Tamiflu vs. Swine Flu

Swine flu! This PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN is freaking me out. Somebody please give me Tamiflu!

According to the US Center for Disaster Control, "the recommended antiviral drugs for swine influenza are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in the body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative."

I am trying to get my hands on at least 2 boxes of Tamiflu. Wish me luck. 

In the mean time, here are some tips from the CDC.

PRACTICE HEALTHY HABITS TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF SWINE FLU

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
  
• Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
  
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
  
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
  
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (with at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. (Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.)
  
• It is important to follow the advice of local health and government authorities. You may be asked to restrict your movement and stay in your home to contain the spread of swine flu.

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Morbid Thoughts: Living Will

Photo by eqqman














Talks on Death

Me: If I die first, I don't want any fanfare. Just cremate me. It's cheaper. (Kuripot hanggang kamatayan.)

Husband: Me too. I want to be cremated immediately. No viewing. No wake.

Me: What if your family wants a wake?

Husband: Tell them I don't want one.

Me: What?! That will be difficult given the circumstances.

Husband: Just tell them.

Me: Bah! You're dead anyway. I'll do what they want.

Remember the Terri Schiavo case? She suffered severe brain damage and was only kept alive by a feeding tube. Claiming that it was her wish not be be kept on life support if there's no hope for improvement, Terri's husband petitioned the court for the removal of the tube. This petition was vehemently opposed by Terri's parents and the case dragged on for around 7 years.

I don't want to put my husband in the same position if something like that happens to me. I am publicly declaring now that I DO NOT WANT TO BE KEPT ON LIFE SUPPORT IF THERE IS NO HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT.

I surfed the net and found some samples of Living Wills. I want my husband and I to make one. One day of morbid planning will save us all the trouble in the event that one of us dies first. In the perfect world, we die at the same time.

According to Eternal Reefs, a good End-Of-Life plan consists of 4 documents.

1. Advanced Directives
2. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
3. Final Directives
4. Last Will and Testament

The Last Will and Testament takes care of your estate. The first three documents contain your dying wishes.

Do you want to be kept on life support? Do you want to donate your organs? Do you want to be cremated? Do you want to ban Malaysian Mums (this is a type of flower, not mommies from Malaysia) from your wake?

Morbid thoughts...

Will you be making your own Living Will soon?

Note: This is not a paid post. I do not endorse Eternal Reefs. However, their End-Of-Life Planning page is really helpful.

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Christmas Lights Safety Reminders

1. Check the condition of the lights.

• Some experts suggests using new lights every year. Since this may be costly especially for those with big trees, just make sure that the lights are all in good condition.
• Are they still working properly? Are there worn or frayed parts? Are there exposed wires?
• Repair or replace damaged light strands.
• Check if they are indoor or outdoor lights. Never use indoor lights outdoors.
  

2. Avoid octopus connections.

• Connect a maximum of 3 light strands together.
• Use enough extension cords.
  

3. Do not leave a lighted tree unattended.

• Turn off the lights when nobody is in the room.
• Teach everyone in the house how to turn off the main switch in the fuse box.
• Place the fire extinguisher in an accessible area. Make sure everyone knows how to use it.

4. Match your extension cord with your tree.

• Fine! This one has nothing to do with safety.
• Why use a white extension cord when your tree is green?

See also: Associated Content

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Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to Hike We Go (Updated)

For the love of CCB, I am going hiking tomorrow!

It's good that my husband loves her as much as I do because he'll be the one lugging all the stuff I want need to bring for the trek.

Here is a list of what I packed in HIS backpack.

Water
Food (Granola Bars)

Shirt
Socks
Small Towel

Camera
Wallet
Cell Phone
Umbrella

BLUE KIT
First Aid Kit
Medicine Box
Flashlight/Radio
Cold Pack (For heat cramps)
Emergency Poncho
Emergency Blanket
Multi-Tool (Swiss-Army Knife)
Work Gloves
Signal Mirror (Regular Compact Mirror)
Compass
Whistle
Lighter
Toilet Paper
Notebook and Pen

Here is a list of what I packed in MY backpack.

Water
Food (Granola Bars)
Hat
Shirt
Socks
Small Towel
Jacket
Sunscreen (highest SPF I can find)
Sunglasses
Insect Repellent
Lip Balm

Camera
Wallet
Cell Phone

It's a 4-hour trek so we better be prepared.

Tip: Make sure you drink at least 1 quart of water the night before the trek.

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Tagalog First Aid Instructions (Part 3 of 3)

NAKURYENTE

1. Siguraduhing wala nang koneksyon sa kuryente ang biktima. Kung meron pa, patayin ang main switch sa fuse box ng bahay.
2. Padaluyan ng malamig na tubig ang nakuryente na parte. Gawin ito sa sugat kung saan pumasok at lumabas ang kuryente.
3. Takpan ang nasunog na balat ng makapal na gauze o malinis na damit.

NAKAINOM O NAKAKAIN NG LASON

1. Itanong sa biktima kung anong lason ang nainom niya.
2. Tumawag agad sa Poison Control (Tel. No. 524-1078) at sabihin kung anong lason ang nainom ng biktima. Tanungin kung ano ang dapat gawin at sundin ang mga tagubilin ng nakasagot.
3. Kung hindi kaagad makatawag, painumin ng dalawang basong malamig na tubig o gatas ang biktima.
4. Dalhin ang biktima sa doktor. Dalhin ang bote ng lason para malaman ng doktor kung anong lunas ang ilalapat sa biktima.

SPRAIN

1. Pahigain o paupuin ang biktima. Itaas ang parteng may sprain sa komportableng posisyon.
2. Patungan ito ng bulsa de yelo para mabawasan ang pamamaga at pagkirot.
3. Iaangat ang na-sprain na parte ng katawan para mabawasan ang pagdaloy ng dugo dito.

KAGAT NG HAYOP

1. Hugasan agad ng tubig ang kagat para maalis ang laway ng hayop.
2. Tuyuin ang sugat gamit ang gauze.
3. Takpang ng sugat ng gauze para maiwasan ang impeksyon.
4. Tumawag sa Animal Bite Control (Tel. No. 816-1111) at sabihin kung anong uring hayop ang nakakagat sa biktima. Sundin ang mga utos ng nakasagot.
5. Kung kinakailangan, dalhin ang biktima sa ospital.

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Tagalog First Aid Instructions (Part 2 of 3)

MATINDING PAGDURUGO NG SUGAT

• Paupuin or pahigain ang biktima upang maiwasan ang pagkahilo.
• Pahintuin o pahinain ang pagdurugo habang hindi pa dumarating ang tulong:
• Ipatong ang malinis na gauze o anumang malinis na tela sa sugat at idiin ito. Ipagpatuloy ang pagdiin hanggang huminto ang padurugo.
• Kung hindi sapat ang pagdiin sa sugat para pahintuin ang pagdurugo, diinan ng sabay ang ibabaw at ilalim ng sugat.
• Kung ang sugat ay nasa braso, kamay, hita, binti o paa at patuloy pa rin ang pagdurugo, maaaring diinan ang alin man sa apat na pressure points sa larawan.
• Kung huminto na ang pagdurugo, talian ito ng gasa. Sikipan ang pagtali pero huwag sobrang sikip na hindi na makadaloy ang dugo sa ibang parte ng katawan.

HIWA, GALOS O GASGAS

• Itapat sa dumadaloy na tubig ang sugat para matanggal ang dumi. Siguraduhing palayo sa sugat ang daloy ng tubig. Kung kinakailangan, alisin ng tiyani ang naiwang dumi. Siguraduhing malinis ang tiyani.
• Takpan ng gauze ang sugat bago linisin ang balat sa paligid nito. Linisin ang balat sa paligid ng sugat sa pamamagitan ng sabon at tubig.
• Takpan ang sugat ng band-aid o malinis na gauze.
• Alamin kung may bakuna laban sa tetano ang biktima. Kung wala, kumonsulta sa doktor.
• Obserbahan ang sugat at siguraduhing wala itong impeksyon.

SUGAT NG PAGKATUSOK

• Marahang pisilin ang sugat para lumabas ang dugo. Kailangan ito para linisin ang sugat sa loob.
• Itapat sa dumadaloy na tubig ang sugat para matanggal ang dumi. Siguraduhing palayo sa sugat ang daloy ng tubig.
• Takpan ng gauze ang sugat bago linisin ang balat sa paligid nito. Linisin ang balat sa paligid ng sugat sa pamamagitan ng sabon at tubig.
• Takpan ang sugat ng band-aid o malinis na gauze. ang sugat.
• Patungang ng bulsa de yelo ang sugat kung ito ay namamaga o kumikirot.
• Alamin kung may bakuna laban sa tetano ang biktima. Kung wala, kumonsulta sa doktor.
• Obserbahan ang sugat at siguraduhing wala itong impeksyon.

MATINDING PAGKASUNOG O PAGKABANLI

• Pahigain ang biktima. Kung maari ay huwag ilapat ang parteng nasunog sa hinihigaan.
• Padaluyan ng malamig na tubig ang nasunog na parte. Patuloy na gawin ito sa loob ng 10 minuto o hanggang sa humupa ang sakit. Kung ang sunog ay sanhi ng kemikal, padaluyan ito ng tubig sa loob ng 20 minuto.
• Alisin o gupitin ang damit sa nasunog na parte ng katawan. Huwag hilahin o piliting tanggalin ang damit. Gupitin ito kung kinakailangan.
• Takpan ang nasunog na balat ng makapal na gauze o malinis na damit.
• Kung may malay ang bikitma, painumin ito ng tubig na may Hydrite. Painumin ito kada 15 minuto hanggang dumating ang tulong. Ihinto ang pagpapainom kung nagsusuka ang biktima.

TANDAAN:

• Huwag hawakan o galawin ang parteng nasunog. Huwag tanggalin ang anumang bagay na nakadikit sa sugat.
• Huwag tusukin o paputukin ang balat na naglantog.
• Huwag lagyan ng kahit na anong ointment o cream ang nasunog na balat.

MENOR NA PAGKASUNOG O PAGKABANLI

• Padaluyan ng malamig na tubig ang nasunog na parte. Patuloy na gawin ito sa loob ng 10 minuto o hanggang sa humupa ang sakit.
• Alisin o gupitin ang damit sa nasunog na parte ng katawan. Huwag hilahin o piliting tanggalin ang damit. Gupitin ito kung kinakailangan.
• Takpan ang nasunog na balat ng makapal na gauze o malinis na damit.

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Tagalog First Aid Instructions (Part 1 of 3)

MGA DAPAT TANDAAN

A. Maging kalmado at suriin ang sitwasyon.

3 BAGAY NA DAPAT TIYAKIN KUNG MAY TAONG MALUBHA ANG SUGAT O KARAMDAMAN:

1. DAANG HINGAHAN. Tiyakin na ang ilong, bibig at lalamunan ay hindi nababarahan ng anumang bagay tulad ng laway, suka, dugo o pagkain.
2. PAGHINGA. Tiyakin kung ang biktima ay humihinga. Kung hindi, kailangan gawin sa kanya ang artificial respiration.
3. PAGDALOY NG DUGO.Tiyakin kung ang biktima ay may pulso. Kung wala na, kailangan siyang lapatan ng CPR.

MGA HINDI DAPAT GAWIN SA BIKTIMA:

1. Huwag galawin ang biktima kung ito ay nabalian o lubhang napinsala sa leeg o sa buto sa likod, maliban na lang kung sa paglipat ay maliligtas siya sa mas matinding kapahamakan.
2. 1. Huwag piliting painumin ang taong walang malay o wala sa sarili. Baka maging sanhi ito ng pagbabara ng kanyang hingahan.
3. 2. Huwag piliting gisingin ang taong walang malay sa pamamagitan ng pagsampal o pag-uga sa kanya.

B. Tumawag sa 117 para humingi ng tulong.

Tumawag sa 117 para humingi ng tulong. Sabihin sa nakasagot kung ano ang nangyari o sakuna. Itanong kung ano ang dapat gawin habang hindi pa dumarating ang ambulansya. Tumawag din sa guard at ipaalam na may emergency sa Unit *****. Gawin ito agad lalo na kung ang biktima ay:

1. Matindi ang pagdurugo ng sugat
2. Nakainom ng lason
3. Mahina o wala nang pulso
4. Hirap o hindi na humihinga

Maaari ring tumawag sa (IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF AEROMED OF LIFELINE ARROWS) para sa ambulansya. Sabihin sa nakasagot ang nangyari. Ibigay ang pangalan at card number ni xxxxx: xxxxx, Card No. xxxxx.

C. Habang naghihintay ng doktor o ambulansya, patawan ng first aid ang biktima.

1. Suriin ang katawan ng biktima para malaman kung may iba pa itong sugat. Huwag piliting hilahin ang damit na dumikit sa balat. Gupitin na lang ito kung kinakalingan.
2. Patawan ng nararapat na first aid ang bikitma.
3. Kalmahin at palakasin ang loob ng biktima.

IMPORTANTE!

• Maging kalmado at lakasan ang loob. Kailangang talasan ang pag-iisip.
• Siguraduhing malinis ang kamay ng maglalapat ng first aid para maiwasan ang impeksiyon. Gumamit ng surgical gloves (hanapin sa first aid kit) kung kinakailangan.

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First Aid Manuals

"Pangunahing Lunas at mga Halamang Gamot Para Sa Lahat" by Ricardo C. Asin; DK: First Aid Manual". (Both from National Bookstore, Power Plant)

I bought these two first aid manuals last Sunday. I was finally able to make my own Tagalog first aid guide for my household manual. I will share them with you soon!

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Emergency Kit

Remember the earthquake prediction of Da Luz (Da Roose)? Well, I know it's a hoax but it made me reassess our earthquake/emergency preparedness here at home. Before the email, all I had in our emergency kit were tissues and toiletries. I am happy to say that I am close to completing our kit.





Tip: Flashlight and Cloth gloves available in Ace Hardware. Army Knife, Poncho and Blanket available in R.O.X., Bonifacio High Street.





Emergency Kit for 2

• First Aid Kit
• Medication
• Flashlight/Radio (hand crank)
• Emergency Poncho (2 pcs)
• Emergency Blanket (2 pcs)
• Army Knife
• Cloth Gloves
• Bottled Water (6 pcs)
• Food
• 2 cans Pork and Beans
• 2 cans Sardines
• Granola Bars
• Pet food
  
• Can Opener
• Spoon and Fork (2 sets)
  
• Toiletries
• Tissue Paper
• Extra Set of Clothes
  
• Towel
  
• Cash
• Extra Set of House and Car Keys
• Photocopy of Important Documents (in a waterproof container)
  
• Birth/Marriage Certificates
• IDs and Passport
• Important Numbers

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Basic First Aid Kit Checklist

First Aid Kit

1. Plastic Strips (Band-Aids)
2. Gauze Pad (Mediplast)
3. Adhesive Plaster (Leukoplast, 1.25 cm x 1 m)
4. Antiseptic Wash/Iodine (Rhea Providone Iodine 10% Solution)
5. Ammonia (Rhea Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia)
6. Burn Ointment (United Home)
7. Cold Rub (Rhea/Vicks)
8. Antibiotic Ointment (Terramycin)
9. Anti-Itch Lotion (Caladryl)
10. Anti-Inflammatory/Antipruritic Ointment
    
11. Sterile Eye Wash
12. Rubbing Alcohol
13. Hot/Cold Pack
14. Cotton Buds
15. Cotton Balls
    
16. Thermometer
17. Tweezers
18. Gloves
19. First Aid Guide

If you want an instant basic First Aid Kit, you can buy the set made by Mediplast (available in most drugstores). To check out its contents, click -- Mediplast First Aid Kit.

I have a plastic container that has all the stuff listed above for home use. I bought the Mediplast First Aid Kit for traveling.

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