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Germs Among Us

I’m not 100% positive, but I think my brain is hemorrhaging. My eyes sting, my sinuses are on fire, and my temples are sizzling from what feels like an acid-like substance that’s coursing through my veins instead of blood. Oh, and my 7-year-old is going on week three of her cold from purgatory. And by purgatory I mean one step away from Hell, not Heaven. Our doctor, along with every other health expert I’ve seen yapping it up on morning news shows this week, keep reminding us to wash our hands “thoroughly,” as we are smack in the middle of … Continue reading →

Germs, Germs Go Away

This winter is trying to kill me. I have been sick since November, since my flu shot to be exact. Now I’ve never been one of those people who won’t get the flu shot because they believe it makes them sick. I sign up gleefully every year, the truth is I’m healthy as a horse so a little vaccination can’t hurt. Anyway, I digress, I think it’s the cold medicine. I’ve taken all the precautions, I use hand sanitizer, I wipe down everything on a regular basis but what I have keeps coming back. I think I might have to … Continue reading →

Finding a Home Away from Home on the Road

I lived in a hotel near downtown Honolulu for 37 consecutive days while I looked for a place to live on the tiny salary I received upon taking a new job as a TV reporter at the CBS affiliate. The place was a dump, but the location was ideal. I was a block away from the station, which was vital given that I didn’t have a car, and less than two blocks from Ala Moana Beach. The station worked me like a dog, so I didn’t spend much time in my hotel room. Still, it would have been nice not … Continue reading →

Germs, Germs, Everywhere Germs

Winter is officially upon us. I have always dreaded the snow and the ice. The freezing winds aren’t my favorite either. But since Maggie’s diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, my distaste for winter has grown into a fear – of all the germs and illness it usually brings. Maggie has had her flu and pneumonia shots, but there is still that darn cold virus that no one seems to be able to cure. In a few days, we will be seeing Maggie’s four cousins for Thanksgiving. Three of them are in school and so obviously, they get the occasional cold. I’m … Continue reading →

Keeping the Germs Away

When your child has an autoimmune deficiency or a chronic illness such as cystic fibrosis, exposure to germs is a scary and often dangerous event. Many parents argue that germs lead to the building of a child’s immunities. True. However, for some children, the common cold can turn into a hospital visit and will mean missing school and activities. It could also mean permanent damage that is irreversible and detrimental to a child’s long-term health and life-expectancy. While you can’t control the outside world, if your child has a condition that turns tiny germs into giant, overpowering menaces, here are … Continue reading →

Good and Bad News About Your Baby’s Ear Infection

When my daughter came down with her first ear infection as a baby she was in a tremendous amount of pain. Back then I did what most first-time moms would do, I high tailed it to the pediatrician and expected the doctor to help alleviate my baby’s discomfort and help heal her infection. However, instead of leaving the ped’s office with a handful of prescription antibiotics and a list of tried and true pain relieving techniques, all I went home with was a super cranky baby. My daughter’s doctor has a wait-and-see policy to avoid over-prescribing antibiotics to their young … Continue reading →

Dealing with Impetigo

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection. It is usually caused by strep or staph. (These are common household germs and can cause a variety of other common illnesses.) It looks like small broken pimples that eventually erupt and cover the area with a honey colored crust. It can be as small as a dime or as large as a quarter. I can generally recognize it as a ‘sore’ that won’t go away, and then crusts over. It is not necessarily more common in babies, however, scratching the skin can cause the infection to spread. It has been my experience that … Continue reading →

When sharing isn’t a good Thing…

We spend a lot of time teaching our children to share. However, there are many items they shouldn’t share, such as personal care items. It’s important to make sure small children understand the difference and know that it’s okay (in fact, preferred) that they do not share some things. Something else we don’t want to share is germs. Unfortunately, that can be a little tough when the weather keeps everyone inside, the doors and windows are closed, and a family member is sick. My youngest has been very sick. We’re trying to keep the other kids from catching it and … Continue reading →

Keeping Germs Away At 35,000-Feet

For some travelers the mere thought of having to be cooped up with hundreds of strangers in an airtight environment is enough to make them sick. But are you really more susceptible to cold viruses at 35,000-feet? I have friends who have told me that they have boarded a flight feeling great, but shortly after they landed a horrendous cold set in and their vacation was ruined. Is this possible? According to doctors, there is little evidence that indicates riding on a plane increases the likelihood of contracting an illness. In fact, the notion that the air in planes is … Continue reading →

Why Chewing Gum Is Good For You

Bring enough gum for everybody — because chewing gum can be good for you! Chewing a sugar-free gum after meals can help neutralize acids that turn into plaque on your teeth. This reduces your risk of developing cavities! Cinnamon is a natural germ killer. Cinnamon gum can help bust bad breath. Minty gums can help too, but the sweet scent may just cover up the problem, not neutralize the germs in your mouth. Chewing gum can help you lose weight — studies have shown that people who chew gum between meals tend to snack less. Whether the chewing motion keeps … Continue reading →