Flu shots reduce hospital admissions for children.

Want to keep your child out of the hospital even if they get the flu? A single pediatric dose of the H1N1 vaccine administered at least 14 days before diagnosis was 85% effective at keeping the kids out of hospital according to Canadian research. A single dose is suboptimal, but in an emergency can be very helpful.

PositiveTip: Flu season is starting. Have you and your kids been immunized?

Risk for infant influenza was 41% lower when the mother was vaccinated.

Infants younger than 6 months are not eligible for influenza vacations, yet are at high risk for flu complications. A study following mothers with healthy infants older than <2 weeks for three flu seasons found that infants whose mothers had been immunized for the flu had 41% lower rates than infants of unvaccinated mothers. 

PositiveTip: Flu season is upon us. Have you been vaccinated yet?

Obesity impairs the body's ability to remember how to fight the flu.

Obesity is seen as an independent risk factor for the H1N1 flu virus.

New research in obese mice strongly suggests they are far more susceptible to secondary infections (i.e. pneumonia). It seems that the excess weight interferes with the immune system's ability to "remember" how to fight off previous similar infections. This kind of "memory" is essential for vaccine effectiveness, too.

PositiveTip: Attaining and keeping a healthy weight may significantly influence the likelihood of severe flu as well as secondary infections.

Immunizing children significantly protects unimmunized community members.

Research among more than 40 Hutterite colonies in Canada found that when children from 3 to 15 years old are immunized against the flu, there was a 61% lower flu rate among the unvaccinated community members. By immunizing the children the entire community was significantly benefited. This study suggests that children and adolescents play an important role in transmitting the flu.

PositiveTip: High-risk groups and all children should be a high priority for flu vaccination.

Can you fight the flu and other infections with food?

Many of us are still waiting for the swine-flu vaccine to reach our locality. Are there foods we should be eating to help us fight off infections and disease? Absolutely! A lot of research is demonstrating that a nutrient-rich diet is necessary to help effectively fight off disease. How can we be assured we are getting enough? Tests are expensive and often unreliable.

Most nutrition experts agree the best way to get all the nutrients our bodies need is through a balanced diet based on plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and some nuts. Taking individual supplements and vitamin pills can upset the delicate balance between the nutrients or be toxic. Getting them from good food makes overdosing almost impossible.

Lower influenza activity is good news--but will it last?

Happy Thanksgiving! PositiveChoices.com staff hopes you are enjoying a healthy and pleasant day.

There is good news on the U.S. flu scene this week: a downward trend in influenza activity. The question is, will it last? We hope so. CDC has started a four-point campaign to advise travelers as follows:

• Travel only if well.
• Wash hands often with soap or sanitizer.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or sleeve.
• Get vaccinated when possible, especially if you're in a high-risk population.

PositiveTip: Continue to make healthy choices in diet, physical activity, and rest to keep the flu at bay.

Hand hygiene and face masks may reduce household influenza virus transmission when implemented early.

Does hand hygiene and wearing surgical face masks prevent household transmission of 2009 H1N1 influenza? A new Hong Kong study found that indeed these measures when implemented early after symptom onset seemed to curtail transmission to other members of the family. The control group received healthy dietary and lifestyle advice. Another group were educated by a visiting nurse on hand hygiene. The third group was educated on hand hygiene and the importance of correctly wearing a surgical face mask during the home visit. The greatest benefit was observed in the group who washed their hands and wore masks.

Save some money: Use standard surgical surgical masks to protect against the flu.

Influenza is transmitted by coughing or sneezing very tiny particles that may be inhaled at short-range by another person. Using a personal respiratory device may be effective in limiting the spread of the disease, especially in health care workers. New research has shown the standard surgical mask compared with the N95 respirator (NIOSH certified to filter at least 95% of airborne particles) to be as efficient in protecting health care workers in hospital settings. The standard surgical mask is less expensive and more readily available.

PositiveTip: If you need extra protection against getting the flu, use a standard surgical mask.

Vaccines for 2009 H1N1 flu now approved--will take four weeks for initial distribution.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza A. Several recent studies indicate most healthy adults will need only one dose. Guidelines for optimal dosing for children have yet to be determined. Distribution of the first lots in the United States will take about 4 weeks.

PositiveTip: Healthy living, good personal hygiene, and vaccination when available are important tools to fight pandemic. Don't forget the power of prayer, too.