Not Real Estate related....but REALTOR related...

Many folks across the nation have been experiencing various forms of 'upper respiratory' difficulties.
Reports of such 'flu' & related symptoms are filling the airways;
I thought that the "Flu" had come & gone by now, but apparently, Michigan is showing an increase in this year's event.

We have "eye-rolling" reactions to the Doctor on Local 4 TV News; he is on the station more than he seems to work in some emergency Room. This time, they snuck him in by showing a chart first, then his face.
Though the Nanny state practices of having doctors on each & every day, most of the Local TV News.
& often also the Cable News, this chart did get my attention.

This year's Flu involves mainly the usual muscle aches / pains, stuffy nose [or in my case totally non-working], congestion -mild to severe, headaches, coughs--some deep, & tiredness not relieved by normal sleep patterns



The things to do to protect yourself are:
...hand washing;
...covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing [some say to so do into the sleeve or shoulder];
...get proper sleep;
...eat & choose food items that are healthy rather than fat-laden;
...drink fluids during your day;


...and of course, get your flu shot [it is still not too late],[[Not for me]]




If you already suffer from the flu or flu-like illness:
...stay out of the public whenever possible;
...work from Home rather than going into the office;
...protect others within & without your family by using disposable products when possible--use paper coffee cups at
gatherings rather than those that need to be washed; at home use the dishwasher setting for hot water;
...wash bedding & personal clothing separately from general household items;
...use cough & cold OTC or if needed Prescriptions according to directions;


This listing is not new to anyone out there, but it bears reviewing especially for those who work closely, or hand-to-hand with the public.





What is so simple and easy to do, however is that which we often neglect to put into your daily regimen:
...after the illness has passes---CHANGE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH--
..dispose of the used one by placing into a small bag & putting securely into the larger tied or sealed bag & then into
the trash container.

This was the "Tip of the Month" in the March 2011 / volume 23 / NO. 3/ Consumers Reports on Health:
..." Question: "Can you reinfect yourself by using the same toothbrush after you've been sick:"
...Answer: "Possibly, so it's best to throw it out once you're well. Your toothbrush collects germs from any
environment where it spend time, including the place where you store it and, of course, your mouth.
In theory,using the same toothbrush you used when you had a bacterial infection [like strep throat]
or viral infection [like a cold or the flu] could re-expose you to the germs...."

The answer continues through the process of 'boiling your toothbrush' but warns against damage to the brush itself;
it discusses how & where you store the brush in between brushing; suggesting rinsing before & after use; It goes on to state:
"So it's better to start fresh"
Most dentists urge us to change our toothbrushes every three months anyway, but to "Start Over" with a fresh one after the flu, cold or flu-like illnesses.




This is a "Slap upside the Head kind of moment"
I always change the brushes every three months regardless; sometimes soak the 'heads' in a special effervescent tablet designed to freshen up the brush head between changes;
But.....
This 'throw it away' sensible & smart option did not occur to me this time; That is why I think that last week's 'return of the flu' [too many symptoms match for me] caught me 'flat-footed, '_ss-backwards', & totally 'brain-deactivated'.

How simple this would have been; what a waste of these past 7 days.
Live and Learn.

Taking Vitamins & extra "C" can't hurt either--however, as I told Sal, I have taken so much Vitamin C that I should be Orange-colored. LOL

We both changed our toothbrushes today---Change you can believe in & put your money on.

Have a lough on me, on us, but do LEARN