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perfectlysporadicinternet · 2 months ago

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Protect Yourself This Winter: Common Health Issues And How To Prevent Them

As winter approaches, the chilly weather brings not just festive cheer but also several health challenges. From seasonal flu to skin dryness, the cold months demand extra care for your overall well-being. Here’s a comprehensive guide on common winter health issues and effective prevention strategies.

1. Common Winter Health Issues

Cold and Flu: Seasonal illnesses like the common cold and flu peak during winter due to lower immunity and prolonged indoor stays. These conditions are caused by viruses like influenza and rhinovirus, which spread more easily in cold weather.

Dry Skin: The drop in humidity during winter leads to dehydrated and flaky skin, making it one of the most common concerns of the season. Prolonged exposure to indoor heaters exacerbates the issue.

Joint Pain: Arthritis and joint stiffness tend to worsen as temperatures drop, making it harder for those with chronic conditions to stay active.

Vitamin D Deficiency: Reduced sunlight exposure can lead to lower Vitamin D levels, which affects immunity, mood, and bone health.

Heart Health Risks: Cold weather can increase blood pressure and put additional strain on the heart, especially in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

2. How to Boost Immunity in Winter

A strong immune system is your first line of defence against winter illnesses. Here’s how you can fortify it:

Balanced Diet: Include foods rich in Vitamin C (oranges, lemons) and zinc (pumpkin seeds, spinach). These nutrients play a crucial role in immune function.

Hydration: Even in cold weather, staying hydrated is essential to maintain cellular functions.

Probiotics: Add yoghurt or fermented foods like kimchi to your diet to support gut health, a critical component of overall immunity.

Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep to rejuvenate your immune system.

Incorporating these practices can effectively help in preventing cold and flu in winter.

3. Cold and Flu Prevention Tips

Get Vaccinated: Annual flu shots can significantly reduce your risk of contracting the virus.

Practice Hygiene: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Avoid touching your face unnecessarily.

Ventilate Indoor Spaces: Allow fresh air to circulate indoors to minimize the buildup of germs.

Strengthen Your Environment: Use humidifiers to maintain a balanced indoor environment and prevent dryness that can irritate the respiratory tract.

These winter health issues prevention tips are simple yet powerful in minimizing your chances of falling sick.

4. Best Winter Foods for Health

Nutrition is key to staying healthy in winter. Here are the top foods to include in your diet:

Root Vegetables: Sweet potatoes and carrots are rich in beta-carotene, supporting immunity and skin health.

Citrus Fruits: Oranges, grapefruits, and kiwis provide a generous dose of Vitamin C.

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and flaxseeds offer healthy fats that help keep your skin moisturized and boost heart health.

Spices: Turmeric and ginger are natural anti-inflammatory agents that improve circulation and digestion.

Soups and Broths: Warm, nutrient-rich soups not only comfort but also hydrate your body during dry winter months.

These foods form a winter diet to avoid illnesses while keeping you energetic and warm.

5. Preventing Dry Skin in Winter

To maintain healthy, glowing skin, follow these tips:

Moisturize Regularly: Use a thick, oil-based moisturizer to lock in hydration.

Limit Hot Showers: Hot water can strip your skin of natural oils, so use lukewarm water instead.

Hydrate from Within: Drink plenty of water and consume hydrating foods like cucumbers and oranges.

Protect Your Skin: Wear gloves and scarves to shield your skin from harsh winds and cold air.

Adopting these measures can go a long way in protecting your skin in winter.

6. Tips for Winter Heart Health

Cardiovascular health often takes a hit during winter due to constricted blood vessels from the cold. Here’s how to stay heart-healthy:

Stay Active: Moderate exercise like brisk walking or yoga can improve circulation and strengthen your heart.

Dress Warmly: Layering up helps regulate body temperature and reduces strain on the heart.

Monitor Blood Pressure: Keep track of your BP levels, especially if you’re prone to hypertension.

Consume Omega-3s: Foods like salmon and chia seeds are excellent for heart health.

These tips for winter heart health are crucial for keeping your cardiovascular system in check.

7. Home Remedies for Winter Illnesses

For minor winter ailments, natural remedies can be very effective:

Sore Throat: Gargle with warm salt water or drink ginger tea with honey.

Congestion: Inhale steam infused with eucalyptus oil to clear nasal passages.

Chapped Lips: Apply coconut oil or a beeswax-based balm for instant relief.

Dry Hands: Use aloe vera gel or olive oil for deep hydration.

These home remedies for winter illnesses offer quick relief using readily available ingredients.

Conclusion

Winter can be a challenging time for your health, but with proactive measures, you can stay healthy and enjoy the season. By focusing on a balanced diet, skin care, and immunity-boosting practices, you can prevent common issues like colds, flu, dry skin, and joint pain. Follow these winter health issues prevention tips and make this season a healthy and happy one!

#How to boost immunity in winter #Cold and flu prevention tips #Best winter foods for health #Preventing dry skin in winter #Tips for winter heart health

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knowledgeworld123 · 4 months ago

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HMPV Virus: Their Symptoms, Causes And Prevention

HMPV or Human Metapneumovirus is a respiratory pathogen which has recently been gaining attention due to its upsurge especially in China. The HMPV Virus is a Viral Infection originally discovered in the year 2001 that has been known to cause respiratory infections in individuals of all age groups but is found with more serious consequences in young children, the elderly, and those with an immune-system deficiency.

Symptoms of HMPV Virus

Such close resemblance is the reason why it is very difficult to identify it by its symptoms from the rest of the respiratory viruses. The most apparent include:

Cough:

Often chronic, it may be associated with wheezing.

Fever:

Usually low to moderate.

Nasal Congestion:

Almost always has a runny nose or stuffy nose.

Sore Throat:

Discomfort in the throat may occur.

Shortness of Breath:

More prevalent in severe cases or among high-risk groups.

In some cases, particularly among susceptible populations, HMPV progresses to severe conditions such as bronchiolitis or pneumonitis. In infants and young children, symptoms such as irritability, reduced appetite, and difficulty breathing may appear. An incubation period ranges from 3 to 6 days for HMPV Virus. Most recover within 7 to 10 days.

Causes and Transmission of HMPV Virus

HMPV is a non-segmented and enveloped negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the family of Pneumoviridae. Its transmission occurs through close contact with inhalation or direct contact with the respiratory secretions of infected individuals and can be done through:

Droplets:

Generated by coughs or sneezes from infected individuals.

Direct Contact:

Touching the contaminated surface and touching the face.

Aerosols:

This inhalation route exists but is infrequent.

True, the virus follows a seasonal pattern with a peak in the late winter and spring months, mostly in conjunction with other similar respiratory viruses. HMPV Virus can easily spread through cramped living situations and close contact with infected persons.

Recent Surge in China

In late 2024, China noted a marked increase in HMPV virus cases such proved data from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention that HMPV virus was responsible for 6.2% of positive respiratory illness tests and 5.4% of respiratory-related hospitalizations in this period, exceeding viruses like COVID-19, rhinovirus, and adenovirus. The rise was specifically evident among children aged 14 and under.

WIKIPEDIA

Health authorities have also underscored that no matter how the numbers have risen, it is still in line with what is regarded as the norm for seasonal trends. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also projected increases in respiratory diseases across China and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere in winter within expected seasonal ranges and possesses no more serious global health concern indications.

Prevention And Management of HMPV Virus

As of now, HMPV Virus has no antiviral therapy or vaccine designed specifically against it. Management would therefore focus on control of symptoms and supportive measures in recovery, including:

Symptomatic Treatment:

The use of overthe-counter medications to control fever, cough, and nasal congestions.

Hydration & Rest:

Sufficient fluid intake and rest are very important in boosting the immune system.

Severe Cases:

Patients with marked respiratory difficulties might need to be hospitalized and supported with oxygen therapy.

Preventive Measures of HMPV Virus to controlling Their Transmission

Hand hygiene:

Regular and thorough washing of hands with soap and water.

Respiratory hygiene etiquette:

Cover mouth and nose with tissue or cuff of elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Avoiding close contact:

Keep distance from symptomatic persons with respiratory symptoms.

Disinfection:

Regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

They also recommend not moving from home when symptoms occur to prevent sharing it with others. Without the vaccine, these preventive ways benefit greatly in reducing HMPV circulation.

Conclusion

Concentrates on the upside of an ever-increasing HMPV incidence in China. The fact remains that HMPV is indeed the respiratory virus that has been around for long seasons. Generally speaking, most infections are mild and self-limiting, but high-risk groups require vigilance. Prevention and care-seeking behavior as necessary should be an effective strategy for controlling and managing the impact of HMPV.

#HMPV Virus

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iamsahilparwaiz · 4 months ago

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After Corona HMPV is Coming to india From to China

HMPV [Human metapneumovirus]

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a single-stranded RNA virus, is a global respiratory pathogen that emerged in 2001 in the Netherlands. It is closely related to the avian metapneumovirus (AMPV). HMPV infections are primarily caused by children, the elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals. The disease is endemic in late winter, similar to RSV and influenza, and is often severe in patients with conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a significant drop in immunity. Symptoms and transmission involve the respiratory droplet route, close contacts, and contaminated surfaces. HMPV infection is diagnosed through RT-PCR or immunofluorescent assays, and there are no standardized therapy alternatives or approved vaccines yet. A recent outbreak of HMPV in China in late 2024 was found to surpass other known pathogens and allied respiratory illnesses, including rhinovirus and COVID-19. Rates of infection are on the rise, especially for those below 14 years old, indicating the severity of the virus. Despite its complexity, ongoing research into antiviral therapy and vaccine development is crucial to lessen the global burden of HMPV infection.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FULL OF DETAILS CLICK THE LINK

#indian tumblr #virus #corona virus

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how2fit · 7 months ago

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Baby, it’s cold outside — but that’s no excuse to put your sneakers in hibernation. If you can get past the initial sting of arctic winter air in your face, there are a few unexpected advantages to exercising in cold weather rather than staying in the room-temperature climes of a gym. Here are a few reasons to layer up and take your workout outdoors this winter. 1. You Might Burn a Few Extra Calories Weight tends to creep up in the chillier months, thanks to holiday feasts and let’s just-stay-on-the-couch weather. But there’s evidence that being cold can increase energy expenditure — so if you’re planning to work out, there may be some benefit to taking it outdoors. And while you usually stop shivering pretty quickly during an outdoor workout, the act of warming up can burn calories, too. “Your body does use a considerable amount of energy to warm and humidify the air you breathe when you exercise in the cold,” says Nancy Clark, RD, CSSD, a sports nutritionist in the Boston area. And if your winter workout involves heavy equipment — like a parka, skis, or snow shoes — you’ll also burn a few extra calories lugging that gear around, Clark adds. 2. Heading Outdoors Can Boost Your Mood Light therapy is one of the most common treatments for seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that’s often connected to the lack of sunlight in the dreary winter months. Spending time in the sunshine can help, and exercising outdoors may be particularly effective in managing seasonal depression symptoms. “Exercising outside avoids the doldrums that come with the winter months,” says Tom Holland, M.S., CEO and founder of TeamHolland LLC, a fitness consulting company. And a study at the University of Essex found that “green exercise” — a.k.a. exercising in nature — can improve mood and self-esteem. So while it may be tempting to work out indoors where it’s warm, it’s worth bundling up and��braving the frigid temps. 3. It Helps You Escape the Horde During the “new year, new me” season, you may find your usual gym or studio annoyingly overcrowded — but trails and greenways are typically less crowded in the winter. That means you don’t have to maneuver around a mob of people while you’re running, cycling, or hiking — so you can focus on your form, speed, and mileage instead. 4. It Shields You From Gym Germs Increased attendance at gyms comes in the middle of cold and flu season — which means the shared equipment at your gym can become a petri dish. (Especially since there are always those people who don’t wipe down their equipment after using it.) A study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that 63 percent of exercise equipment is contaminated with rhinovirus, which is the most common cause of colds. Doesn’t that make you want some fresh air? 5. It Just Feels Good It’s invigorating to exercise outside when the weather is brisk. Just make sure you’re dressing the part. Ideally, you’ll want to wear: An outer layer or shell made from a waterproof, windproof fabric like Gore-Tex to guard against wind and rain A middle layer of wool or fleece to act as insulation A synthetic base layer that wicks moisture away from your body, keeping you warm and dry You should also take extra care with your extremities, which are most vulnerable to the effects of the cold. “You can get away with a lot of cold if your head and hands are covered,” Holland says. Mittens are better than gloves at keeping your fingers toasty, and it may also help to invest in polypropylene socks and glove liners, which help warm the hands and feet by wicking moisture away from them. Cold Weather Workout Tips Feeling inspired to create an outdoor fitness regimen this winter? Here’s what you need to know to stay safe in the elements. Wear sunscreen “The sun can still be strong in winter, especially if you live in an area where the added reflection of the sun off of snow is a factor,” Holland says. (Snow reflects up to 80 percent of UV radiation.) Take your time Give your body a few extra minutes to warm up when the temperature is dipping.

Start slowly, since muscles will be colder — and stiffer — at first. Drink plenty of water “If you’re working hard, you are going to sweat, no matter the season,” Holland says. So don’t forget to hydrate like you normally would. Respect the weather Freeze responsibly — if it’s brutally cold or icy outside, you can always stay inside and stream a workout. BODi offers dozens of workout programs that’ll get you strong and fit even when you can’t leave the house. Try more than 100 FREE workouts with BODi Previews.

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pekasairroc · 1 year ago

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This is the nuanced post I vagued about writing earlier this winter and then didn't.

Hi y'all, I am literally one of the people who does the reporting of hospital case count data from the start of the pandemic to now. I have seen the ebb and flow up close and very personal from a poor hospital in NYC. Where we are is far different now than it was in 2021, 2022, and even 2023. Hospital case counts are really low. They're often used as a measure of community case counts by knowing that not everyone gets hospitalized but with higher case counts you'll see people who need hospitalization more and more. This means that the severity is getting lower.

Precautions for immunosuppressed people have always been difficult since there are so many viruses and bacteria and fungi not only in other people but also the environment. It's tough, and the world should absolutely take far more precautions than there currently are in place to protect them (and also everyone else since no one likes getting sick). These precautions are as mentioned: better ventilation, better food/water safety protocols, paid sick leave, free testing for many illnesses, better healthcare, better disability benefits, remote work options, masking when under the weather, surgical masks being part of standard precautions at hospitals, and probably a bunch of other things I could elaborate on. It's not fair! But it's not only because of covid. I hope that covid will be able to show the world more about these issues and make good changes.

There are MANY other viruses that cause respiratory symptoms. We have a respiratory viral panel (RPV) that tests for about 12 or so. Some are major like influenza (which can be very severe and is not the stomach flu!) or common cold viruses like rhinovirus. These viruses rise and fall during the seasons and we'll get patches of parainfluenza vs human metapneumovirus vs RSV vs (non-covid) coronaviruses vs covid vs flu. It's really interesting seeing how they come and go and how a person can get back to back sick with all of these in one season. When I ran the report on Thursday for the last year of RVP results (aka, when the covid/flu PCR came back negative) it was.... mostly rhinovirus, a minor cold. And that's one of the difficult parts about covid: it can present as a minor cold or worse than influenza.

Long covid is my main hesitation, since it is bad! I have seen multiple incidences of it. I don't have a solution or answer or rebuttal against any argument made concerning it besides that post-viral syndromes already being A Thing at small percentages multiplied by an ABSOLUTELY ENORMOUS NUMBER OF INFECTIONS is bound to make A BIG NUMBER. I assume everyone factors long covid into their personal risk assessments, whatever that ends up being. And I push for better protections for everyone like ventilation and healthcare and paid sick leave etc.

I think it's also important to know that if we wanted to eradicate or eliminate covid, we'd have to do far more than 2020 lockdowns. We'd have to do more than what China was doing in 2020 and 2021 and they had really strict lockdowns that didn't fully work. This isn't giving up, but until we have a vaccine that prevents all future infections (which I really want!!!!!).... we have to deal with it as we can. Covid will always be here, like it or not, and I hope that we can make it just another respiratory infection. I don't think we're at that point yet, where it's just another one, but we're getting there.

The world is different now, and while covid's still here and will remain so, it's so much better.

-Holly, MPH CIC

Friends, I think we need to talk about Covid.

I want to get a few caveats out there before I start:

I am aware that there are people who need to exercise extreme caution about Covid; I live with someone who has two solid organ transplants and who is at the most immune compromised level of immune compromised. *I* have to be extremely cautious about covid.

Masking does prevent a certain level of transmission, and people who think they may have covid should mask and people who are concerned that they may be at high risk for covid should mask.

You should be vaccinated and boosted with the most recent vaccines that are available to you; covid is highly transmissible and very serious, you do not want to get covid and if you do get covid you don't want it to be severe and if you do get covid you don't want to give someone else covid and up-to-date vaccinations are the best way to reduce transmission and help to prevent severe cases of Covid.

We should be testing before going to any gatherings, and informing people if we test positive after gatherings, and testing if we suspect we have been exposed.

It is bullshit that there aren't good protections for workers who have covid; you should not be expected to go to work when you are testing positive

It is bullshit that people who are testing positive are not isolating for other reasons; if you have Covid you should not be going out and exposing other people to it even if you are experiencing mild symptoms or no symptoms.

We do need better ventilation systems for many kinds of spaces. Schools need better ventilation, restaurants need better ventilation, doctor's offices and hospitals and office buildings need better ventilation and better ventilation can reduce covid transmission.

I want to make it clear that Covid is real and there are real steps that individuals and systems can take to prevent transmission, and that there are systems that are exerting pressures that needlessly expose people to covid (the fact that you can lose your job if you don't come in when you're testing positive, mainly; also the fact that covid rapid tests should be ubiquitous and cheap/free and are not).

All of that being said: I'm seeing some posts circulating about how we're at an extremely high level of transmission and the REAL pandemic is being hidden from us and, friends, I'm pretty sure that is just incorrect and we're spreading misinformation.

I'm thinking of this video in particular, in which the claim is made that "your mystery illness is covid" in spite of negative tests. The guy in the video says that there's nothing else that millions of people could be getting a day, and that he predicted this because a wastewater spike in December meant that there was a huge spike in cases.

I've also seen people saying that deaths are where they were in 2021-2022, and that we're still at "a 9/11 a week" of excess deaths and friends, I'm not seeing great evidence for any of these claims.

I know that we (in the US, which is where the numbers I'm going to be citing are from) feel abandoned by the CDC and the fact that tracking cut off in May of 2023. But that only cut off for the federal tracking.

I live in LA county and LA county sure as shit is still tracking Covid.

If you want a clearer picture, you can see the daily case count over time compared to the daily death count:

Okay, you might say, but that's just LA.

Alright, so here's Detroit:

Right, but maybe that's CDC data and you don't trust the CDC at this point.

Okay, here's fatalities in New York tracked through New York's state data collection:

It's harder to toggle around the site for South Dakota, but you can compare their cases and hospitalizations and deaths for early 2022

To cases and hospitalizations and deaths from early 2024

And see that there's really no comparison.

Okay, you might say, but people are testing less. If they're testing less of course we're not seeing spikes, and they're testing less because fewer tests are available.

Alright, people are definitely testing less than they were in 2021 and 2022. Hospitalization for Covid is probably the most clear metric because you know those people have covid for sure, the couldn't not test for it.

Here are hospitalizations over time for LA:

Here are hospitalizations over time for New York:

As vaccination rates have gone up, cases, deaths, and hospitalizations have gone down. It IS clear that there are case spikes in the winter, when it is cold and people are indoors in poorly ventilated spaces and people are more susceptible to respiratory infections as a result of cold air weakening the protection offered by our mucous membranes, and that is something that we will have to take precautions about for the forseeable future, just as we should have always been taking similar precautions during flu season.

So I want to go point-by-point through some of the arguments made in that video because I'm seeing a bunch of people talking about how "THEY" don't want you to know about the virus surge and buds that is just straight up conspiracism.

So okay, first off, most of what that video is based on is spikes in wastewater data, not spikes in cases. This is because people don't trust CDC data on cases, but I'd say to maybe check out your regional data on cases. I don't actually trust the CDC that much, but I know people who do tracking of hospitalizations in LA county, I trust them a lot more. Wastewater data does correlate with increases in cases, but this "second largest spike of the entire pandemic" thing is misleading; wastewater reporting is pretty highly variable and you can't just accept that a large spike in covid in wastewater means that we're in just as bad a place in the pandemic as we were in 2022. We simply have not seen the surge of hospitalizations and deaths that we would expect to see in the weeks following that spike in wastewater data if wastewater data was reflective of community transmission.

The next claim is that "there is nothing else that is infecting millions of people a day" and covid isn't doing that either. The highest daily case rates were in January of 2021 and they were in the 865k a day range, which is ridiculously high but isn't millions of cases a day.

But what we can see is that when people are tested by their doctors for Covid, RSV, and the Flu, more tests are coming back positive for the Flu. Covid causes more hospitalizations than the other two illnesses, but to be honest what the people in the video are describing - lightheadedness, dizziness, exhaustion - just sound like pretty standard symptoms of everything from covid to the cold to allergies. There are lots of things your mystery illness could be.

The video goes on to talk about the fact that people aren't testing, and why their tests may be coming back negative and I'd like to point out that the same things are all true of Flu or RSV tests. People might be getting tested too early or too late; getting a negative test for the flu isn't a good reason to assume you've got covid, getting a negative test for covid isn't a good reason to assume you've got the flu, and testing for viruses as a whole is imperfect. There are hundreds of viruses that could be the common cold; there are multiple viruses that can cause bronchitis; there are multiple viruses that can cause pneumonia, and you're not going to test for all of these things the moment you start feeling sick.

He then recommends testing for multiple days if you have symptoms and haven't had a positive test (fine) and talks about the location of the tests (less fine). Don't use your rapid tests to swab your throat or cheek unless it specifically says that they are designed to do so. Test based on the instructions in the packet.

He points out that the tests probably still pick up on the virus because they're not testing for the spike protein, they're testing for the RNA (good info!)

The video then discusses something that I think is really key to this paranoia about the "mystery illnesses" - he talks about how covid changes and weakens your immune system (a statement that should come with many caveats about severity and vulnerability and that we are still researching that) and then says that it makes you more susceptible to strep or mono and that "things that used to clear in a day or two now hit you really hard."

And that's where I think this anxiety is coming from.

Strep throat lasts anywhere from three days to a week. A cold takes about a week to clear. The flu lasts about a week and can knock you on your ass with exhaustion for weeks depending on how bad you get it. Did you get a cough with your cold? Expect that to take anywhere from three to eight weeks to clear up.

I think that people are thinking "i got a bad virus and felt really sick for a week and haven't gotten my energy back" but that just sounds like a bad cold. That sounds like a potent allergy attack. That doesn't even sound like a bad flu (I got a bad flu in 2009 and thought i was going to straight-up die I had a fever of 103+ for three days and felt like shit for three days on either side of that and took six weeks to feel more like myself again).

Getting sick sucks. It really, really sucks. But if you're getting sick and you're testing for covid and it's coming back negative after you tested a few times, it's almost certainly not covid.

The video then says "until someone provides evidence that it's not covid, it should be assumed to be covid because we have record levels of covid it's that simple" but that's not simple. We don't have record levels of covid and he hasn't proved it. We have record high levels of wastewater reports of covid, which correlates with covid cases but the spike in wastewater noted in december didn't see a spike with a corresponding magnitude of cases in terms of either hospitalizations or deaths, which is what we'd have seen if we had actual record numbers of covid.

He says that if you want to ignore this, you'll get sick with covid, and that about 30-40% of the US just got sick with covid in the last four months (which is a RIDICULOUSLY unevidenced claim).

He says that we need to create a new normal that takes covid into account, which means masking more often and testing more often and making choices about risk-avoidant behaviors.

Now, I don't disagree with that last statement, but he prefaces the statement with "it doesn't necessarily mean lockdown" and that's where I think the alarmism and paranoia is really visible here. We are so, so far away from "lockdown" type levels that it's absurd to discuss lockdown here.

What I'm seeing right now is people who are chronically ill, people who are immune compromised, and people who are experiencing long covid (which may not be distinct from other post-viral syndromes from severe cases of flu, etc, but which may be more severe or more notable because of the prevalence of covid) are talking about feeling abandoned and attacked and left behind by society because covid is still out there, and still at extremely high levels.

I am seeing people who feel abandoned and attacked because the lgbtq+ events they are attending don't require masking. I am seeing people who are claiming that it is eugenicist that their schools don't have a negative test policy anymore.

And this comes together into two really disconcerting trends that I've been observing online for a while.

The claim that the pandemic is still as bad as it's ever been and in fact may be worse but we can't know that because "they" (the CDC, the government, capitalist institutions that want you back in the office, the university industrial complex that wants your dorm room dollars) are covering up the numbers and

Significant grievance at the fact that people are acting like number one is not true and are putting you at risk either out of thoughtlessness (because they don't realize they're putting you at risk) or malice (because they don't care if the sick die).

And those things are a recipe for disaster.

I think I've pretty robustly addressed point one; I don't think that there's good evidence that there's a secretly awful surge of covid that nobody is talking about. I think that there are some people who are being alarmist about covid who are basing all of their concern on wastewater numbers that have not held up as the harbinger of a massive wave of infections.

So let's talk about point number two and JK Rowling.

Barnes and Noble is not attacking you when it puts up a Hogwarts Castle display in the lobby. Your favorite youtuber isn't trying to hurt you when they offhandedly mention Harry Potter.

If you let every mention of Harry Potter or every person who enjoys that media franchise wound you, you are going to spend a lot of your time wounded.

People are not liking Harry Potter at you.

Okay.

People are also not not wearing masks at you.

You may be part of a minority group that experiences the potential for outsized harm as a result of majority groups engaging in perfectly reasonable behaviors.

There are kind, well-meaning, sensible people who go out every day and do something that may cause you harm and it's not because they want to hurt you or they don't care about whether you live or die, it is because they are making their own risk assessments based on their own lives and making the very reasonable assumption that people who are more concerned about covid than they are will take precautions to keep themselves safe.

We are not at a place in the pandemic where it is sensible to expect people with no symptoms of illness to mask in public as a matter of course or to present evidence of a recent negative test when entering a public building in their day-to-day life.

I think now is a really good time to sit down and ask yourself how you expect things to be with covid as an endemic part of our viral ecosystem. I think now is a good time to ask yourself what risk realistically looks like for you and for people who are unlike you. I think now is a good time to consider what would feel "safe" for you and how you could accomplish feeling safe as you navigate the world.

I'm probably going to continue masking in most indoor spaces for years. Maybe forever. There are accommodations that SHOULD be afforded to people who have to take more precautions than others (remote learning, remote visits, remote work, etc.), and we should demand those kinds of accommodations.

But it is going to poison you from the inside out if you are perpetually angry that people who don't have the same medical limitations as you are happy that they get to go shopping with their faces uncovered.

So now I want to talk to you about my father in law.

My father in law had a bone marrow transplant in 2015. That's the most immune compromised you can get without having your organs swapped out.

The care sheet for him after the transplant was a little overwhelming. The list of foods he couldn't eat was intimidating and the limitations on where he could go was depressing. It cautioned against going to large events, it recommended outdoor gatherings where possible but only if he could avoid sunlight and was somewhere with no history of valley fever. It said that he should wear masks indoors any time he was someplace with poor ventilation and that he should avoid contact with anyone who had an illness of any kind, taking special note to avoid children and anyone recently vaccinated for measles.

It was, in short, pretty much what someone immune compromised would need to do to try to avoid a viral infection. Sensible. Reasonable. Wash your hands and social distance; wear masks in sensitive contexts and don't spend time in enclosed places with people who have a communicable illness.

This is what life was always going to be like for people who are severely immune compromised, and it was always going to be incumbent upon the person with the illness to figure out how to operate in a society that is not built with them in mind.

It is not the job of every parent I encounter to tell me whether their child has been vaccinated against measles or chicken pox in the last three months. That isn't something that people need to do as part of their everyday life. However it IS my responsibility to check with the parents I'm hanging out with whether their children have been vaccinated against measles or chicken pox in the last three months so I know if it's safe for my immune compromised spouse to be around them.

If you want an environment in which you feel safe from covid, at this point in the pandemic (when the virus is endemic and not spreading rapidly as far as we can see from case counts) it is your responsibility to take the steps necessary to make you feel safe. Some of those steps will involve advocating for safety improvements in public spaces (again, indoor ventilation needs to be better and I'm personally pretty extreme about vaccination requirements; these are things we should be discussing in our school board meetings and at our workplaces), some of those steps will involve advocating for worker protections, guaranteed sick time, and the right to healthcare. But some of the things you're going to need to do to feel safe are going to come down to you.

If you are concerned about communicable diseases you have to be realistic about the fact that our society doesn't go out of its way to prevent communicable diseases - norovirus among food service workers pre-pandemic is pretty clear evidence of that. You are going to have to be proactive about your safety rather than expecting the world to act like Covid is at 2021-2022 levels when it is measurably not.

#long post #now to be called a eugenicist #after getting eye rolls from some people at work simply because I suggested some precautions are Good #I will take whatever precautions are asked of me in order to attend events or visit and I ALWAYS mask with patients #I used to take every person not masking as a direct middle finger and spitting on me personally #it is a poisonous mindset and you have to get out of that way of thinking

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reversioning · 9 months ago

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The average person does believe in spontaneous generation to some extent. We have superconductors and people are telling each other that you get viral respiratory illness from being exposed to low temperatures. That's why it's called the cold, right? We landed on the moon 55 years ago and people think rhinovirus spontaneously appears in your body as punishment for not wearing your winter coat. The average high school graduate still winds up thinking that, on some level, a virus is a kind of evil spirit that can be warded off with the right lifestyle.

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sidshrek6 · 1 year ago

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COMMOM COLD CAUSES

The common cold is a group of symptoms caused by a number of different viruses. There are more than 100 different varieties of rhinovirus, the type of virus responsible for the greatest number of colds. Other viruses that cause colds include enteroviruses (echovirus and coxsackieviruses) and coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. Because there are so many viruses that cause the symptoms of the common cold, people may have multiple colds each year and dozens over a lifetime.

Children under six years average six to eight colds per year (up to one per month, September through April), with symptoms lasting an average of 14 days. This means that a child could be ill with intermittent cold symptoms for nearly half of the days in this time period, without cause for concern. Young children in daycare appear to suffer from more colds than children cared for at home. However, when day-care children enter primary school, they catch fewer colds, presumably because they are already immune to a larger number.

Seasonal patterns — The common cold may occur at any time of year, although most colds occur during the fall and winter months, regardless of the geographic location. Colds are not caused by cold climates or being exposed to cold air.

Transmission — Colds are transmitted from person-to-person, either by direct contact or by contact with the virus in the environment. Colds are most contagious during the first two to four days.

Preventive measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic (eg, mask-wearing, avoiding crowds) have slowed the overall spread of cold viruses in children.

Direct contact — People with colds typically carry the cold virus on their hands, where it is capable of infecting another person for at least two hours. If a child with a cold touches another child or adult, who then touches their eye, nose, or mouth, the virus can later infect that person.

Infection from particles on surfaces — Some cold viruses can live on surfaces (such as countertops, door handles, or toys) for up to one day.

Inhaling viral particles — Droplets containing viral particles can be exhaled into the air by breathing or coughing. Rhinoviruses are not usually transmitted as a result of contact with infected droplets, although influenza virus and coronavirus can be transmitted via small droplets. Cold viruses are not usually spread through saliva.

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parttimereporter · 1 year ago

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The LA TIMES is reporting that COVID and the flu are hitting people hard at the same time..

The simultaneous sickness is another wrinkle in an already hectic respiratory virus season. Although hospitals are not nearly as crowded as during the emergency phase of the pandemic, they are becoming increasingly so — with Los Angeles County recently entering the "medium" COVID-19 hospitalization category outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the first time this winter. "Some of these patients are testing positive for more than one virus — influenza definitely likes to travel with COVID. [And] we're seeing an outbreak of RSV," said Dr. Daisy Dodd, an infectious disease specialist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. The viral cocktail could also include coronavirus or flu with RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, simultaneously. Sometimes a common cold virus, like rhinovirus, is in the mix.

#covid-19 #the flu #winter #health #pandemic

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cinziashan · 2 years ago

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Cold And Cough Home Remedies

Cold and cough are common problems that trouble us often during the winter season. These problems can be due to viral infection, infection, allergy, cold etc. Therefore, we should adopt suitable Cold And Cough Home Remedies to protect our body.

Cold and cough is a common illness that affects your respiratory system. It usually occurs during weather like winter, when your body is under the influence of cold and stuffiness. Its main symptoms may include headache, nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, cough and sore throat.

Common colds are often caused by viral infections, which can be caused by viruses such as influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This disease can also be caused by bacterial infections, such as sinusitis and bronchitis.

The most important thing in the treatment of cold and cough is rest and drinking enough water. You can gargle with warm water or warm salt water as a home remedy, which helps in reducing nasal congestion and sore throat. Other treatments may include sleeping pills, cough suppressants, nasal decongestants, and over-the-counter medications if you have a cold.

If your cold and cough persists for a long time, more severe symptoms appear or you have a high fever, you should consult a doctor .

What are the symptoms of cold cough

Cold and cough are common types of infectious respiratory tract diseases that usually last for a few days without treatment. It can manifest in a variety of forms ranging from mild to severe, including cold, cough, runny nose, nasal irritation, sore throat, headache, fatigue and body aches.

Common symptoms can be:

. dry and hoarse cough

. watery nose or sneezing

. cough intermittently for hours

. chest tension and pain

. sore throat or pain

. stuffy or runny nose

. rise in temperature

. Dryness or sore throat

. feeling tired or weak

. headache or body aches

What are the causes of cold and cough

Cold and cough can be caused by many different reasons. They are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but can have other causes as well. Here are some major reasons:

1. Virus Infection: Viruses can be the major causes of cold and cough. For example, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronavirus, rhinovirus, etc. can cause cold and cough.

2. Bacterial Infection: Bacterial infection can also be the cause of cold and cough. For example, a bacterial infection such as strep throat can cause a cough.

3. Allergies: Many people get colds and coughs easily when they are allergic to something specific, such as dust, smoke, dust mites, flower blossoms, or pet dander pollution.

4. Sunlight or cold: Excessive exposure to sunlight or cold can also cause cold and cough.

5. Dust, pollution and smoke: Dust, pollution or smoke present in the environment can also cause cold and cough.

6. Other causes: Other causes of cold and cough may be involved, such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, atmospheric pollution, changes in the lines in the back of the throat, medication, poor digestion, or a weakened immune system.

7 home remedies to control cold and cough

Cold and cough is a common problem, which bothers you especially in the winter season. When these problems occur, your body feels cold and you have cough, cold, nasal congestion. Apart from this, this problem can also affect your daily routine, sleep and general life.

If you are in a situation where you want to avoid medicines or if you do not have immediate medical access for treatment, there are some effective and safe Cold And Cough Home Remedies for you. These home remedies can help you get relief and control your disease.

1. Warm water and salt gargle: Gargling with warm water mixed with a little salt is an effective remedy for cold and cough. It helps in removing phlegm from your throat and gives you relief.

2. Consumption of honey and garlic: Mixing one spoon of honey with crushed garlic and eating it provides relief in cold and cough. It helps in strengthening your physical immunity.

3. Ginger and honey juice: Grind a small piece of ginger and extract its juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. Taking this mixture daily provides relief in cold and cough. The antioxidants present in ginger strengthen your immune system and help control cough.

4. Nutmeg and milk: Mix a little nutmeg in a glass of warm milk and drink it. The antibacterial properties of nutmeg will help in reducing your cold and cough and the milk will keep you warm.

5. Lemon water: Mixing lemon juice and honey in warm water and drinking it will benefit you from cold and cough. Lemon is a good source of Vitamin C and strengthens your immune system.

6. Celery smoke: Roast celery on a pan and smoke it. This will help in making your breath healthy and reduce the cough.

7. Keep warm with home remedies. Staying warm during winter is important for your health. You should stay in a warm place, wear nice clothes and drink hot beverages.

Cold cough what things should be avoided

At the time of cold and cough, avoiding the following can help improve your health:

1. Avoid cold substances: Avoid exposure to cold or staying in places with high temperature. You should stay away from cold air, cold water or cold beverages.

2. Consume warm foods: Consuming warm foods can help soothe your throat. Drinking warm water mixed with lemon and honey, hot broth, jalebi etc. can reduce your cough.

3. Take high rest: You will need enough rest for your body. Take maximum rest, get enough sleep at night and avoid physical stress.

4. Warm up: Exercising at a moderate pace can warm up your body and help improve your breathing. Yoga and pranayama can also increase your breathing capacity.

5. Maintain hydration: Drinking enough water will help keep your body hydrated and help your throat make valuable secretions. Drinking warm water, herbal teas and broths may also be beneficial.

6. Do steam inhalation: Put some developed salt in a pot of hot water and inhale by pushing. This can reduce the soreness of your nose and throat.

7. Stay away from things: You should avoid smoking, dust and fumes, as they can make your breathing worse.

8. Consult a doctor: If your cold and cough is increasing over a long period of time or is severe, then you must consult a doctor. They will properly determine your problem and suggest appropriate treatment.

Apart from these home remedies, you should eat nutritious food to keep yourself warm, take adequate rest, maintain good hygiene and exercise regularly to avoid cold and cough.

You must consult a doctor if your cold and cough persists for a longer period of time or is more severe. The doctor will provide you with the correct diagnosis and treatment. If your cold and cough is very severe or increasing since days, I would recommend you to consult a professional doctor.

Note that these home remedies are for common ailments and should not be tried without professional guidance. First consult your doctor or consult your local Ayurvedic Vaidya, then choose the best remedy for you.

For more information visit the link: https://cookingkhajana.in/cold-and-cough-home-remedies/

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mohitvatra · 2 years ago

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Cold And Cough Home Remedies

If your cold and cough persists for a long time, more severe symptoms appear or you have a high fever, you should consult a doctor.