Swine influenza – Swine influenza or swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by the type A H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV). Humans in close proximity to swine could contract swine influenza if the swine are carrying the rare strain of the SIV that is capable of affecting humans.

Symptoms – Swine flu symptoms in humans are generally similar to regular flu (influenza) symptoms and include muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, lack of appetite, fever, chills, and general weakness and discomfort. Other reported symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Transmission – H1N1 flu spreads from pigs to humans when humans are close to infected pigs. People working in barns or visiting livestock exhibits housing infected pigs are likely to get affected. Transmission from humans to humans can occur when the infected individual coughs or sneezes when others are close by. Putting one’s hands to the nose or mouth after touching anything with the flu viruses on it could also spread the infection. Consuming well-cooked pork and pork products won’t cause infection as cooking to an internal temperature of 160°F kills bacteria and viruses, including the swine flu virus.

Treatment and medication – While swine flu can generally be cured by the four antiviral drugs approved for curing flu in the US, amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir, the recent 2009 swine flu outbreak viruses have been found to be resistant to the first two drugs. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are now recommended for treatment and prevention of swine influenza.

Prevention – Swine flu can be prevented by taking certain precautionary measures, such as washing hands frequently with soap or an alcohol-based hand wash. Staying away from infected individuals is important as their coughing or sneezing could spread the infection. If instances of infection are reported in your locality, stay indoors as far as possible. Swine flue vaccine could be out by June 2009.

Reliable Paper offers an extensive line of disinfectants, spray and wipes that will help alleviate the spread of swine flu!

Copyright © by RaiseYourChild.org. All Rights Reserved.

Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your work requires that you travel. Don’t be too hard on yourself or on them when you find it difficult. Here are some tips you may find helpful:

1. Communicate with your family regularly about your travel schedule. If possible, post your itinerary in a prominent place, such as the refrigerator.

2. If your spouse also travels, exchange itineraries. Create a method for a daily “check-in.”

3. Whenever possible, establish a regular “check-in” time with the family so they can expect your call. Encourage every family member to have a file folder and/or checklist for “things to discuss” when you call.

4. If you have small children, send a postcard from the airport when you depart so it will arrive the day after you leave.

5. If you use a computer, and have one at home, send a daily e-mail message to the family, or a more personal message to each member of the family.

6. Let your child know you think education is important by participating. For example:

• If you like to give presentations, offer to speak to your child’s class on a topic related to your work or interests that might interest him

• Send a postcard to your child’s class at school. The teacher may appreciate the opportunity for a geography lesson.

7. Create a checklist to prepare for travel. Keep photocopies near where you store your suitcase, so you can use one each time you pack.

8. Ask your children to give you a photo you can carry with you – it will remind you of why you are working so hard! Be sure to leave one for them.

9. Streamline housekeeping, yard maintenance, housekeeping, and shopping. Consider using outside services for some routine tasks, so you’ll have more family time when you are home.

10. Have a discussion with your children about your travel.

About the Author

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger’s Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com

Copyright © by RaiseYourChild.org. All Rights Reserved.

Pick a good place for the whole family

The first thing is to make sure the whole family can have fun. Now is not the time to re-do fun trips you had when you were single or newly married. That will only bring disappointment for everyone. Pick places that are family-friendly, even if they are not quintessential family resorts. While perhaps not on your top list of vacation spots, a trip near grandma’s house might be just the ticket so that you actually get a break during your vacation.

Plan age-appropriate activities and plan your day so that everyone is relaxed
Babies are easily over-stimulated by too many sights and sounds. They also get bored on long sight-seeing bus tours or when they are stuck in one place for too long. Limit your plans to one activity a day and plan to spend a lot of time around a wading pool, which you might find is the best activity for little kids no matter where you’ve traveled to.

Try to plan your trip overnight
If you have a very small baby, you may want to take a very short overnight getaway just so you know what you’re getting into. In many ways, traveling with a small baby is easier than traveling with a 2-year old. This will also give you a better idea on what to pack.

Keep safety in the back of your mind
If you’re planning a trip to a hotel or house with a pool, make sure you’ve thought of how you will monitor your child 100% of the time. A leisurely vacation can be spoiled if you’re worried all the time about losing a child to a pool accident, the second largest cause of death in small children. Also, make sure to adequately plan for the sun, with lots of sunscreen, hats, and clothing that covers all the body or shades the baby. Now is a good time to double check your car seat if you’re planning a long trip.

Plan for the unforeseen.
Pack at least twice as many diapers for the plane as you think you might need. If you’re traveling overseas, plan to bring extra formula since most countries will not have brands you recognize or it may be very difficult to find it at all.

Plan lots of rest stops
If you plan for a lot, you won’t go crazy thinking that you’re stopping all the time. Try to minimize stress by keeping driving hours to a minimum.

Stay at Kid-friendly hotels
Almost all hotels allow kids to stay in rooms for free, but some also give free meals or buffet access to young children.

Pack a surprise toy bag
Kids love surprises and you can stop any tantrum by pulling out some new distractions. Look for light weight and easy to carry items, including some that might be thrown away along the way. Take lightweight paper books rather than hard backs. Little cars rather than one big item. Get an early start on this by throwing a few things into a bag a few weeks before your trip.

Bring plenty or snacks and drinks
Don’t skimp when packing water, juice and, especially breast milk or formula. Bring plenty of baby food if your child is eating solid food. You can never tell when you might have a lengthy delay and won’t be able to get drinks and food on the plane.

Most importantly, be flexible
Traveling with kids is a great time – they will show you the world as you’ve never seen it before – it’s up to you be relaxed and enjoy the ride.

About the Author

More information on kids activities. Plan summer activities for kids like making a toy together, photo books, juggling balls, skiing, camping with kids and traveling with babies