. I Clorox'd the HELL out of everything. Door knobs, bathrooms, handrails, refrigerator handles, anything anyone touched.
If someone gets sick, confine them to their bedroom and one bathroom. Clean them often.
If you are sick, do NOT cook food for anyone else for a minimum of 48 hours after the last symptom.
Norovirus is the worst!
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Post by misadventurous on Jan 11, 2019 15:34:55 GMT
Unless you have just washed your hands, don't touch your face, rub your eyes, bite your nails, pick your nose, eat chips and lick the salt off your fingers, etc.
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,400
Jun 17, 2016 12:36:53 GMT
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Post by ashley on Jan 11, 2019 15:39:43 GMT
Clorox wipes for all surfaces in the bathroom and other shared surfaces like door knobs! And everyone washes heir hands upon entering the house. Get older children to wipe down faucets/toilet flusher/ light switch / sink front / door knob in bathroom after each use.
If you don’t have a dish washer to sterilize, add a small amount of bleach to your dish water and let items soak for a few minutes.
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,949
Jun 26, 2014 13:42:47 GMT
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Jan 11, 2019 15:45:44 GMT
Invest in disposable gloves. Wear them when you are cleaning up after sick people. If you can’t get those, use a nail brush when washing up after cleaning puke/poop. Gloves keep the germs out of your nails. If you aren’t wearing gloves, the brush can help get rid of germs that are hiding out there. Regular hand washing is not sufficient without gloves!
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Post by Patter on Jan 11, 2019 15:50:44 GMT
Good advise here but other general things we do and have been successful:
*Always use a knuckle to push elevator buttons *Always use your butt or a shoulder to open a door. Elbow if it's a latch. *Never touch a shopping cart without first using a sanitizing wipe. That means that the cashier also gives you the same basket back after ringing up the sale not using a different basket sitting there. *Use Purell everytime you get back into the car (all occupants) *Carry Purell with you and use often *Wash hands often *Sneeze cough into arm NOT hand
Hmm, I will add to my list if I think of anything else. Hopefully it will stay away from your house.
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Post by marzbar71 on Jan 11, 2019 15:56:26 GMT
I've read that you should drink 100% grape juice (no sugar added) a few times a day to keep the stomach flu away. I haven't tried it but otherwise, wash your hands a lot!
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Post by internetmama on Jan 11, 2019 16:04:12 GMT
Hand sanitizer in the car. As soon has the kids get in the car, they sanitize. As soon as you all get home hands are washed with soap. Doorknobs are cleaned with alcohol. So are light switches, remotes, faucets, fridge handle, anything everyone touches. Paper towels for drying hands. No kisses, no communal food dishes, no sharing drinks. Sheets and towels washed in hot water and or bleach and dried on hot. Same for dish towels and pillowcases. A healthy diet and lots of water can’t hurt too. Stay healthy!
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Post by christine58 on Jan 11, 2019 16:04:59 GMT
yds brings it home. I hate, hate, hate stomach viruses so give me all your best preventatives. UGH I am down with it since yesterday afternoon....
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 28, 2024 21:45:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 16:41:02 GMT
Wear a mask when out. Sneezing/coughing into the air suspends droplets in the air that can remain there for several hours.
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Post by susancinpa on Jan 11, 2019 17:20:29 GMT
I would also suggest that if you've been out in public to change your clothes when you get home. In addition to your hands, other areas of the body also collect germs/bacteria. This would be even more crucial with young children that tend to climb, sit on the floor, crawl on others, etc.
For colds, we take Airborne daily and increase it when we either feel a little under the weather or have been around people that are hacking/coughing. For flu symptoms, we keep Oscillococcinum on hand, it's not a medicine, so I take it if I've been around someone with symptoms as a safeguard. Probably not very effective on Norovirus, but definitely can help the immune system if it's the flu. They say taking this with elderberry syrup helps even more, luckily we haven't had to try that yet. While boosting the immune system won't prevent a cold/flu/stomach virus, it can help strengthen your body's fight against it. The Oscillococcinum was first introduced to me pharmacist (friend's sister) that recommends it. My doctor's office also supports the use of it.
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Post by mrst on Jan 11, 2019 17:39:35 GMT
Apart from washing my hands well I don't do any of this. And I cruise a lot as well. I think I've had a upset stomach once in the last 10 years. Don't over think it all.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Mar 28, 2024 21:45:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 17:45:30 GMT
This is the time of year not to eat out, or shop during peak hours. No movies either.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 11, 2019 18:11:23 GMT
Good advise here but other general things we do and have been successful: *Always use a knuckle to push elevator buttons *Always use your butt or a shoulder to open a door. Elbow if it's a latch. *Never touch a shopping cart without first using a sanitizing wipe. That means that the cashier also gives you the same basket back after ringing up the sale not using a different basket sitting there. *Use Purell everytime you get back into the car (all occupants) *Carry Purell with you and use often *Wash hands often *Sneeze cough into arm NOT hand Hmm, I will add to my list if I think of anything else. Hopefully it will stay away from your house. All good tips. I can’t get a flu shot because of a prior reaction, so I try to protect myself in other ways. I spent one winter in quarantine, only going out for groceries and dr appts. I’ll add: -Get a flu shot! -Don’t touch your face unless your your hands are freshly washed. This includes your eyes. -Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Make all family members do this. -If you have to open a door with your hands, use your sleeve. Germs will live on your sleeve for a far less time and you are unlikely to rub your arm on your face. (If that’s you, pick an arm for each function! -As soon as you get home, wash your hands -When you use hand sanitizer, use a lot. This is not a “a little dab ‘ll do” situation! -In church, wave for the sign of the peace. Jesus and germs are everywhere. -Don't share utensils, drinks, or anything else. -If someone in the family is sick, designate one bathroom for the sick person. No one else uses it. Clean it after every use. With bleach, not wipes. Wet surfaces well and allow to air dry. They should remain wet for at least 3 minutes. -Be well rested and eat healthy. Allow your body to be at its best to fight germs -Use a humidifier in the home. Moist sinuses are your body’s first defense against germs. Regular asks will only work for about 20 minutes before they become moist enough with your breathing to stop being effective.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jan 11, 2019 18:12:02 GMT
Wow, some of you all take this germ avoiding serious! I did get clorox wipes and lysol at the store, I'll start attacking the doorknobs/light switches today. I'm hoping to convince ods not to drink from the communal sports bottles at tonight's game (why on earth do they still do this?!?!?), there's no way I'd be able to talk him (or anyone else) into wearing a mask or change clothes upon entering the house. I was hoping there was some magic vitamin I could shove down everyone's throat, but sadly I don't think it exists
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 11, 2019 18:15:43 GMT
Wow, some of you all take this germ avoiding serious! I did get clorox wipes and lysol at the store, I'll start attacking the doorknobs/light switches today. I'm hoping to convince ods not to drink from the communal sports bottles at tonight's game (why on earth do they still do this?!?!?), there's no way I'd be able to talk him (or anyone else) into wearing a mask or change clothes upon entering the house. I was hoping there was some magic vitamin I could shove down everyone's throat, but sadly I don't think it exists As parents, I’d be providing individual water bottles for the game. For football, our managers were in charge of the water bottles and no kid ever touched one. They would just squirt water into the player’s mouth.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 11, 2019 18:18:16 GMT
Thankfully my husband and I have never shared germs that make you sick. If my boys would get it, my husband would too. I stayed out of it for some reason.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jan 11, 2019 18:20:37 GMT
Wow, some of you all take this germ avoiding serious! I did get clorox wipes and lysol at the store, I'll start attacking the doorknobs/light switches today. I'm hoping to convince ods not to drink from the communal sports bottles at tonight's game (why on earth do they still do this?!?!?), there's no way I'd be able to talk him (or anyone else) into wearing a mask or change clothes upon entering the house. I was hoping there was some magic vitamin I could shove down everyone's throat, but sadly I don't think it exists As parents, I’d be providing individual water bottles for the game. For football, our managers were in charge of the water bottles and no kid ever touched one. They would just squirt water into the player’s mouth. Our managers just hand the players the bottles. They squirt them into their mouths but still, there's gotta be some back spray or accidental bumping on the lips and stuff, right?
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 11, 2019 18:23:13 GMT
As parents, I’d be providing individual water bottles for the game. For football, our managers were in charge of the water bottles and no kid ever touched one. They would just squirt water into the player’s mouth. Our managers just hand the players the bottles. They squirt them into their mouths but still, there's gotta be some back spray or accidental bumping on the lips and stuff, right? I would think so! Since so many in your school are out, I don’t think your concerns are helicopter territory. If you provide bottles, it takes the cost out of the request. I’d look for small 8oz bottles, because there won’t be any good way to keep track of whose bottle is whose in a fast game.
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Post by snugglebutter on Jan 11, 2019 18:26:40 GMT
Probiotics
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Post by littlemama on Jan 11, 2019 18:29:07 GMT
Clorox wipe EVERYTHING- doorknobs, light switches, toilet handle, toilet seat and lid, closet knobs, fridge and freezer handle and door, containers they may have touched
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Post by scrapmaven on Jan 11, 2019 18:33:12 GMT
yds brings it home. I hate, hate, hate stomach viruses so give me all your best preventatives. UGH I am down with it since yesterday afternoon.... Poor you. Are you feeling any better today? Nothing is worse. Hope you feel better very fast.
I keep Purell in my purse and use it all the time. Patter gave great tips, too. I never touch anything that I don't have to when I'm in public.
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Post by cmhs on Jan 11, 2019 18:34:56 GMT
A health care professional once told me to Lysol the hell out of everything! Her exact words.
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Post by Patter on Jan 11, 2019 18:43:34 GMT
A health care professional once told me to Lysol the hell out of everything! Her exact words. Yes, I know someone that does that along with Clorox. That family is always sick! I have never Lysol'd or Clorox'd. We can't use either because of our parrots. I have not been sick in well over 1+ years. Same with hubby and my girls. And I can't remember when we have had the stomach bug and have never had the flu. We just do everything I mentioned above as well as drinking water all day long, etc.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,718
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Jan 11, 2019 19:14:26 GMT
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Post by mrssmith on Jan 11, 2019 19:28:44 GMT
Sick people should toss their toothbrushes when they start to feel better. Stay strong & healthy everyone!
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Post by mrst on Jan 11, 2019 20:11:35 GMT
Stomach flu is nothing what so ever to do with influenza! You may be sick as a result of a high temperature , otherwise it's a stomach bug.
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Post by mustlovecats on Jan 11, 2019 20:14:58 GMT
Alcohol based hand sanitizers don’t kill Norovirus. Purell is useless for this one.
Soap and water for hands, bleach for surfaces. Only Lysol/Clorox products that are marked for Norovirus kill it, not all of them.
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Post by Zee on Jan 11, 2019 20:21:00 GMT
Stomach "flu" is not the flu, as I'm sure you know. Your best bet is to wash hands, use hand sanitizer, and don't share food or drinks until the virus runs its course within the student body. I like the suggestion to bring individual water bottles to the games/ practices for now.
I take care of people with actual flu and stomach viruses nearly every working day lately (It's supposed to be a cardiac floor, but about half our patient population is has been medical overflow for the past couple months), and I have yet to get sick. Strict hand washing, sanitizer, masks around flu/pneumonia patients, gloves when cleaning up any bodily fluids or used tissues, etc, bringing in a fresh cup each time someone requests water rather than refilling their cup at the water station, obviously a flu shot.
Knock wood I stay healthy but general precautions seem to be working! I hope your DS avoids it! Get him an individual hand sanitizer and reminded him not to touch his face.
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Post by birukitty on Jan 12, 2019 4:25:24 GMT
DH had the flu a couple of years ago and DS and I avoided getting it by following a few simple rules. DH was confined to his room unless he needed to come down to the kitchen. DS and I washed our hands as often as we could. When we washed our hands we made sure to wash them for a long time-the usual recommended time is as long as it takes you to sing the "ABC" song. Back then I did use Clorex wipes to wipe the counters and cabinet handles, but I haven't used them in a couple of years since.
I never use hand sanitizer because I think it's overkill. I think that your body has to build up a resistance to germs and if you are constantly using hand sanitizers and going overboard with other sanitizers your body doesn't get that chance. I do believe washing your hands correctly is enough.
I do use disposable gloves for lots of reasons-coloring my hair, picking up cat messes, or when DS was just sick with a cold helping him open a box of soup he'd started but couldn't finish. Yes, I could have just washed my hands afterwards, but I had a migraine at the time and wasn't thinking clearly. Looking back I wish I had just washed my hands-less to recycle.
I haven't had an illness that is contagious in 3+ years. I've been very lucky. I do credit eating healthy and know I have a strong immunity-my doctor has tested mine.
It might be worth checking out the Center of Disease Control's website to see what they have to say about avoiding contracting illnesses like the flu, colds, and those type of things. I trust the advice they have to give.
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